Mango care

Mango is a tropical tree

Image - Wikimedia / B.navez

The tree that I am going to tell you about next is a fruit plant that reaches considerable dimensions. So much so that it reaches a height of about thirty meters with a crown diameter of up to six meters; that is we are facing a perfect tree to protect ourselves from the sun.

Let's learn what the mango care.

Origin and characteristics of mango

Mango is a tropical tree

Mango is scientifically known by the name of Mangifera indicates and it is native to India and Indochina. Its leaves are evergreen (although they can fall if the winter is cool, and then sprout again in spring), lanceolate, green in color and with a very visible midrib as it is a paler green. The flowers are grouped together with inflorescences called panicles, which sprout in spring. The fruit is a large drupe (up to 5 centimeters long by 3-4 centimeters wide) with not too thin reddish-green skin and yellow, fleshy and edible flesh or pulp.

It has a medium rate of growth, which means that it is neither too fast nor too slow. You can usually grow about 10-15cm a year, especially if the weather is good.

It is widely cultivated throughout all tropical regions: Costa Rica, Cuba, and even in Spain it can be found in southern Andalusia, specifically in Granada and Malaga. Also in botanical or private gardens it is common to see some in these areas, including those of the Canary archipelago. In the Balearic Islands there are some isolated orchards that they also have, being found in localities that, due to their geographical location, have a warmer microclimate than that which can be found in other municipalities, and a land very rich in nutrients.

What is the care of the mango?

If you dare to have a mango tree, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Climate

First of all, it is important to know in what climate or climates you could live, otherwise we would run the risk of spending money for nothing. Thus, the mango is a tropical species, which we find especially in the rain forests. For this reason, it will only grow without problems in a warm climate without thermal variations.

But ... if you want to have one in a slightly cool climate (with somewhat cool temperatures in winter), I recommend the variety Mango gomera 3. I myself have one and it has withstood the cold reasonably well under the plastic (we have had lows of up to -2º).

Earth

  • Garden: it must be fertile, with good drainage. We must avoid planting it in compact soils, otherwise its roots could end up suffocating.
  • Flower pot: It is not a tree to have in a pot throughout its life, but it can be grown there for several years. Fill it with mulch mixed with 30% perlite or similar.

Irrigation

Mango is a tree that wants a lot of water, but without overdoing it. Depending on the weather and location, for example, in very hot and dry places, it may need watering every 2-3 days in summer, and every 6-8 days the rest of the year.

On the contrary, if it rains frequently and on a regular basis, the frequency of irrigation will be much lower since the plant receives the water it needs from said rainfall.

It is also important to keep in mind that, if it is grown in a pot, if a plate is placed under it, the remaining water must be removed after each watering. Thus, the risk of root suffocation will be reduced.

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During spring and summer it is highly advisable to pay it every week or fifteen days with a fertilizer rich in nutrients and fast efficiency such as guano (for sale here). In autumn and winter, as it is hardly growing, you can also add a little slow-release compost, such as compost or cow manure, once a month.

Multiplication

Mango flowers are panicles

Image - Wikimedia / Alejandro Bayer Tamayo from Armenia, Colombia

The handle multiplies by seeds in spring, sowing them in individual pots with substrate for seedlings (for sale here) and keeping them near a heat source.

At a commercial level, propagation by graft for being faster and because specimens with a higher production of high quality fruits are obtained.

Mango pests

It is quite sturdy in general, but can be attacked by mealybugs, fruit fly and flower moths. They can be prevented by treating it with insecticidal oil in winter, or treating with potassium soap (on sale here) or neem oil (for sale here).

Management

Sensitive to fungi powdery mildew, anthracnose, fusarium y would alternate; as well as at bacteria Botryodiplodia and Xanthomonas. The former are treated with fungicides, whereas for bacteria, unfortunately there is no treatment.

Symptoms of fungal diseases are:

  • Black or whitish spots on the leaves
  • Fruit rot
  • The plant does not grow
  • Root suffocation

And of the bacteria:

  • colored mosaics in the leaves and fruits
  • yellowish spots on the leaves (not to be confused with chlorosis)
  • leaf deformation

Pruning

You don't really need it. You just have to remove the branches that you see that are sick, weak or that have been broken for example after a strong wind gust.

Planting or transplanting time

En spring, when the temperature is 15ºC or more. If you have it in a pot, transplant it every 2-3 years.

Rusticity

Resists cold, but not frost (Except for exceptions, such as Gomera 3, which can hold up to -2ºC as long as there are occasional and short-term frosts). The minimum annual temperature should not be less than 10ºC anyway.

What uses is it given?

Mangoes are edible fruits

The handle has several uses, which are:

Ornamental

It is a very decorative plant. Looks great as an isolated specimen, in large gardens.

Culinary

Without a doubt, it is its main use. The fruits, once peeled, they can be consumed directly, either as a snack ... or even as a dinner 😉. It has a sweet but mild flavor, very pleasant if it is ripe (if it is green it is more acidic).

Mango benefits

This fruit, in addition to being delicious, has many benefits for humans:

  • It is rich in vitamins A, C and E, as well as in calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium
  • Take care of the eyes, thanks to vitamin A
  • It is digestive
  • It is interesting for take care of the skin in case of acne. For this, the pulp is applied and left for about 10 minutes
  • Helps to gain weight, because for every 100 grams it has about 75 calories

And you, do you have a mango?


7 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Cristina Hurtado said

    I made my mango tree from seed 3 years ago and it is about 50 cm tall. It grows very well. How long can it remain in a pot, for example 40x40cm? After how many years does it bear fruit? I live in Capital Federal in Argentina and for years it has practically not frosted here, so I will try to plant it in someone's garden that takes place ... What a shame!

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Cristina.
      The magno is not a tree that grows very fast, so I would say that for at least 3 or 4 more years you can have it in a pot, but you have to remember to fertilize it because the soil is losing nutrients.
      It will bear fruit at 12-13 years or so.
      A greeting.

  2.   Victor said

    12 years is too much, those that I sowed at 5 years are with their first harvest that if I have them in the ground not in pots

  3.   Pablo said

    Hello, I am from the interior of Cordoba, Argentina. I had a magician that they gave me which was in a pot or the 4 alis ... I transplanted it to the ground and this winter there were strong medium frosts ... and it ran out of leaves. I covered it a little today. I give myself to twist a branch to see how it was and I see that it was dry ... so it was breaking up to about 20,30 cm from the ground ... l9 what I did was to cut the entire dry trunk and leave about 30 cm of it, I took it out from the ground and put it in a pot again. Its roots were alive and the bark of the part that it left still has signs of life ... my question is. Will it survive? Is there any method that I can use to survive? Using its roots, something about the style? I don't want to let him die ..

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi, Pablo.

      Mango is a tree that, unfortunately, does not withstand frost.
      For the moment I recommend you leave it in the pot, protected from the cold, and wait.

      Keep the soil moist (not puddled), and if you want, add a little (a handful or less) of organic compost (compost, humus).

      Greetings and good luck!

  4.   Maru said

    I have two little plants that just came out this year in my garden because I dump organic waste there, I live on the outskirts of Mexico City. I do not know if they manage to bear fruit one day or I will remove them at once.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Maru.

      If there are no frosts in your area, they will surely grow well 🙂

      Greetings.