Growing mangoes from seed can be a fun and enjoyable project for kids and seasoned gardeners alike. Though mangoes are extremely easy to grow, there are a few issues that you may encounter when attempting to plant seeds from grocery store mangoes.
Can You Grow a Mango Pit?
First and foremost, mangoes are only produced from mature trees. At maturity, mango trees can reach heights over 60 feet (18 m.) tall. Unless you live in a climate suitable for growth of mangoes outdoors, tropical and sub-tropical areas, it's unlikely that your plants will ever produce fruit. Additionally, fruits produced from plants will not be like those from which the seed came. This is due to the fact that commercial mangoes are often produced by grafted trees for better disease resistance. Despite these facts, mango pits are still grown by gardeners in more temperate climates and are often admired for their foliage.
Planting a Mango Pit
Seeds from grocery store mangoes are one of the most common places to start. First, you'll need to check to ensure that the mango pit is actually viable. Sometimes fruits have been chilled or treated. This results in a mango seed which will not grow. Ideally, the seed should be a tan color. Since mango seeds contain a latex sap, which causes skin irritation, gloves are required. With gloved hands carefully remove the pit from the mango. Use a pair of scissors to remove the outer husk from the seed. Be certain to plant the seed immediately, as it should not be allowed to dry out. Plant into a container filled with moist potting mix. Plant the seed deep enough so that the top of the seed is just below soil level. Keep well watered and in a warm location. Use of a heat mat will help expedite the process of the mango seed sprouting. Keep in mind that mango pit germination may take several weeks.
Mango Seedling Care
Once the seed has germinated make sure to water it two to three times a week for the first three to four weeks. Mango trees will require full sun and warm temperatures for continued growth. Overwintering plants indoors will be mandatory for many growing regions.
-
Urban Beekeeping Guide: Top Tips For Raising Bees In The CityUrban beekeeping can be a rewarding and appreciated pastime, but first be sure it’s legal in your city and learn the ropes of beekeeping.
-
2024 Plant Of The Year: Why Experts Say Philodendron Is The “It” Plant Of The YearWe aren’t surprised that philodendron was designated the plant of the year. Versatile, easy-care and lovely, it’s the houseplant of the year 2024!
-
Mango Sun Damage: Treating Mangoes With SunburnMangoes with sunburn have reduced palatability and are usually used to make juice. If you want to save the juicy fruits for out of hand eating, learn how to stop mango sunburn in your plants. This article can help with that. Click here for more information.
-
Mango Leaf Tips Are Burnt – What Causes Mango TipburnWhen your mango leaves are burnt on the tips, it’s likely to be a disease called tipburn. Tipburn of mango leaves can be caused by several different issues, but, fortunately, none are too difficult to treat. Click here for information on tipburn and its treatment.
-
How To Manage Mango Disease: Tips For Treating A Sick Mango TreeDelicious they may be, but the trees are susceptible to a number of mango tree diseases. Treating a sick mango means correctly identifying mango disease symptoms. Click this article to find out about diseases of mangos and how to manage mango diseases.
-
Mango Tree Grafting – Learn How To Graft A Mango TreeWhen propagating by seed, trees take longer to produce fruit, thus mango tree grafting is the preferred method of propagation. In the following article, we?ll discuss how to graft a mango tree and other pertinent information of this technique.
-
Mango Fruit Harvest – Learn When And How To Harvest Mango FruitMangos are an economically important crop in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. If you are lucky enough to have a mango tree, you may have wondered "When do I pick my mangos". Find out when and how to harvest mango fruit here.
-
Mango Pruning Guide: Learn When And How To Trim A Mango TreePruning mango trees improve their overall health and harvest. So how do you prune a mango tree and when is the best time to prune a mango tree? Learn more in the article that follows. Click here for additional information.
-
Container Grown Mango Trees – How To Grow Mango Trees In PotsMangos are exotic, aromatic fruit trees that absolutely abhor cold temps. Since many of us don't live in such consistently warm regions, you might be wondering how to grow mango trees in pots or even if it's possible. Click here to learn more.
-
Mango Tree Not Producing: How To Get Mango FruitOne of the most popular fruits in the world, mango trees have been grown for more than 4,000 years. Mango tree problems, like no mango fruit on trees, have been duly noted with solutions found in this article.
