Native to India, this exotic plant adapts well to all warm latitudes and can also be grown in pots from its seed. Planting mango seeds in pots is a very simple process that will allow you to enjoy the beauty of this special tropical plant and make it the queen of the balcony at home.
Mango is easy to plant and cultivate, but if we want it to bear fruit, we must equip ourselves with patience and space. In fact, in nature, the mango grows quickly to become a tree even 25 meters high, capable of producing thirst-quenching and vitamin-rich fruits in large quantities, something that in captivity is only possible under certain conditions: space and grafting.
When to Plant Mango Seeds
The most suitable seasons for growing mango are late spring or, better still, early summer. This season is in fact characterized by mild temperatures and longer days, which allow the seedling to enjoy a greater number of hours of sunshine.
The mango, on the other hand, is a plant that does not tolerate temperature changes and for this reason the mild temperatures are ideal for sowing, for growth but also for keeping it alive. To protect the plant from temperature changes during the colder months, it is recommended to take the same measures used to protect lemon plants (ie plastic or fabric covers) or bring the plant indoors (as long as it can be illuminated by direct light for several hours).
Planting Mango: Germination
Germinating the mango seed before planting it in the ground allows for sufficient strengthening of the young roots, which are more likely to take root and grow our seedling.
The best way to germinate the mango is to use a plastic bag or food container as an “incubator”. To germinate, the mango must follow three basic steps:
- First, the mango seed must be extracted from the shell . This is a delicate operation in which care must be taken to clean the seed extracted from the shells, but above all not to damage it.
- In a second step, it is necessary to create an artificial home for the seed. To do this, it is necessary to moisten a sheet of kitchen paper and place the mango seed inside, without suffocating it or pulling it too tightly. At this point, everything must be placed in the food container or in the transparent plastic bag: everything is fine as long as it can be closed to keep the humidity high.
- The care of germinated mango seeds is very important. The sheets of paper in which it was wrapped should be changed at least once a week and must always remain moist (for this purpose we can use a plant mister). It takes a few days for the mango seed to take root and about two weeks for it to start germinating. When the sprout is about 4 centimeters high, it can be planted in the ground.
How to Plant Mango Seeds
When the root is strong and the sprout is vigorous, it is time to plant the mango seed and the ideal place is a pot that is not too large, about 10 cm in diameter, which is enough to accommodate the seedling and let it grow in the first phase of its life, and then transfer to a larger pot .
As soil, it is advisable to use universal soil, easily available in supermarkets and garden centers, enriched with homemade compost. The seed must be planted by cutting , that is, with the root downwards and the sprout upwards. If the root is half-wrapped near the sprout, do not worry: when the mango seed is in the pot, the root will sink naturally. It is important to remember that the sprout must remain outside the soil.
How to Grow the Mango Plant
The mango plant needs a lot of water, especially during the growth phase, so it is necessary to water it regularly to prevent the soil from drying out completely, but without creating stagnations that could cause it to suffer.
When the mango plant has strengthened, the stem must be cut at the level of the first node. This operation will serve to strengthen it and give impetus to its growth. The plant should also be placed in a place that has plenty of light but not excessive direct sunlight, especially during the hottest hours of hot summer days.
You can check the health status by the leaves, the color of which should be bright and the appearance long and relaxed. The mango plant grows quickly, but a healthy and robust plant is not enough to bear fruit.
To make the mango plant fruitful you need a graft and it is therefore advisable to contact a specialized nursery, alternatively you can choose the seed of a local mango variety such as those grown organically in southern Italy and especially in Sicily.
When Mango Bears Fruit
Mango is a very special plant and takes years to bear fruit, considering that a mango plant born from seed can take up to eight years to bear fruit (but it may not even be successful if it is not grafted); while the grafts instead produce the fruit after 3-5 years, guaranteeing a good harvest.
Generally, at three or four years of age, the mango produces 10-20 fruits per tree, increasing to 50-75 fruits in the following years and around 500 fruits in the tenth year. Obviously, the plant grows from year to year and this is transferred to increasingly larger pots or soils capable of expanding its roots.
Having a mango tree that bears fruit is truly a privilege, because this fruit is a true elixir of well-being that can be enjoyed in different ways. Mango, in particular, is a good source of vitamin C, vitamins, minerals and fiber that helps the lazy intestine.
In addition, among its properties it is worth mentioning its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties due to the presence of flavonoids such as quercetin.
