Mangoes are native to southern Asia, most notably Burma and eastern India. The plant was introduced to California in 1880. There are two races of Mango, one from India, and one from the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Mangifera is best known for its flavorful fruit, the Mango.
| Plant Types: | Fruit, Perennial, Tree, Tropical |
| Light: | Full Sun |
| Height: | 30 feet to 100 feet |
| Width: | 50 feet to 100 feet |
| Zones: | 9a to 11b |
| Bloom Color: | Red, Yellow |
| Bloom Seasons: | Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer |
| Leaf Color: | Green |
| Special Features: | Edible, Not North American native |
| Shape: | Rounded |
| Fertilizer: | Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Chelated Iron, Low-Nitrogen Fertilizer, Poultry Manure, Seaweed Fertilizer |
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Propagate from the seed. The seeds usually germinate in 2 to 4 weeks. Grafting is also possible, and should be conducted from May through August.
Fruits will mature about 100 to 150 days after flowering. Allow fruit to ripen on the tree before picking, with the exception of winter-maturing fruits which should be ripened indoors. Once the fruits begin to show characteristic color, remove them and place them stem down on trays at room temperature and cover with a dampened cloth for ripening. Avoid storing the fruit below 50°F.
Mangoes require a frost-free climate to grow well. It is best to provide plants with frost protection during the first 2 years of growth. Fruiting is favored by warm, dry weather conditions. Trees can grow up to 65', but normally don't reach this height in California. Mangoes prosper in full sun, but the fruits can experience sunburn if temperatures are too high.
Mangoes are suitable for planting in containers or greenhouses, but make sure the atmosphere is dry in the greenhouse. Locations of planting vary depending on the cultivar. Florida cultivars work well in desert conditions, while California cultivars work well in coastal counties. Provide some shade to trees grown in the desert.
Blooms inflorecences of yellow to reddish flowers in inflorescences holding up to 2,000 small flowers. Pollinators include mainly flies and hoverflies. The flowers emit a volatile chemical that is often allergenic to many people. Blooms are followed by kidney shaped or ovate fruits that are usually 2 to 9" long.
The branches are sometimes ringed to induce flowering.
Will grow in any soil as long as it is well-draining and not heavy and wet. Mangoes perform best in deep soil to allow for full root development. Tolerant to some degree of alkalinity, but prefer pH soil between 5.5 to 7.5. Water freely during the growing season, less in winter.
It is important not to overfertilize, which can lead to disease. Too much nitrogen can cause a shriveling of the tips of the fruits (called soft nose). Use organic fertilizers to provide the necessary nutrients, but refrain from fertilizing after midsummer. Sandy soils will require more fertilizer than clay or loam. They also often need iron.
Pruning is not generally necessary, but can be performed to stimulate new growth by removing some flower clusters during heavy blooms. In late winter or early spring, plants can be pruned to maintain a healthy framework and size.
Common pests include scale insects, mealybugs, and mites. Malathion spray is useful for controlling insect pests. Gophers are often attracted to the roots. Powdery mildew can also be a problem, particularly during rain or fog. Use fungicide sprays or sodium bicarbonate to control mildew. Wet and humid temperatures also favor anthracnose. Apply a copper spray or captan, bimonthly, when growth begins until the flowers open. Bacterial spots and a condition called "soft nose" are also present.