Things You\’ll Need
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Shovel
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Loam
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Peat moss
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Leaf mold
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Perlite
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Garden hose
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Water-soluble fertilizer
Mango trees, known botanically as Mangifera indica, are tropical, evergreen trees that are cultivated for their glossy, green leaves, fragrant flower panicles and sweet, juicy fruit. Mangifera indica \”Manila\” is a Philippine mango tree cultivar whose small, manageable size and vigorous fruit production make it an ideal candidate for the home landscape. Manila mango trees perform best in warm climates, such as U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11.
Step 1
Grow Manila mango trees in full sun sites with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Work 3 inches loam, 2 inches peat moss, 2 inches leaf mold and 1 inch perlite into the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches to improve its nutrition, aeration and drainage. Plant your Manila mango tree at the same depth it grew in its nursery container.
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Step 2
Provide Manila mango trees with ample moisture during the spring and summer months to ensure the production of healthy fruit. Water your Manila mango trees every seven to 10 days to maintain evenly moist soil; apply up to 2 inches of water each time you irrigate.
Step 3
Feed young Manila mango trees with an application of a water-soluble, high-nitrogen fertilizer each year in the early spring. Switch to an annual application of a water-soluble fertilizer that\’s high in phosphorus and potassium once the trees start to bear fruit. Apply fertilizer products according to the directions on the label.
Step 4
Harvest fresh mangoes from the tree as soon as they\’re ripe; in most cases this is four to five months after flowering. Look for mangoes that have a purplish-red blush at the base of the fruit. Pull gently on the mangoes; if they\’re sufficiently ripe, the stems will snap without much effort.
Tip
Prune Manila mango trees each year after the trees complete their fruiting cycle. Use sharp, sterile loppers or a hand saw to cut out any diseased, broken, dead or rubbing branches.
Warning
Mango trees are susceptible to damage from Mediterranean fruit flies and scale insects. Treat infested trees with an insecticide product if their health starts to decline.