By Spy Uganda
A delicious fruit having a wonderful flavor and charming fragrance is none other than mango that we are talking about. This king of fruit is loaded with high vitamin A and C and therefore, has the great market demand all the year around.
So, if you also want to start a new tree farming business then growing mango tree is a good idea. Mango trees are hardy in nature and need relatively low maintenance than other fruit tree farming. Here we will tell you more about advanced mango farming techniques, how to grow a mango tree.
Mango trees are vigorous in nature and require less maintenance than other commercial fruit tree farming business. Hence, mango cultivation can be done anywhere, where there is not much humidity in the atmosphere along with good rainfall and dry atmosphere. But, at the time of flowering, low temperature is essential like winter or monsoon.
It is to be noted that, hot & temperate climatic conditions are the habitat of the mango tree. Temperature ranging between 24 to 30‘C is considered as the best suitable for mango cultivation for getting increased number of mangoes.
It is best advised to stay away from those areas where winds and cyclones keep coming. Mango is a large sized tree which can be destroyed by speedy winds or cyclone. At times, heavy winds break the branches badly.
Take care that mango trees are more sensitive to the cold atmosphere, usually in winter. A mango tree can survive up to some low temp. (around 10 ‘C). Therefore, avoid growing mangoes in such climatic conditions. But, if you have cultivated them in such conditions, then don’t forget to develop a warm atmosphere in your mango farm to prevent the damage of small branches and also the foliage.
For the purpose of commercial mango farming, mangoes are mainly propagated by the grafting method such as veneer grafting, epicotyl grafting, arching grafting etc. Though, good quality mango tree can be prepared in less time by the Vinier and Softwood Grafting.
Planting mango must be done in the beginning of the rainy season. The risk of plant death is comparatively low in the rainy season. Rainwater helps the plant to fix faster.
But, the best time for planting mango plant is the month of July to August. Though, the best time for mango planting in the irrigation region is from the Feb. to March.
Spacing for Mango Farming; The spacing varies from 10 X 10 M to 13 X 13 M. In dry areas, the spacing should be 10 X 10 M due to less growth. But, in heavy rainfall area & fertile soil, the spacing should be 13 X 13 M due to higher physical growth.
If your soil is infertile, then it must be supplemented at the time of planting. First, prepare a suitable pit for this. Then, add about 25 kg of farmyard manure along with 3 kg of Super Phosphate and one kg of Potash.
The row spacing (about 10 m) along with tree spacing (around 5 m) is supposed to be the best mango tree plantation distance. By this, you can easily plant around 70 mango plants per acre, which is considered as average mango plantation per acre.
Adding to it, one can also go for ultra high-density mango plantation for more fruit production.
Irrigation in Mango Farming; Mango trees need less water than other commercial fruit tree farming like banana farming. Mango farm should be irrigated at an interval of two to three days, in the first year of your mango farming business. However, at the stage when they start to bear fruit about two irrigations are required.
You must give water to the fruits bearing plant at an interval of 10 – 15 days. Irrigation should be stopped after their full growth. Take proper care during the flowering stage. During this stage, stop giving them water. However, if irrigation does not stop, it may lead to bad quality mango fruit production.
Mango trees grow easily from seed. First, get a fresh mango pit and slit the hard husk. Now, remove the seed inside and plant it in seed starter mix in a large pot. You must situate the seed with ¼-inch protruding above the soil surface when growing mango trees.
Must keep the soil evenly moist and place the pot where temperatures remain a minimum of 70 F. (21 C.). Sprouting can occur as early as eight to 14 days, but may take up to three weeks. Must keep in mind that new mango tree seedling will not produce fruit for at least six years.
