Mango

(Mangifera Indica)

How Do Mangoes Grow?

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Mangoes are grown in tropical and subtropical regions, they require a frost free climate in order to grow and bear fruit.

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USDA Hardiness Zones 10b to 11 

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Seasonal Growth

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(Based on a tropical/ subtropical climate)

Spring: Planting, flowering, tree growth and harvest - temperatures must be above 40F, 

Summer: Planting, growth, fruit, and harvest- keep soil well drained. Protect tree from excess rainfall and over watering, which will damage and prevent crop.

Fall: Growth, fruit, and harvest- if needed; protect tree from incoming frost

Winter: Growth and fruit, with temperatures no lower than 40F.

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Health Benefits

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Mangoes are rich in fiber, antioxidants and enzymes that help boost the immune system. 

Insoluble fiber within the mango, helps eliminate waste that builds up in the colon, and helps to prevent constipation. 

The mango fruit plays an important role in the prevention of cancer and heart disease.

 

History

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Mangoes are native to south and southeastern Asia and India. The fruit has been documented in Hindu writings as far back as 4000B.C, where it was considered a sacred fruit. The mango arrived in the Middle East, East Africa, Central and South America around 300 A.D. 

 

Mangoes have been in the U.S for more than a century. Productivity is limited to subcultural states, primarily Florida, California, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. 

 

Propagation

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Trees are pollinated by the bees, wasps, flies, and other insects that are attractive to the flowers pollen. 

 

The mango seed, within the fruit, is the most common way to propagate. The seed should be planted within a few days after picking the fruit from the tree, and should be placed in the ground before it dries out. 

 

Tree grafting can also be used to propagate a mango tree. However, it is a much longer and complex process. 

 

The ideal soil for planting and growing mangoes, is well-drained, and rich with nutrition, light sand, and clay.

 

Harvesting

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A mango tree may bear fruit for up to 45 years or more. When picking the fruit off the tree, look for signs of red, orange, and yellow color. Mangoes are ripe when the flesh inside of the fruit turns a deep yellow, regardless of the color variation on the outside. The texture of the flesh also becomes more wet and slippery. 

 

Mangoes will ripen after they have been picked, but there is level of maturity that it needs to achieve before being removed from the tree. When a mango becomes completely ripe, it will fall off the tree and bruise. Bruising will cause the fruit to rot sooner, so careful handling is required to prevent damage. 

 

Storage

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Store mangoes in room temperature until ripe. To speed up the ripening process, place near kitchen window. When a mango is soft, it is ready to eat.

Once a mango is pealed and sliced, store it in an airtight container or plastic bag and refrigerate.

Freeze mango slices to preserve for several weeks.

 

Fun Facts

Mangoes are most productive in countries that boarder the equator, such as Southeast Asia, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala, Hawaii, and Haiti.

 

India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, and Mexico are amongst the top 5 major mango producing countries in the world. 

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Common varieties that are sold in the U.S include the Kent, Haden, Tommy Atkins, Keitt, and Ataulfo.

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Mangoes are most commonly eaten fresh, in salads, beverages, dried fruit, vegetable dishes, desserts, jelly, and chutney.

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