Growing a single mango isn't too difficult, but growing different varieties on a larger scale is quite a challenge. This starts with the procurement of germinable mango kernels, which are not so easy to obtain in this country.
Different types of mango
When you decide to grow mangoes, it matters less which variety you choose. The ripeness of the purchased fruit is crucial for success. A mango will continue to ripen even after it has been bought, but the seedling could have been damaged by long periods of cooling or temperatures that were too low during transport.
The different mango varieties differ in the size, color and taste of the fruit, among other things. The plants are not the same either, some of them even have very different needs. For example, Indian mangoes are sensitive to too much water and Philippine mango trees have a particularly high light requirement.
Find the right mango seed
In contrast to other seeds, you will not find mango seeds or kernels in nurseries, seed plants or similar specialist shops, which makes cultivation not exactly easy. You have to go in search of ripe fruits in grocery and fruit shops. You can eat these raw as usual or process them into various dishes to reveal the coveted core.
Grow the mango yourself
Only use the core of a ripe fruit. Clean the pulp completely. Carefully drill open the core on the pointed side with a sharp knife, a corkscrew or another pointed tool. Then open the core a small crack. The seedling must not be injured under any circumstances, otherwise it will no longer germinate.
Now put the core upright in a pot with potting soil and spray it with low-lime water. If you don't know the lime content of your tap water, you can check it with a test strip from the pharmacy or drugstore, or you can simply use rainwater.
Then cover the growing pot with foil and keep it bright and warm. Always keep the substrate moist during germination. Alternatively, you can water the bud for a week or two instead of drilling it out. However, the water must be changed daily. It takes about three to twelve weeks for germination.
What you should definitely consider:
- Clean the core completely from the pulp
- Carefully drill or soak the core
- Do not injure the seedling
- Keep substrate moist during germination
tips and tricks
The younger the mango tree is, the more sensitive it is to a high lime content in the irrigation water. The simplest alternative is rainwater.
UE