Ripe, succulent mangos exude a lush, tropical perfume and flavor that makes one long for warm beaches and gentle trade winds. Tastes from gardens in warmer zones can be brought indoors by intrepid gardeners. These mango tree maintenance instructions can help you reap the rewards of your efforts in just a few short years if you reside in a tropical or subtropical area. It is no wonder why home gardeners would love to add a delicious mango tree to their own yard.
Optimal Growing Conditions For Mango Trees
It is more likely for mango trees that are planted in the ground to give fruit as opposed to those that are grown in pots. It might be a challenge to keep an indoor mango tree alive for the necessary amount of time for it to mature and produce fruit.
If they are given a enough amount of sunlight, dwarf types that are suited for containers, such as the spotted mango dwarf tree, are able to produce fruit. Summer and fall are often the best times to harvest its fruit, however this timing can vary greatly from place to region. Be aware, too, that the sap, the bark, and even the skin of the fruit can be poisonous to people.
Evaluate if you have an appropriate atmosphere. Mango trees, once planted, don't need much in the way of upkeep, but they do have specific environmental requirements that they must meet in order to produce fruit. Mangoes do best in extremely hot conditions, but they are hardy enough to grow in either humid or desert environments.
The majority of mangoes are grown in regions close to the equator; nonetheless, the state of Florida is the primary producer of mangoes in the United States. Mangoes are easy to cultivate if you have a climate that ranges from around 27 to 38 degrees Celsius (80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) on an annual basis and has mild winters that do not experience freezing temperatures. It is not recommended that your region receive more than one foot (30.5 cm) of rain per year.
A mango tree, also known as Mangifera indica, can be an intriguing specimen whether it is planted in the soil or in a huge container. However, growing a mango tree can be challenging. In the correct conditions, this tree will reward you with white blooms between the months of December and March.
It will also create a dense canopy consisting of long, oblong green leaves. Mango trees don't start producing fruit until about three to five months after they've bloomed.
How To Grow Mango Trees
When to Plant
The best time to plant a mango tree is in the spring when the weather is still mild. However, be sure it will not be exposed to any frost.
Selecting a Planting Site
A sunny location with looser, well-draining soil is ideal for growing mango trees. When choosing a location for the tree's planting, it is important to take into account the mature size of the tree as well as the location's closeness to other crops and structures. For the more compact mango tree species, growing in containers is a viable choice.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
The mango type that you are growing will determine the spacing requirements. In addition to the height, you need measure the breadth of the mature canopy to ensure that your tree will have sufficient space to mature. The depth at which seedlings were kept in their nursery containers while they were growing should be maintained when they are planted.
You should plant seeds at a depth of about half an inch. It is possible that young plants will require staking as they mature, particularly in environments with high wind speeds.
Care & Maintenance
Light
Full daylight is necessary for the growth of mango trees, which should receive at least 8 hours of direct sunshine on the majority of days. If they do not receive sufficient light, their flower and fruit output will be negatively affected. Even while it is possible to grow plants well indoors in a window that faces south, it is in the best interest of the plant to spend as much time as possible in direct sunlight outside.
Soil
These trees are able to thrive in a wide range of soil conditions. However, the ideal soil is a sandy loam that is not too heavy and has good drainage. The pH of the soil can vary from mildly acidic to moderately alkaline depending on the conditions.
Water
Mango trees have a moderate tolerance for drought, but prolonged exposure to dry conditions can have a detrimental effect on fruit output. It is preferable to water the tree anytime the top couple of inches of soil get dry, but the tree should not be allowed to sit in soil that is too wet.
Temperature and Humidity
The humidity around a mango tree should be at least 50 percent; if the air in your home is dry, spritz the tree every day. In addition to this, make sure that your tree is kept at a temperature that is over 70 degrees. Freezing temperatures are fatal to mango trees; in fact, temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the trees' blossoms and fruit to fall off.
Harvesting Your Mango Tree
It takes at least between five and eight years for a mango tree grown from seed to yield fruit, whereas a sapling purchased from a nursery should start producing fruit in approximately four years. After the mango tree has produced flowers, the fruit doesn't become mature for another three to five months.
The type of fruit determines the color of the fruit when it is fully mature. The fruit is normally picked by hand, and careful handling is required in order to prevent the skin from becoming damaged. Picking fruit and smelling it to determine whether or not it has a pleasant aroma is one method of determining whether or not it is ready to be harvested.
If you choose fruit that is not yet ripe, you can put it in a paper bag and leave it at room temperature so that it can continue to ripen over the course of several days. Either the raw or cooked form of the mango can be consumed. It is common practice to use immature mango fruit for making pickled mango. Keep fruit that has reached its peak ripeness in the refrigerator and consume it within seven days at the most. It is also possible to freeze it.
Common Pests & Diseases For Mango Trees
Mealybugs, aphids, and mites may infest mango. Infestation symptoms include plant webs, white residue, and insects. Treat infestations quickly to prevent them from spreading. If your early efforts fail, try more toxic poisons. Anthracnose fungus affects mango plants. Infected trees stop fruiting.
Planting a resistant type in full sun helps remove moisture quickly. Anthracnose and other fungal diseases thrive in high humidity. Copper-based fungicides can be beneficial on anthracnose on mango trees, but not 14 days before harvest.