Mango trees (Mangifera indica) are tropical fruit-bearing trees known for their delicious and juicy mango fruits. Growing a mango tree can be a rewarding experience, but it requires proper care and attention to ensure its health and productivity. Here’s a comprehensive care guide for growing mango trees, read on.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Mangifera indica, commonly known as mango, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae. Since their domestication in southeastern Asia, mangoes have been introduced to other warm regions of the world.
The tree grows best in well-drained sandy loam; it does not grow well in heavy wet soils. The optimal pH of the soil should be between 5.2 and 7.5.
Mangifera indica is a large green tree, valued mainly for its fruits, both green and ripe. Approximately 500 (with more than 1000 wild which are unreported as each monoembryonic seed gives a new variety of mango) varieties have been reported in India. It can grow up to 15–30 metres (50–100 feet) tall with a similar crown width and a trunk circumference of more than 3.7 m (12 ft). The leaves are simple, shiny and dark green.
Red-yellow flowers appear at the end of winter, and also at the beginning of spring. Both male and female flowers are borne on same tree. Climatic conditions have a significant influence on the time of flowering. In South Asia, flowering starts in December in the south, in January in Bengal, in February in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and in February–March in northern India. The duration of flowering is 20–25 days for the Dasheri variety, while panicle emergence occurs in early December and flower opening is completed by February. The Neelum variety produces two crops a year in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, but it flowers only once in North Indian conditions.
The mango is an irregular, egg-shaped fruit which is a fleshy drupe. Mangos are typically 8–12 centimetres (3–5 inches) long and greenish yellow in color. The fruits can be round, oval, heart, or kidney shaped. Mango fruits are green when they are unripe. The interior flesh is bright orange and soft with a large, flat pit in the middle. Mangos are mature in April and May. Raw mangos can be used in the making of pickles and chutneys. Ripe mangos are a popular fruit throughout the world. The skin and pulp account for 85% of the mango’s weight, and the remaining 15% comes from the stone (seed).
Urushiols in the fruit peel can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitised individuals. This reaction is more likely to occur in people who have been exposed to other plants from the family Anacardiaceae, such as poison oak and poison ivy, which are widespread in the United States.
The wood is known to produce phenolic substances that can cause contact dermatitis.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Mango trees require full sun, meaning at least eight hours of direct sunlight on most days. Their flower and fruit production will suffer if they don’t get enough light. A south-facing window indoors can work, but it’s best to move the pot outside as much as possible for full sunlight exposure.
Temperature and Humidity
Mango trees prefer humidity above 50 percent; mist an indoor tree daily if the air is dry. Also, keep your tree as warm as possible, ideally above 70 degrees. Mango trees can’t tolerate freezing, and even temperatures in the 40s can cause flowers and fruit to drop.
Watering
Mango trees have some drought tolerance, though drought can negatively impact fruit production. It’s best to water whenever the top couple inches of soil dries out, but do not let the tree sit in soggy soil.
Soil
These trees can tolerate a variety of soil types. But a sandy loam that’s light and well-draining is best. The soil pH can range from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (5.5 to 7.5).
Fertilizing
These trees don’t need a lot of fertilizer, and if you already have rich soil, you likely won’t have to provide supplemental feeding. A slow-release balanced fertilizer can be applied in poor soil conditions, following label instructions.
How to Grow in Pots
Most dwarf mango trees typically reach 4 to 8 feet tall, making them ideal for growing in pots. With container growth, you can keep your tree in an easily accessible spot for harvesting, and you don’t have to dedicate a lot of garden space to it.
The best time to plant mango trees in containers is in the spring. Choose a container at least 20 inches tall and wide with ample drainage holes. An unglazed clay container is best because it will allow excess soil moisture to escape through its walls. Place it on a plant caddie with rolling casters for easy mobility.
Pruning
Pruning typically should occur every year or two after the tree bears fruit to keep its size manageable. The trees can tolerate heavy pruning, though fruit production can take a season to bounce back. Thin some canopy branches to improve air flow and allow sunlight to reach the remaining branches. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches as they arise.
