How do I Plant Mango Tree Seeds?
Mango trees are tropical fruit-producing trees that are originally from Burma, southern Asia and eastern India. They have since been introduced into many of the temperate growing regions throughout the world, including Africa and California. Growing mango trees requires care and a warm climate. Even if it is only for a brief period of time, these tender trees can be killed if exposed to a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. You can start mango trees from seed in late spring or early summer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Preparing Mango Seeds
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1
Cut open a ripened mango to remove the pit.
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2
Crack open the mango pit using a hammer. Extract the bean-sized seeds and discard the mango pit. If any of the seeds are gray or brown and shriveled, discard them. They will not germinate.
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3
Remove all pulp from the seeds, if there is any. You can rinse the seeds off under tap water and use a small brush to scrub the pit clean.
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4
Place the seeds in a window sill or anywhere they can be left to dry for a day or two.
Planting Mango Seeds
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5
Fill 1-gallon plastic pots with a potting mix until they are full to about 1 inch from the rim.
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6
Poke one to two 1 inch-deep holes in each of the 1-gallon pots.
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7
Plant one mango seed into each of the holes. Make sure it is planted with its concave side facing down, as suggested by Texas A&M Extension. Scoop about 1 inch of soil over each of the seeds.
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8
Set the pots in a location that offers protection from wind and direct sunshine. The location should provide maximum filtered light, about 10 to 12 hours every day. Keep the seeds moist; water as often as needed to keep them moist. Germination typically starts in about two to three weeks, depending on conditions.
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9
Place the pots in a sunny location once the seedlings are about 2 to 3 inches tall. It is best to acclimate them to direct sunlight slowly over a period of two to three weeks. To do this, place the pots in full sun for one to two hours a day for four to five days, slowly exposing the seedlings to more light until they can withstand full sun.
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10
Transplant the mango trees into larger pots, barrels or tubs when they are well established and growing, generally when they are about 10 to 12 inches tall.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Seed-grown mango trees typically will begin to produce fruit in about three to six years.
Mango trees are hardy in the USDA zones 10b through 11.
References
- Photo Credit mango image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
