The mango is a popular fruit because of its sweet aroma. The natural range of Mangif.webpera indica extends across the Indian subcontinent and from there it is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. As tasty as the fruits of the species are, the tree, which is becoming more and more common in European gardens, is just as appealing. Best of all, you can grow your own specimen from a single mango seed.

mango varieties

Which mango varieties are suitable?

Before you can plant the mango seed, you should think about the variety used. The reason for this is not the aroma, because mango trees do not produce fruit due to the temperatures in Europe, but in the growth height. In their homeland and comparable growing areas, the trees reach heights of up to 45 meters and their crowns up to 30 meters wide, which is too big even for many German gardens. Since the mango has to be kept as a container plant in Germany, such dimensions are of course not feasible, even if planting would work. On the other hand, rely on the following varieties that remain small:

  • 'cogshall'
  • 'Carrie'
  • 'ness'
  • 'Nam Doc Mai'
  • 'palmer'
  • 'Irvin'
  • 'King Thai'
  • ,Sensation'

The two varieties 'Cogshall' and 'Carrie' are the easiest to get in Europe. On average, these varieties reach a height of 2.5 to 3 meters, which makes them ideal for container planting. In addition, mango trees can be easily pruned, reducing the height and crown diameter. However, just looking for a specific strain is not enough, as where you source it from is just as important. Mango kernels from fruits from the classic supermarket are no longer germinable for the following reasons:

  • Treatment with germ-inhibiting agents
  • early harvest and chilling
  • long transport routes

The pits of the mango cannot develop sufficiently in this way, which limits the ability to germinate to such an extent that the fruit is really only suitable for consumption. If you want to grow a mango, you should either buy an untreated fruit from an organic store or fruit store. These fruits are also exposed to the long transport routes, but they are not treated with germ-inhibiting agents, which has a positive effect on germination. Alternatively, you can buy seed that has already been prepared in specialist shops or special internet shops, which in many cases can even be quite cheap.

Tip: the only growing region for mangoes in Europe is in southern Spain on the Costa del Sol and on the Canary Islands, as there is enough sun for the sun-seeking trees. This means that if you live in these regions, you can even look forward to fruit-bearing specimens after waiting three to five years.

Cultivation of the mango plant

Aids for mango cultivation

Prepare mango kernel

In order to be able to grow a mango from the mango stone, you have to prepare it accordingly to get it ready to germinate. The first step is to remove the core from the pulp so that it can be cleaned. Proceed as follows:

  • wear gloves - mango seeds contain substances that irritate the skin
  • generously cut off the pulp
  • You can of course eat this, mix it into a smoothie or use it in other ways
  • be careful not to damage the core
  • now let the core dry for a while
  • then remove the remaining pulp with a root brush
  • the core should no longer be slippery
Prepare the mango stone

After cleaning, the mango stone needs to be broken open so you can get to the seed, which you will end up planting in the ground. All you need is a sharp knife, which you guide very carefully from the tip of the core sleeve over the side and then pry open. Now the core pod should be able to be opened and reveal a seed inside. This is reminiscent of a flat bean in the following colors:

  • Brown
  • light green
  • whitish-green
Break open the mango stone

On the other hand, if the mango stone is gray in color and shriveled up, it cannot be used. In this case it is no longer viable and should be disposed of. However, if you find a healthy seed after opening it, prepare it for planting using one of the following methods:

  1. Soaking: with this variant you have to subject the mango kernel to a so-called “scarification”. That means you either scratch the surface with a knife or rub the core with sandpaper. This wound puts him in a germ mood. Soak the mango stone for a period of 24 hours, then remove it from the water and place it in a freezer bag, wrapped in a damp cloth. Now the bag is stored warm for about two weeks. During this time, the first roots form, followed by a seedling.
  2. Drying: the core must be completely dry for drying. Then put it on a windowsill or another place that is warm and sunny but not exposed to drafts, otherwise the mango stone will be too cold. The core of the mango remains there for about three weeks. After this time, try to push the core open a little. However, you must not break it, otherwise you cannot plant it. If this is successful, the core can rest for a maximum of one week and is then planted.

Tip: if you don't have a sharp knife to pry open the core, you can use a corkscrew or any sharp tool that doesn't need to be used with sheer force. Place this at the top and drill a small hole into it, through which you can pry open the core sleeve.

Pry open the mango stone

Plant mango seeds: instructions

Compared to the preparation, planting the mango seed is very easy, as the seed will sprout quickly once placed in the substrate. The right pot is important, as the mango cannot be planted in the garden in Central Europe. While adult plants enjoy the sun in the garden over the warm summer months, they would hopelessly die outside even with winter protection. For this reason, you should choose a pot that has the following characteristics:

  • big enough for the core and the substrate
  • small pots are not suitable for planting the mango
  • A diameter of 40 cm or more would be ideal
  • must have adequate drainage holes
  • heavy materials such as clay are more suitable

Mangoes do not tolerate waterlogging and for this reason a single drainage hole is not enough. Therefore, use pots that have several drainage holes, because the mango kernel is sensitive to excessive moisture after planting. Choose one of the following substrates for growing the tropical plant:

  • potting soil, sand, some compost (ripe)
  • Potting soil, some compost (mature)
  • Coconut fiber, some compost (ripe)

If you use potting soil or potting soil, you must sterilize it. This means you free the soil in which you want to grow the mango stone from harmful bacteria, viruses, microorganisms and insect larvae that could endanger the health of the mango. There are two ways you can do this:

  • Heat in the oven for 15 minutes at a temperature of at least 160°C
  • Microwave on high for a short time

This treatment is not necessary when growing the mango kernels in coconut fibers and you can start planting the mango kernels immediately after preparing the substrate. Remember: put on gloves while planting the mango pit so you don't irritate your skin unnecessarily.

Mango kernel & mango seedling

The instructions in detail:

  1. First, fill the bottom of the flowerpot with a drainage layer. Shards of pottery and gravel are best suited for this, even larger stones are suitable for this. The layer doesn't have to be high, it just helps the water drain better and doesn't build up.
  2. Now fill the entire pot with the chosen substrate. One should Distance to the edge of at least three centimeters be preserved so that the substrate is not accidentally washed out of the pot when watering.
  3. Before you put the seed in the substrate, double check the health and roots. If this has started to mold despite the preparation, you can no longer put it in the ground, as this mango kernel is no longer germinable.
  4. Now put the mango stone upright in the ground. He should like protrude two to three centimeters from the groundto get enough light. This step only applies to kernels that have been dried.
  5. If the seedling has already separated from the mango seed, you must not put it in the substrate, otherwise it will be damaged. You have to carefully plant this with the roots down 20 centimeters deep in the ground so that some of the leaves look out at the top. This step only applies to kernels that have been soaked.
  6. After planting, the mango kernel needs between four and six weeks, until it grows into a small seedling. The planted seedling, on the other hand, grows into a small tree during this time. Both variants require a constant temperature of 25°C to 30°C and must be kept constantly moist but not wet. A high level of humidity should be aimed for during this period.
  7. After the mango tree has rooted through the pot, repot.
mango plant

Tip: it can be helpful to place the mango on a coaster. Because Mangif.webpera indica can get quite heavy in a short period of time, you don't have to use a lot of strength to find the ideal location throughout the year, because mangoes like to follow the sun.

Category:

Garden plants