Benefits of keeping mango trees small
An open canopy with plenty of space between the branches allows for increased sunlight and air circulation, which reduces the likelihood of fungal diseases.
Choosing a small mango tree
The first step in keeping mango trees small is to pick the right variety of mango tree for your garden.
Planting mango trees in containers
Potted mango trees don’t take up too much space so they’re great for decks, courtyards and balconies.
Pruning mango trees
Mango trees are fast growing, so regular pruning is necessary to keep them small and compact.
Dwarf Mango Trees: Not so Difficult to Grow
There’s a reason why mango fruits are one of the favorite tropical fruits, eaten and adored by many. They’re sweet, aromatic, spicy, and tart. But if you’re not in the right climate to grow these yourself, or you don’t have enough free space – don’t worry, growing dwarf mango trees in pots is still possible.
Mango Basics
The mango is referred to by many as the fruit king. It mostly grows in climates that are tropical and warm; hardy winter lands are definitely not meant for the mango. If the temperatures fall below 30 F, the chances are your mango won’t make it. Plus, it does take up quite a lot of room if you want it to grow properly.
Growing Habits
If we’re talking about a native mango tree, it can grow and become positively huge. Some of these can become more than a hundred feet tall! Plus, there are more than half a thousand varieties of this fruit all around the globe. The average mango tree may live to be a century-old if you treat it carefully.
Picking The Best Variety
Unlike its bigger cousin, the dwarf mango tree may only grow to be 2-4 meters tall; you can handily conserve one in a container. And there are plenty of more specific varieties that you can try out – though the Nam Doc Mai and the Irwin trees are the best in containers. Apart from this, the Palmer, Amrapali, Glenn, and King Thai are also good.
Requirements For Growing Dwarf Mangos In Containers
First of all, the basic necessity of any dwarf mango tree is the right soil. You want soil that has plenty of organic matter, light, and proper drainage. You want a pH span of somewhere between 5.5 and 7.5; meaning neutral to slightly acidic. You may want to find a good potting mix instead of using regular garden soil.
Growing In Colder Climates
As we’ve mentioned, you could try to grow a dwarf mango tree in a colder climate as well. However, in that case, you need to do everything you can to enable the tree to have as much heat as possible. For example, put it in a darker-colored container or pot; black and darker colors tend to absorb and keep more heat.
Do mango trees really need pruning
Mangos, also called Mangifera Indica, are large, everlasting trees originating in South Asia. They are very popular in Australia, and the country produces over 46,000 tonnes each year. It is highly recommended to regularly prune your mango tree to keep it smaller in size. If left unattended, mango trees could grow to become gigantic.
How to best prune a mango tree
Mango trees grow in size within the first 2-3 years of their life, which means that pruning in that period is crucial to keep them under control. The ideal mango tree should have 3 or maximum 4 main trunks, open canopy and be 4-5 meters high.
When to prune your mango tree
There is usually no need to prune your mango tree on an annual basis. The initial pruning should be done in the spring or in the summer when the tree reaches over 1 meter in height. The second pruning should be done immediately after the first harvest and completed by the end of December.
Takeaways
Mango trees could grow to be up 100 meters in height and over 35 meters in width if left unpruned;
