How do I grow a mango tree from seed?
Question by The Terminator: How do I grow a mango tree from seed?
I’m trying to grow an indoor mango tree from seed. I’ve done some research and have found various methods, but to date I have not had any luck.
First attempt: I took the seeds out of the husk and planted them directly in soil. The seeds ended up getting moldy and I had to throw them out.
Next, I cut one end of the husk and suspended the seed (while still in the husk) over a glass of water. I covered the whole thing with a plastic bag to make a mini greenhouse. Two of the seeds started to sprout until I realized that the seed was upside down. I turned the seeds around but then they died a few days later.
I tried this method again with more seeds, but this time right side up. Two of the seeds sprouted and one of them produced a ~5″ shoot with tiny little hairlike filaments near the top. At this point I moved it from the pantry to a window sill where it could get light. After a few days, the hairlike filaments turned black and it died.
What do I need to do differently?
Best answer:
Answer by Doug C
After eating or cutting away the fruit of the Mango, the seed must be scraped clean of most of the fibrous material clinging to it. Dry the seed thoroughly. The Mango seed is large and flat and looks a bit like a taco. One edge of the seed will be slightly rounded, the other edge will be a bit sharper. Being very careful, use a sharp knife to cut away enough of this sharp edge to expose a bit of the interior of the seed. Partially pry open the seed shell to expose the plant embryo but leave it intact. Place the seed, cut side up, in a small container of water and place it in a warm sunny location such as a kitchen window. Change the water every 2 or 3 days and in a few weeks the plant will start to grow. When the plant is well established and has about 6 leaves it is time to plant it in potting soil. Regardless of the time of year that I have tried to propagate from mango seed, only about half of the sprouts have survived. One of the problems has been moving the seed from water to soil too soon. The sprout really has to be well established before planting it into moist potting soil. The temperature should remain above 72°F. Propagating this plant may be easier during summer months when heat is free. Another problem may be that many mangoes are picked before they are ripe and the seeds have not fully developed.
The Mango plant can reach the size of a large tree outdoors in tropical climates. Its growth can be restricted somewhat by growing it in a pot indoors during the winter months. It is a very handsome plant with long blade-shaped shiny green leaves. During winter months void placing it near areas such as next to an outside door where cold drafts are likely. The fruit of one variety of Mango is more oblong and golden yellow in color. The other variety is less oblong and has a skin that is green to yellow with about half of the fruit being red on one side. These are the common varieties found most frequently in the U.S.A. All varieties can be propagated in the same way.
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The first method was correct the only thing you’re doing wrong is not giving it enough heat. It’s going moldy because there is some warmth present but not enough.
Try it again but this time keep it on the window sill and use a soda bottle as a garden cloche to keep it warm. This needs to stay on until the foliage becomes to large for it.
When planting the seed, make sure the kidney-dipped edge is facing the surface as this is where the seed will germinate from.
I’ve found that tropical plants (avocados, mangos, orchids, etc…) need greenhouse conditions – humidity and warmth (always above 72 degrees farenheit) to begin to grow and thrive. Otherwise, it’s a losing battle.
If you can create and maintain greenhouse conditions, you might also want to try introducing the seed to soil after it has broken open. Sprouting the mango in water is a good idea, but it needs nutrients from soil relatively quickly after opening. A good way to start seeds in general is to “sprout” them just as you would sprouts in a sprouter. But that’s only to get the seeds soaked in water. You can transfer them to soil before they actually sprout.
don;t bother trying to grow it yourself, you will save yourself a lot of grief by going to a nursery and getting a grafted one, even then you will not get any fruit for many years. Make sure you plant this in a sheltered sunny spot, the wind will blow off most of the flowers if you do not do this.
good luck