Hortiforum

General Info – Mango

The iconic tropical fruit, Mango, is globally beloved for its juicy, sweet flavour, boasting a diverse range of cultivars that can be cultivated.
Fruit
Mangoes have a vast array of forms, due to their array of cultivars addressed below, and can have varying shapes and sizes. The luscious flesh of ripe mangoes is enjoyed and consumed in numerous ways, from fresh eating to various processing methods such as drying, freezing, or transforming them into chutneys, jams, or mango nectar. Mangoes are versatile fruits, perfect for inclusion in smoothies, ice cream, fruit salads (both sweet and spicy), and as a key component in dishes like Mango Sticky Rice, to name but a few of their uses across many cuisines. Green Mangoes with their crispy texture are also very popular throughout Asia.
Due to their ancient and widespread cultivation, there is a vast array of Mango varieties available, each with unique appearances, preferences, tolerances, and delightful flavours. These varieties span from the Southeast Asian Nam Doc Mai, characterised by its elongated, golden-yellow fruits, which are fibreless and without tartness, to the South Asian Alphonso, boasting red-tinged fruits of moderate size but distinguished by an incredibly creamy, rich flavour that makes them esteemed throughout India, and the Floridian Keitt, featuring large, bright green fruits that are fibreless, sweet, and tangy, with a subtle hint of Lemon.
While Mangoes are now extensively cultivated across all tropical and subtropical climates, they are believed to have originated in South Asia. However, cultivation in Southeast Asia is ancient enough to have produced a distinct ‘Southeast Asian’ genetic type. The common species name, “Indica,” derives from the Greek word meaning “of India,” where the mango holds the esteemed status of being the national fruit.
Cultivation
Mangoes prefer tropical-subtropical monsoonal or savanna climates with a relatively dry winter period followed by hot, wet summers. Some varieties prefer relatively cool-mild winters for optimal fruiting, although species native to even equatorial conditions and enjoying year round tropical temperatures are plentiful. Dry conditions during the dormant winter period promote flowering in spring, while abundant water and heat are crucial during budding and fruit ripening. In many subtropical climates lacking intense summer rainfall, supplemental watering is beneficial. Cold, frosty winters can damage trees and impact flowering; for cooler climates, varieties such as Keitt and Nam Doc Mai, which reportedly flower and set fruit better in cooler conditions, are recommended.
Mangoes have a reasonable tolerance for waterlogging and flooding but grow best in well-drained soils, avoiding excesses of these conditions. Fertility is secondary to Mangoes and both alkaline to acidic soils are tolerated, with soil structure being of higher priority although many types are tolerated. It’s generally advised to avoid high nitrogen fertilisers until after fruiting to prevent encouraging foliar growth over fruiting. Certain cultivars, like Kwan and Glenn, exhibit greater resistance to black spot and anthracnose, which may be problematic in certain areas.
Appearance
With their dark green, elongated leaves that start as attractive copper-colored new growth, mango trees are a recognisable sight in any garden. Fruit typically grows from terminal growth, so pruning should be done post-harvest to ensure the preservation of fruiting wood for the subsequent crop. Mature mango trees can become imposing figures, reaching heights of over 20 metres. Naturally dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties are available, keeping to heights ranging from 3-5 metres tall. Mango inflorescences emerge from the terminal growth, comprised of erect, red-stemmed panicles adorned with creamy-white flowers exuding a sweet aroma.
No tropical garden is complete without a Mango tree, and by cultivating them at home, gardeners can enjoy a variety of flavourful, juicy mangoes.

Plant Profile/Properties