How to Grow a Mango from a Seed – Planting and Germinating at Home

Trees

The mango is an evergreen tree with beautiful, glossy foliage that changes color as it grows. Young trees have reddish leaves, while mature trees have dark green crowns. With regular care and pruning, this plant maintains a neat, compact shape.

There are many varieties of this species, but during flowering, they all boast a highly aesthetic appeal. Achieving this result requires some effort. From the seed of a ripe mango purchased at the supermarket, you can easily grow an exotic plant that will decorate your home.

Preparing and growing mango from seed at home

Growing mangoes from seed produces healthy plants that are resistant to various environmental factors. Early summer is the best time to begin cultivating this plant indoors.

Remember!

The main thing is to choose a ripe, pollinated fruit, in which the pit is easily separated from the pulp.

Once dried, simply place the mango in a clear plastic cup filled with water for 2-3 weeks until sprouts appear. After this, you can transplant the mango into prepared soil.

Preparing the bone

To germinate a mango seed, it must be treated accordingly. It's important to follow this sequence:

First, carefully cut the pulp from the ripe fruit, rinse the pit under running water, carefully removing any remaining plant flesh;
The next step is to split it open. Inside the seed are several embryos;
choose the smoothest, lightest ones from them and treat them with fungicides to prevent fungal diseases;
After this, the seed can be planted in the ground.

If the seed's shell is too hard, avoid attempting to crack it by any means necessary. Excessive mechanical force can damage the embryos inside. It is recommended to place the seed in a clear glass of water and place it on a sunny windowsill for 2-3 weeks. During this period, change the water every two days.

Choosing soil and a pot

This plant thrives best in neutral, universal, loose soil with good drainage. To create a drainage layer, place expanded clay granules or crushed rock at the bottom of the pot. This will prevent root rot and the death of the tree due to stagnant water.

Please note!

It's important to initially select a deep, large container with drainage holes in the bottom. This will ensure free root growth. It's important that the roots are positioned at the bottom.

Mango seed planting algorithm

It's recommended to remove the seeds from the seed immediately before planting them in the prepared substrate. The seed can be planted either sideways or horizontally. The first option is recommended when it's difficult to distinguish between the top and bottom. The second method is suitable for small sprouts.

Planting must be carried out strictly adhering to a certain sequential scheme:

In a prepared pot with soil and drainage, dig a hole up to 3 cm deep. Water the hole generously and place the seed inside, pointing the pointed end down. It's important to ensure that a quarter of the seed is above the ground. Correct placement of the seed will ensure the root is at the bottom. Then water the seedling generously.
Planting a seed
In the second stage, it's recommended to create a mini-greenhouse by placing the top portion of a cut-off plastic bottle with its lid on the pot. This structure should be placed on a warm, well-lit windowsill. Be sure to periodically unscrew the lid to allow air to circulate. During this period, maintain moderate humidity and a temperature of 22-25 degrees Celsius.
Mango sprout
In about a month, the first shoots should appear, requiring sunlight, warmth, and moisture. The first green leaves should be regularly misted with warm, settled water. When the mango begins to grow, remove the plastic cover. Once the seedling has strengthened and grown, it should be transplanted into a larger pot with the prepared medium.

Features of growing and caring for young mangoes

If the mango was initially planted in a small container, don't rush into replanting. It's important to wait until the plant has established itself and grown.

Important!

It is strongly recommended not to overdo transplanting into other pots, as this procedure has a negative impact on the mango due to possible damage to the roots.

The plant may lose its foliage and even die. This plant tolerates pruning well and quickly regains its crown volume. These methods allow you to control the shape and size of this ornamental indoor tree. The mango tree is native to the tropics, so for its healthy growth and development, appropriate conditions must be created during cultivation.

Watering and spraying

A young tree requires regular, abundant watering. High humidity also benefits the plant. However, over-spraying the foliage is highly undesirable, as this can encourage fungal diseases and mold.

Under no circumstances should water stagnation be allowed in the soil. The soil should not become waterlogged due to excessive watering. To achieve this, it is essential to ensure good drainage from the start and select a light, loose soil.

