This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
Growing fruit from a pit is not only possible, but rather easy. Have you ever thought about creating your own mango tree, a plant with exotic accents, with a mango bought at the supermarket? This could be a very satisfying experience. Here’s how to do it, step by step.
Even though the mango tree is a tropical species, it is possible to grow it in the Quebec climate. Your tree is unlikely to produce fruit, but at the very least it will make a nice indoor green plant.
What to do with your mango?
To grow a mango tree, you must first obtain a beautiful, ripe fruit, which you will enjoy while taking care not to damage the stone. Next, you will need to perform a few steps carefully.
1. Using a knife, open the white pod that forms the core.
2. Once the pod is open, collect the almond in the center.
3. Wrap the latter in damp absorbent paper and place it in an airtight plastic jar.
4. Keep the container closed, away from light, near a heat source (target temperature: around 20°C).
5. Remember to change the dampened absorbent paper every day to prevent the appearance of mold.
6. After a few days, you will see a sprout and roots coming out of the almond. Be patient, this process can take up to two weeks.
7. Once the sprout and roots have emerged, your young mango tree is then ready to be transferred into a pot.
Come on, hop, into the ground!
The mango tree root grows deep and superficially. Therefore, you need to choose a wide and deep container with drainage holes and a saucer. When planting, follow these steps.
1. Fill the bottom of the pot with sphagnum peat moss potting mix. For even more impressive results, use a potting soil that contains compost.
2. Carefully place the sprouted almond flat in the soil, with the roots down, to a depth of 4 cm. Cover everything with potting soil.
3. Water the surface and place the pot in the light, out of direct sunlight.
4. Keep the soil cool, but not too moist.
5. The sprout will develop roots in the soil, and a central stem will appear on the surface of the soil within a few days. However, this can take up to a month depending on the environment and the quality of the seed.
6. Young leaves will be red or yellow in color initially and will later turn green.
7. Be careful of the sun, as direct exposure could cause the leaves to burn.
Mango tree maintenance
As it grows, your mango tree will become covered in shiny green leaves. Spray them regularly. After a few months, replant your tree in a taller and wider pot, as it has a deep taproot and a fairly extensive surface root system. Fertilize it during the growing season with a fertilizer for tropical species. Place your plant outside during the summer, exposing it to the sun gradually. Water it regularly to prevent the plant from drying out.
To harvest fruits
If you are keen to experiment, but are keen to harvest a juicy mango one day, you should know that there are dwarf varieties of mango trees that can produce fruit indoors. ‘Amrapali’, ‘Ice Cream’, ‘Irwin’, ‘Nam Doc Mai’, ‘King Thai’ are some examples of very prolific small species that are grafted to produce fruit more quickly. Ask your local garden centre for more information!
This content was produced by the Special Publications Team of Dutyrelevant to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.