I started a mango tree/plant from seed and I am so proud of my endeavor. I understand that it won't produce mangoes, but it seems a bit stunted and I haven't seen new growth. Anyone have advice? Should I re-pot it?
Thanks!
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That's a nice looking mango tree. I grew a few mango seedlings from seed last year, but I made the mistake of putting them in the hot sun. Bad experience if you live in southern California.
I've heard that seed planted mangoes do indeed produce fruit. Several years to be in fact. The fruit will probably not be like that of the same mango as you bought at your grocery store. Even if you never intend on getting fruit from them, they still make very nice house plants.
As far as the stunted growth goes, I can relate to that with seedlings I've grown in the past. Mango plants have a very long taproot. (Meaning their roots travel very far.) The roots probably aren't getting the room they need within it's pot. If the space is available It wouldn't hurt to re-pot it in a larger pot come spring.
I've heard that seed planted mangoes do indeed produce fruit. Several years to be in fact. The fruit will probably not be like that of the same mango as you bought at your grocery store. Even if you never intend on getting fruit from them, they still make very nice house plants.
As far as the stunted growth goes, I can relate to that with seedlings I've grown in the past. Mango plants have a very long taproot. (Meaning their roots travel very far.) The roots probably aren't getting the room they need within it's pot. If the space is available It wouldn't hurt to re-pot it in a larger pot come spring.
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I suspect heat wouldn't bother them as much as the direct sun.
@cupakathy - bring it indoors before weather drops below 40's and be sure to give it plenty of light and warmth. I put mine in the sunniest uncovered upstairs (more heat) window I have, and provide supplemental daylight cfl on the interior side from when I wake up until when I go to bed, giving the pot a 1/4 turn once a week. They seem to like plenty of water followed by allowing the top of soil to dry before watering again.
In my experience, they start to grow new shoots after the spring Equinox. If you have repotted now, fertilizing may not be necessary. I water with filtered or de-chlorinated water and water with UCG (used coffee ground) dumped in it -- occasionally with compost tea -- to feed the earthworm(s) that live in my potted plant soil.
I'll repot in spring with compost enriched potting mix.
@cupakathy - bring it indoors before weather drops below 40's and be sure to give it plenty of light and warmth. I put mine in the sunniest uncovered upstairs (more heat) window I have, and provide supplemental daylight cfl on the interior side from when I wake up until when I go to bed, giving the pot a 1/4 turn once a week. They seem to like plenty of water followed by allowing the top of soil to dry before watering again.
In my experience, they start to grow new shoots after the spring Equinox. If you have repotted now, fertilizing may not be necessary. I water with filtered or de-chlorinated water and water with UCG (used coffee ground) dumped in it -- occasionally with compost tea -- to feed the earthworm(s) that live in my potted plant soil.
I'll repot in spring with compost enriched potting mix.
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Mango trees do indeed produce fruit. Though let's say you're looking to get actual mangoes from a tree. You're better off buying a grafted tree from a nursery. They will produce fruit a lot faster.
Growing mangoes from seed is probably one of the easiest fruit to germinate, but there is the down side. Harvesting fruit from a seed grown mango could take many years, and that fruit may or may not be the same variety of mango you purchased at the store.
Many fruit varieties you see in stores are hybrids, and the only way to get that same fruit is by taking a cutting from the mother plant, and grafting it onto a rootstock.
As for germination of a mango seed, it's really simple. After you've finished eating your mango let the seed husk dry out a bit. Using a butter knife, carefully pry it open the husk to reveal a large bean-like seed. Get a pot, fill it with soil, and make an indention in the soil. Place the seed in that indention, and cover it a little with more soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. In a week or so you should see a sprout appear.
Check out these mango seedlings I grew a few years ago. https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18676
Growing mangoes from seed is probably one of the easiest fruit to germinate, but there is the down side. Harvesting fruit from a seed grown mango could take many years, and that fruit may or may not be the same variety of mango you purchased at the store.
Many fruit varieties you see in stores are hybrids, and the only way to get that same fruit is by taking a cutting from the mother plant, and grafting it onto a rootstock.
As for germination of a mango seed, it's really simple. After you've finished eating your mango let the seed husk dry out a bit. Using a butter knife, carefully pry it open the husk to reveal a large bean-like seed. Get a pot, fill it with soil, and make an indention in the soil. Place the seed in that indention, and cover it a little with more soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. In a week or so you should see a sprout appear.
Check out these mango seedlings I grew a few years ago. https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18676
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Mango seeds can be prone to fungal infections. Treat seed with a fungicide before planting.
It could also be that the mangoes you bought were not in season. I bought 3 mangoes last month or so to plant the seed, and they all rotted. To tell you the truth, those mangoes weren't really all that good. They were somewhat sweet, but very sour. Try in summer with a fresh, ripe, sweet, and slightly soft(not squishy) mango. The mango that I bought in late summer is still growing strong.
Yes, leaving it on top of the soil will work. Using potting soil, and keeping the soil moist(not soggy wet), and keeping it in a sunny location should keep it happy.
I wouldn't get discouraged though. It's no fun when a seed you've planted ends up dying, but it's all about trial and error. These things happen.
It could also be that the mangoes you bought were not in season. I bought 3 mangoes last month or so to plant the seed, and they all rotted. To tell you the truth, those mangoes weren't really all that good. They were somewhat sweet, but very sour. Try in summer with a fresh, ripe, sweet, and slightly soft(not squishy) mango. The mango that I bought in late summer is still growing strong.
Yes, leaving it on top of the soil will work. Using potting soil, and keeping the soil moist(not soggy wet), and keeping it in a sunny location should keep it happy.
I wouldn't get discouraged though. It's no fun when a seed you've planted ends up dying, but it's all about trial and error. These things happen.
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