Temperature and light

This heat-loving tropical plant does not tolerate low temperatures or drafts. If the air temperature does not rise above 5°C (41°F), the mango tree may simply die. The optimal temperature for mango is 25-29°C (77-83°F). This species thrives on light, so it's best to choose a brightly lit location for the pot.

During the winter, it is recommended to provide additional artificial lighting using fluorescent lamps. This is because the plant requires 11 hours of daylight. In the summer, it is recommended to place the plant on a balcony, loggia, or terrace, providing protection from drafts.

Hardening and feeding

During the greenhouse stage of plant development from seed, after the first petals appear, it needs to be gradually hardened off and acclimated to indoor conditions. This process should be gradual. It is recommended to increase the time the greenhouse is opened by half an hour each subsequent day.

It's recommended to leave the film on overnight. After a month, the plant can be fully uncovered. During this period, place it on a sunny windowsill or warm balcony. Direct sunlight won't harm the mango at this stage.

A plant grown from a seed requires feeding with nitrogen-rich mixtures and organic humus. Fertilizers for palms, citrus fruits, and persimmons are also suitable. For this plant species, feeding is especially important in the spring and summer, when it is actively growing. It should be taken into account that the mango tree needs nitrogen the most.

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Pest and disease control

If you don't pay enough attention to your plant and don't follow proper care guidelines, it may become ill. Among the most common diseases are the following:

Powdery mildew, which appears on leaves due to excessively humid air and sudden temperature changes.
Anthracnose is a type of fungus that is introduced through soil or damaged leaves.
Anthracnose
Bacteriosis caused by microorganisms that enter the plant through wounds on the leaves due to stagnant water or excess fertilizer.

Powdery mildew, which appears as a white coating on leaves, is treated with fungicide solutions. Fundazol or Topaz are applied to the leaves up to four times. Weekly breaks are recommended during treatment.

Yellowish or brown spots caused by anthracnose fungus on foliage are treated by rinsing with warm water, repotting, and removing affected leaves. Plants are treated with Fitosporin.

Bacterial rot is treated with a copper sulfate solution. Additionally, you should trim away any rotted, damaged parts and replant the mango in clean soil.

Among the pests most dangerous to mango trees are thrips and spider mites. The following methods are used to control them:

treatment of leaves and trunk with Kleschevit, Fitoverm, Akarin;
removal of affected parts of the tree;
washing the entire plant and adjacent surfaces with an alcohol solution and soap.

How to get mangoes to bear fruit at home

When growing an ornamental mango tree indoors, flowering and fruiting do not occur automatically. With favorable conditions, you can grow an ornamental tropical plant with great aesthetic appeal. Dwarf varieties are adapted to indoor conditions. These specimens are much more likely to produce tasty fruit.

Mango blossoms are a delightful sight, but it's important to remember that only grafted trees will bloom and produce juicy fruit. You can graft a mango tree grown from a seed yourself using budding. This requires a bud from a fruiting tree.

Frequently asked questions about growing fruit

How to determine if a seed is suitable for planting?

You'll need a fresh, large mango pit that separates easily from the flesh. Its surface should be smooth. The pit should be easy to open with a knife where the husks meet.

Is it necessary to graft a plant?

Grafting is the most guaranteed method of propagation. As a result, indoor mango trees will delight you with lush blooms, which ultimately yield delicious fruit. This procedure should only be performed in summer.

What diseases are mangoes most susceptible to?

Like many fruit crops, the mango tree is susceptible to diseases such as fungal anthracnose, bacteriosis, and powdery mildew.

What difficulties may arise when growing mangoes?

Growing this plant from seed isn't easy, as it requires tropical-like conditions. Insufficient watering and low humidity can lead to spider mites. On the other hand, excess moisture can cause the fungal disease powdery mildew.

The mango is not only a beautiful exotic plant that will decorate the interior of an apartment or house, but also an excellent fruit tree. By following certain guidelines, you can grow delicious and healthy fruits at home.