If you live in a cooler climate and if you don’t have enough outdoor space to grow mangoes, the good news are that you can actually grow them in containers!
Mangoes are indeed delicious fruits-a mixture of aromatic, spicy, tart, and sweet, they have one of the most unique flavor combos that fruits can offer.
Often referred to as the king of fruits, mangoes grow in warm and tropical climate and dislike very cold temperatures. They actually die if the temperature goes below 30 F.
But, if you fulfill certain conditions it likes, a mango tree can grow in a pot. It will do well in USDA zones from 9b to 11, and in zone 8, but with extra care.
The Best Way to Grow Your Mango in a Pot
Although you may have noticed that a lot of people grow mangoes by propagating it from seeds, this isn’t always the best solution.
Namely, in this way, it may take around 8 years or so to produce fruit and also, you have no guarantee it will produce them and of which kind.
Another better option is to purchase a grafted plant- you can find a lot of mango cultivars today. Ask your local nursery for a dwarf mango variety which can do well in a pot.
With this variety, you need around 2 to 3 years to see fruits-in the first 3 to 5 years, it will grow in size and produce fewer fruits and flowers.
This will change after the 5th year.
How to Pick the Best Variety of Mango?
Dwarf mangoes grow between 6 and 13 feet and are perfect for containers.
Some of the best options for pot growing are the Nam Doc Mai and the Irwin. Other good options are Cogshall, Glenn, and Palmer.
How to Plant Mango in a Pot?
Plant it in a container according to its root ball size and then change accordingly if the plant grows in height, in a year or two.
In the start, a 2-size bigger pot than the root will be sufficient.
Plant your mango in a pot in spring. Choose a well-draining soil with a pH between 5 and 7. Opt for a high-quality potting mix and add some compost or aged manure if possible.
How to Care for Your Mango in a Pot?
Place it in a sunny area with at least 8 to 10 hours of full exposure.
This ensures your mango grows optimally. A south or a west window will be ideal.
In the first 2 to 3 years, make sure you water it regularly. When the tree matures and can bear fruits, water moderately in the pre-flowering period.
When 40 to 50 percent of the tree is full with flowers, resume to regular watering to the fruit formation until several weeks before you can harvest the fruits. Then, water moderately again.
Make sure you also feed it when in active growth phase-in the start of the blooming season, lower the nitrogen and enrich the mango with potassium and phosphorus fertilizer.
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