Can you grow mangoes in the uk

Select a seed from the ripest fruit you can find. Carefully remove all the pulp with a sharp knife and wire wool. Rub the seed with sandpaper or make a small cut in it using a chisel. Put the seed in a jam jar of water and put the jar in an airing cupboard or other warm place. Change the water every day for 2 weeks. If your seed starts to shoot, remove from the jar and plant in a 10 cm pot of compost. Seal it and return to the airing cupboard for up to 2 months.

If you grow a mango from a seed, especially if it is one you have obtained directly from India rather than bought from a supermarket, you may find many shoots developing from a single seed — this is called polyembryony. Not all mango cultivars produce polyembryonic seeds. Pot up the seedling as it grows. After the first year, pinch out the top bud in the spring as the plant starts into growth, which will help to keep it bushy.

If you do not have a greenhouse, you may have some success keeping your mango tree in a conservatory when the weather is cold.

Natively, the mango tree can be found growing around swampy areas where there is a good degree of humidity and moisture. During the summer months, it may be perfectly feasible to bring your tree out of the greenhouse and onto a patio. However, gardeners should keep in mind that these trees do not like the shade.

Find a spot in full sun and if the temperature begins to drop, be sure to rehome your tree. One of the greatest benefits of giving your mango tree plenty of sunlight is that this will encourage the tree to flower. This could take some time so it is important to be patient but you will be rewarded for this.

Not only will you benefit from a beautiful floral display, but, provided that the mango tree has been correctly looked after, there may be a couple of fruits to follow. These trees can get quite large and as long as you look after them, they will thrive year after year. In addition to this, it is vital that you keep in mind that mango trees, from the time they are planted, may take as many as five years to begin producing fruits. This is in their native environment so you may have something of a wait on your hands.

While there are some plants and trees that require barely any maintenance, you should think of a mango tree as more of a pet that requires daily care. One of the biggest problems faced by mango trees that are grown in the UK or other colder climates is that even a small exposure to a draught can cause deterioration in its health.

If you are unsure of whether the tree is being exposed to a draught, it can be helpful to look at its condition, checking it regularly for signs of deterioration. One of the main signs that the tree is becoming a little too cold is that the ends of the leaves may begin to turn brown. This can be fixed by removing any discoloured tips and providing the tree with additional warmth. You can do this either by moving it to a less draughty location or using a horticultural fleece.

Another issue with mango trees is that they can sometimes be prone to pests. The best way to tackle this problem is to use an organic pest wash or some water to wash away any pests or their eggs. Aphids can be a particular problem and their eggs can be very stubborn. If you notice any damage to the leaves, it is important to remove these as they may hinder the future growth of healthy leaves.

Mango trees will normally do very well when grown using a seed that has been sourced from one of the native growing places. It is possible to purchase seeds that have been directly shipped from India and in this case, you may find that you have a very successful sprout from the first seed.

However, it is also possible to take a seed from a mango fruit and use this in a pot. If you are going to try this method, it is important that you follow some simple yet vital instructions to ensure the best outcome for your seed. Once your seed is fully prepared, you will need to have a little patience while it shoots. The best method is to place the seed into a jar of water and place it in a warm location. If you have an airing cupboard in your home this will provide the best environment.

The water should be changed every two weeks and the seed may take up to four weeks to germinate. At this point, you can transfer the seed to a pot filled with at least 10cm of compost.

In the event that your seed has not sprouted, you may still be able to grow the tree by planting the seed into compost and covering the pot with some plastic.

You will need to pop it back into its warm location and wait for at least two months. If everything goes smoothly, you should soon start to see your tree growing. It is imperative that you keep it well watered but do not allow the soil to become over moist. If there is too much moisture in the soil then the roots of the mango plant will begin to rot.

However, when your mango plant turns into a large mango tree, it will need significantly more water.