Werexotic fruitsloves, you simply can't ignore the juicy mango. The tropical mango tree has its origins in areas with hot and humid climates (particularly India and Burma). And although the delicious fruits do not grow in our latitudes, you can grow a mango yourself from the mango seed. The result is a beautiful mango tree with rich green or purple leaves that looks particularly good as a houseplant. You can find out how to plant the mango seed and grow a beautiful tree in the article!
Which mango can you plant?
You can't grow a mango tree from just any mango in the supermarket. In order for you to be able to plant the seed, the fruit must be harvested ripe. Many of the edible mangoes are also treated with germination inhibitors, making them unsuitable for home cultivation. So if you feel like growing a mango yourself, it's best to choose a ripe organic mango and get started!
If you would like to grow a mango yourself from the mango kernel, you should allow a few weeks. If the growing conditions are good, the mango tree as a houseplant will be 10-15 centimeters high and have leaves in 2-3 months. We will now show you how to prepare the seed, germinate it and grow it as a houseplant. Since it is a tropical plant, you need a sunny, warm spot in your home to create the best growing conditions.
Pull your own mango: This is what you need
Similar to youGrowing avocados, you can also grow the mango tree yourself. All you need is the core of a ripe mango, a suitable substrate, a flower pot with a saucer, kitchen paper and of course a lot of patience.
Step 1: Find a ripe mango
Since mangoes are an export commodity, they are often harvested unripe in order to last longer. In order to grow a tree from the mango seed, you must definitely start with a ripe mango, ideally organically grown. Otherwise, the seed may not be ripe enough to grow into a plant.
Step 2: Expose the core and let it dry
Did you know that there is a large seed inside the mango kernel? This exact seed is used to grow the mango tree. To expose it, first cut off the pulp and carefully separate it from the mango seed (you can remove the pulpeat directly, puree into a smoothie or use as an ingredient in sweet or savory recipes). Carefully remove the remaining pulp from the core so that it dries faster and is easier to cut. You can run the core under tap water and scrub the pulp with a soft brush. Or you can carefully scrape off the pulp with a small knife.
When the core is reasonably free of pulp, towel dry it and place it somewhere where it can continue to dry for a day or two (not much longer).
Step 3: Remove seeds from the core pod
To remove the seed from the shell, you must first open it. Ideally, the core is already slightly open. If not, use a knife to cut the soft side of the pod and then split it with your fingers. When cutting, you must be careful not to damage the seed, because injured seeds will no longer germinate. Gently pull the seed out of the shell and remove any loose papery layers around the kernel without applying force or peeling the seed. If the seed appears shriveled or rotten, it is no longer suitable for growing a mango. The core should be brown or white-green in color and look fresh.
Step 4: Germinate mango seed
Now the seeds are wrapped in damp kitchen paper and placed in a freezer bag with a seal (or wrapped in plastic wrap). Then place the bag in a dark kitchen cupboard for about 1-2 weeks. You can also put it in a warm place, which is always good to speed up germination, but be careful not to let the paper towel dry out.
Open the paper towel every few days and check for signs of germination. Re-wet the paper towel if necessary. It is best to wait until it is 4-5 centimeters long before planting the seedling.
Step 5: Plant mango seedling
One part of the seedling becomes roots and the other part becomes shoots, but at this stage it is very difficult to tell which is which. For this reason, it is okay to plant the seed flat in the pot. The plant will align itself.
Potting soil, soil for potted plants or orchid substrate with pine or pine bark are suitable as a substrate. The pot should be a few inches wider than the seed and allow room for several inches of root growth. A pot that is 6 to 8 inches deep would be fine. Also make sure that the pot has drainage holes and a saucer to avoid waterlogging.
Fill the pot with soil, leaving two inches below the edge of the pot. Water the substrate thoroughly, let it settle, fill it up to the same level and place the germinated seed on top. Cover the seed with two inches of soil, water and backfill. There should be about two centimeters of space between the top of the potting soil and the edge of the pot so that you can water easily without overflowing.
Step 6: Place the mango tree in a sunny spot
After about six weeks, the plant should sprout and form leaves. Note that mangoes are tropical plants and like warmth and humidity. Place your plant in a sunny location, but not in direct, hot sun where it could dry out. Keep the soil moist but not wet.
