Mango Growing Guide
Mangifera indica
![Mango]()
Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous ●
Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
No. Mangoes are tropical evergreen trees with little tolerance for cold. They are hardy only to about -1°C (30°F).
Feeding
Mulch over the root zone of the plant with rich compost twice a year.
Spacing
Single Plants: 6.00m (19' 8") each way (minimum)
Rows: 6.00m (19' 8") with 6.00m (19' 8") row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
You can sprout and grow a seed saved from a purchased mango, but even under ideal tropical conditions the tree will not bear for at least seven years. Container-grown trees are usually grafted plants of selected named cultivars, which start bearing light crops in three years. Set out container-grown trees in the wet season in tropical climates. Young plants need regular water their first season and become more drought tolerant after they are well rooted. Cultivated mangoes are kept small, to 6 m (20 feet) tall and wide to make the fruit easy to harvest. Container growing is not recommended. Mangoes can be grown in pots for a year or two but will not reach their productive potential until after they are planted in the ground.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Native to India, mango is the national tree of Bangladesh. Mangoes are tropical trees that grow best in climates with cool, dry winters and hot, steamy summers. Improved cultivars that grow best in various parts of the world are available. Mangoes benefit from pruning once a year after the fruit is harvested. Prune to control the plant’s size and to remove crowded branches.
Harvesting
Mangoes are ready to harvest when they start to change colour and feel very slightly soft when squeezed. Wearing gloves and a long-sleeved shirt, cut mature green mango clusters and let them finish ripening in a shady place. Mango sap can be highly irritating and also can cause blemishes on otherwise perfect fruits.
Troubleshooting
A fungal disease called mango anthracnose causes flowers to turn brown, with numerous dark spots on leaves. Plants often recover in dry weather, and resistant varieties may be locally available.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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