Planting Mango Trees
Successfully establishing a young fruit tree starts with your planting site and method. Once a fruit tree is established, it needs little assistance to grow and bear fruit; but you’ll want to make sure you give your trees the right foundation.
NOTE: This is part 3 in a series of 8 articles. For a complete background on how to grow mango trees, we recommend starting from the beginning.
Soil
Mango trees need a soil pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Contact your local County Extension Office for information about soil testing in your area, or purchase one of our digital meters for quick and accurate results.
Sunlight
Mango trees need full sun exposure of at least 8 hours for fruit production. Best growing temperatures need to be above 70 degrees Fahrenheit with ideal temperatures of 80 to 100 degrees and humidity above 50%.
Pollination
Mango trees self-pollinate with assistance from flies, hoverflies and bees. Trees will produce fruit without cross-pollination. Hand-pollinating with a small paint brush can help in the absence of insects.
Spacing
Spacing should allow for the mature size of cultivar. For optimal growth, it’s advisable to place larger cultivars around 25 to 30 feet apart, while semi-dwarf and dwarf cultivars can be comfortably planted 12 to 15 feet apart.
Planting
Avoid damaging the central tap root. Planting hole should be twice as wide as root ball and at least 10 inches deeper to accommodate the tap root.
- Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root system.
- You may fertilize your tree at time of planting.
- Plant your tree level with the soil line from the pot.
- Water your plant thoroughly.
- Keep the ground mulched around the trees to keep it free of weeds, but don’t cultivate so deeply that the surface roots will be damaged.
Planting in Containers
Dwarf and semi-dwarf cultivars are best for containers growing. Keep depth in mind to accommodate for the tree’s deep tap root. A container 24 inches deep and wide is recommended. For optimal growth, it is important to utilize a high-quality potting mix that facilitates good drainage and aeration. When cultivating indoors, providing the plant with ample moisture, abundant sunlight, and maintaining ideal temperatures can enable it to reach its fruiting size.
