Discovering the mango tree
Known by the scientific name Mangifera indica and native to Asia, this tree can measure up to 40 meters high and is characterized by an extensive port. It is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its fleshy fruit with sweet flesh, the mango, which can be enjoyed ripe or green.
The foliage of this tree is evergreen and very aesthetic, since when they are young, the leaves display yellow, red or orange colors before turning green later.
Fairly easy to grow in suitable conditions, it has, despite everything, need a warm, humid environment, especially during its growth periods. This means that in some regions it is better to grow it in a pot so that it can be sheltered as soon as temperatures drop below 5°C. But nothing stops you from growing it permanently in your living room, for example, or in a veranda.
Collect a mango pit
First of all, you should know that the pit of a mango is rather large, flattened and oval or round in shapeand consists of a white husk covered in fibers, which protects an almond.
This almond is also quite large since it can be 1 cm thick with a length of 4 to 7 cm and a width of 3 to 4 cm. In the case of very ripe fruits, it can even begin to germinate well protected in its pod.
If you want to sprout a mango pit, the first step is, obviously, to collect it. To put all the chances on your side, it is important to carefully choose the mango from which you are going to extract the stone : it should have a yellow/red color and, when you hold it in the palm of your hand, it should feel soft when pressed.
Another selection criterion is its scent, because the riper a mango, the more intense this scent is. Mangoes from Spain generally perform well. To extract the core, proceed as follows:
- After opening the mango, remove its flesh until you get to the stone pod.
- To better remove all the flesh around the pit, you can leave it to dry for a few days on absorbent paper.
- Once the flesh is dry, scrape it off with a knife or brush the core under lukewarm water.
- To release the almond, open the husk with a knife or pliers.
Be careful not to hurt yourself, as it is quite hard, and not to damage the almond inside, especially since it may already have started to germinate.
Sprouting a mango pit
Concerning this step, opinions are divided as to the best germination technique. Suffice it to say that the two that we are offering you are bearing fruit. You are free to choose the one that inspires you more or you can try to germinate 2 kernels, using both techniques and you can judge for yourself.
Germinating a kernel in water
Once the mango stone has been removed, proceed as follows:
- Start by making a sort of nursery. It can be in a small plastic box or in a jam jar. The whole point is to be able to create a small warm and humid greenhouse.
- Place a bed of wet cotton at the bottom of the container.
- Place the almond on this bed.
- Close the container and install it in a room where the temperature remains at 20°C.
- As the days go by, it is recommended to change the cotton bed to prevent the appearance of mold. Regardless, check regularly that the cotton is still damp and, if necessary, add water.
- After ten days, you will notice the appearance of roots. As soon as they are several centimeters long, you can plant your germinated seed in the ground.
Germinate a kernel in the ground
Here’s how to do it:
- Fill a pot with nutrient-rich potting soil. Be careful to choose a fairly wide and deep pot, because the mango tree tends to develop a tap root and a fairly extensive surface root system.
- Plant the recovered almond in moist potting soil, a few centimeters deep, so that its upper part remains visible.
- Place the pot in a warm space, this could be above a radiator or towards a south-facing window. But be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight.
- For faster germination, you can cover the pot with cellophane or transparent plastic film. This will allow you to create a greenhouse atmosphere.
- In all cases, make sure that the soil is always moist.
- Allow around ten days to a month before you see the first leaves appear.
- When your young mango tree reaches a height of 15 to 20 cm, you can plant it outside if you live in an area with a mild climate.
Proceed with planting a germinated kernel in water
Once your mango stone has sprouted, wait until the roots measure between 3 and 5 cm before planting it in the ground. To do this :
- Provide a pot that is wide and deep enough for the reasons that we saw a little more in the paragraph on germination in soil. The pot must also be pierced to ensure good drainage.
- Fill the pot with a rich, light potting soil. It can be potting soil or seedling soil.
- Prepare a hole so that you can plant your young plant without damaging its roots which, at this stage, are very fragile.
- Place the pot in a warm, light place and ensure that the soil is always moist, but not soggy. When your mango tree has grown, you can move it outside in summer, or even plant it in the ground if the climate in your region is suitable.
Maintaining your mango tree
As your young plant grows, you can follow these tips to help it develop well:
- Make sure to leave it in a bright and sufficiently humid location. You can, for example, install it near a window, surrounding it with plants to create a microclimate.
- Water it frequently to keep your soil moist, but not soggy.
- As soon as necessary, you can proceed with repotting or planting in the ground.
If you choose not to graft your tree, it will then be called a “mango tree”, meaning a wild mango tree. It is not obligatory to graft a mango tree if you want a simply decorative plant.