When planting mangoes, density must be well controlled, with timely weeding in the later stages and scientific fertilization.

AbstractOrchard site: requires a relatively thick soil layer, soil that does not easily become compacted and does not waterlog, and proximity to a water source so that irrigation is possible during spring drought. Density: varies according to climate, soil fertility and cultivar; the commonly used spacings are 4 by 4 m, 4 by 5 m, 5 by 6 m and so on, 3 kinds in total. Planting: best done from June to August, choosing a cloudy or sunny day for planting. Management: after planting, watering is needed during drought to keep moisture, and during the rainy season drainage should be timely; on ordinary days, actively weed and apply grass mulch. Fertilization: mainly apply post-fruiting fertilizer, flower-forcing fertilizer, flower-fading fertilizer and fruit-swelling fertilizer.

Mangoes are rich in nutrients and have a unique taste; eating them regularly can beautify the skin, help lower high blood pressure and have other benefits, so they are deeply loved by people. Mango trees have strong adaptability, grow easily and have high yields, and their annual sales are also large, so in recent years more and more people have been planting mangoes. So how do you plant mangoes?

How to plant mangoes

1. Orchard site selection: a mango orchard requires a relatively thick soil layer, soil that does not easily become compacted and does not waterlog, and proximity to a water source, so that irrigation is possible during spring drought to ensure a good harvest.

2. Planting density: varies according to climate, soil fertility and cultivar; the planting spacings that can be used are 4 m×4 m, 4 m×5 m, 5 m×6 m and so on, 3 spacings in total.

3. Planting: the planting time each year is preferably June to August. Choose a cloudy or sunny day for planting; when planting, place the seedling into the previously prepared planting hole and then backfill with soil. When planting bagged seedlings, the plastic bag must be removed before planting.

How to grow mangoes in pots

1. Prepare a standard growing mix in a flower pot, then half-bury the seed in the soil, with the end of the seed bearing the embryo facing downward into the soil; this helps the seed germinate and protects the embryo from being bitten and damaged by ants, snails and the like.

2. After planting, place the flower pot in a warm, humid, sunny place, pay attention to looking after it and keep the soil moist. Under normal conditions with suitable temperature and humidity, 5 to 6 days after burying the seed you can see the top of the seed begin to sprout, and it will grow larger day by day.

Environmental requirements of mangoes

1. Temperature: mangoes like warmth and cannot tolerate cold or frost. The optimum growing temperature is 25 to 30°C; below 20°C growth is slow, and below 10°C the leaves and flower panicles stop growing, and nearly ripe fruit suffers cold damage. The effective temperature for growth is 18 to 35°C, the optimum temperature for shoot growth is 24 to 29°C, and fruit set and young fruit growth require a daily average temperature above 20°C.

2. Light: mango is a light-loving fruit tree; sufficient light can promote flower bud differentiation, flowering and fruit set, and improve fruit quality and appearance. Usually a single tree on the sunny side of the canopy or in an open environment flowers more and has a higher fruit-setting rate, while mangoes with too many branches and leaves, a dense closed canopy and insufficient light flower and fruit less, and the fruit appearance and quality are both poor. Through pruning and shaping, the light conditions within the orchard and within the tree can be improved to increase yield and prolong the peak production period.

3. Water: mangoes grow well in areas with annual rainfall of 700 to 2000 mm; in South China the annual rainfall is unevenly distributed, which often affects growth and development. If the air is too dry during the flowering period and the early fruiting stage, it easily causes flower and fruit drop; too much rain in turn leads to flower rot and poor pollination and fertilization; when summer rainfall is too concentrated, it often induces serious fruit diseases; and the autumn drought after harvest mostly affects the sprouting and growth of the autumn shoot mother branches.

4. Soil: mangoes are not demanding about soil, and mangoes can be cultivated in areas below 600 m in altitude. However, deep soil layers, a water table below 3 m, good drainage, and slightly acidic loam or sandy loam are preferable.

Orchard management

1. Irrigation and drainage

After planting, young seedlings need watering to keep moisture during drought. Water once every 7 to 10 days, and keeping the orchard soil moist is preferable. During the flowering and fruiting period, regular irrigation is needed to ensure the water required for flowering and fruit. During the rainy season, any localized waterlogging should be drained promptly.

2. Intertillage, weeding and loosening the soil

The orchard requires weeding 4 to 6 times a year, keeping the root zone free of weeds. From late autumn to before winter, shallow loosening of the soil in the root zone should be carried out.

3. Mulching

Grass mulch can maintain moisture balance and soil temperature, reduce weed growth, and at the same time increase soil organic matter, prevent compaction and favor root activity.

4. Deep plowing to improve the soil and bury green manure

At the drip line of the canopy, dig fertilizer trenches 80 to 150 cm long, and 40 to 50 cm each in depth and width. Into each trench press 40 to 50 kg of green grass, 10 to 20 kg of farmyard manure, and 0.5 to 1 kg of superphosphate.

5. Fertilization of fruiting trees

① Post-fruiting fertilizer. Mainly organic fertilizer, combined with deep plowing to improve the soil. Each tree should also be given an additional 0.5 to 1 kg of quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer.

② Flower-forcing fertilizer. Apply during the flower bud differentiation period, 1 month before flowering, in November to December. Generally use 0.5 to 1 kg per tree of ammonium sulfate or urea.

③ Flower-fading fertilizer. Apply once when the mango flowers fade, using quick-acting nitrogen and potassium fertilizer, or combine it with pesticide spraying by adding 0.5% to 1% monopotassium phosphate or potassium nitrate as a foliar top dressing.

④ Fruit-swelling fertilizer. The fertilization time is March to April each year. This fertilization amount accounts for 60% of the annual usage. The N:P:K mixing ratio is 8:1:8. Combine with irrigation to provide the water and nutrients needed for fruit expansion.

As described above, planting mangoes requires meeting their environmental requirements; mango is a tropical fruit, so the north is not suitable for growing it. Mango pot cultivation is also very beautiful and elegant, and people who like growing flowers and plants at home can try growing mangoes in pots! While enjoying the growing process, it is also very attractive, and perhaps it may even bear mangoes!