Propagation
Mango trees are typically grown from seed or grafted nursery trees. It’s also possible to grow them from cuttings. Though cuttings don’t always result in a strong root system, it is an inexpensive and easy way to create new trees. The best time to do so is in the summer. Here’s how:
- Cut a 6- to 8-inch portion of a young, thin branch from a healthy mango tree, and remove the leaves on the lower half. Also, remove any flowers or fruit.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant the cutting in a small container with moistened soilless potting mix. The container should have drainage holes.
- Put the container in a warm, humid spot with bright, indirect light. And keep the growing medium moist but not soggy. Adding a heat mat under the container to keep the soil between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit can help to promote root growth. It can take several weeks to have substantial root growth.
How to Grow From Seed
To germinate mango seeds, carefully remove the outer hairy husk to reveal the inner seed. Polyembryonic plants, such as the mango tree, have seeds with several smaller seeds inside, while other plants have just one seed.
You can suspend a seed over water like an avocado seed to develop roots. Or you can plant it with the bulging side up about 1/2 inch deep in a container of a seed-starting mix. It should sprout within two weeks. Keep the seed in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and keep the growing medium moist but not soggy. Wait to plant the sprouted seed in a larger container until its second growing season begins.
Potting and Repotting
A well-draining potting mix for citrus plants or palms is suitable for potting mangoes. Mango trees will grow into small trees fairly quickly (in about four or five years) and require repotting when they become root-bound or too top-heavy for the pot. The timing of this can vary depending on your pot size and variety of tree.
To repot, gently remove the tree from its old container, place it at the same depth it was previously growing in a larger container, and fill around it with fresh potting mix. Then, water it deeply, ensuring the excess water drains out of the container.
Overwintering
Potted mango trees should be brought indoors for the winter before the temperature dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Place them by a bright, south-facing window, and use grow lights if necessary. The trees should be kept warm and protected from drafts.
Pests and Diseases
Mango may suffer from some common insect pests, including mealybugs, aphids, and mites. Signs of infestation include tiny webs on plants, clumps of white powdery residue, and visible insects. Treat infestations as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading to the rest of your collection. Start with the least toxic treatment option, progressing to more serious chemicals only if your initial efforts fail.
Mango plants also are susceptible to anthracnose, a fungal disease causing black lesions that gradually spread. Seriously infected trees stop producing fruit. The best preventive measure is to plant a resistant variety in full sun, where moisture will quickly evaporate.
Extreme humidity fosters anthracnose and other fungal diseases. Copper-based fungicides can sometimes be effective against anthracnose on mango trees, but you should not use fungicides within 14 days of a planned fruit harvest.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Mango tree is a fruit-bearing evergreen tree commonly found in tropical and subtropical gardens. It is prized for its fragrant blossoms and long, dense green leaves. These leaves can be used as fodder for cattle, and is good for boundaries. The timber can be used for furniture. Mango tree is a shade-providing feature plant in tropical gardens Plant with Marigolds or Mint to deter pests.
The tree is more known for its fruit rather than for its timber. However, mango trees can be converted to lumber once their fruit-bearing lifespan has finished. The wood is susceptible to damage from fungi and insects. The wood is used for musical instruments such as ukuleles, plywood and low-cost furniture.
The bark is used to produce a yellow dye.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
A mango tree from seed requires at least five to eight years to bear fruit; a nursery sapling should produce fruit in about four years.
The mango fruit takes three to five months to ripen after the tree has flowered. The color of the ripe fruit depends on the variety. The fruit is typically harvested by hand and must be handled gently to avoid breaking the skin.
One way to test for readiness is to pick fruit and sniff it to see if it has a sweet scent. If you pick unripe fruit, you can place it in a paper bag at room temperature to ripen further over several days. Mango can be eaten raw or cooked. Immature fruit is often used to make pickled mango. Store fully ripe fruit in the refrigerator, and aim to use it within a week. It also can be frozen.