Any fruit growing experts. Can I successfully plant a mango seed I bought from the grocery store?

Question

Any fruit growing experts. Can I successfully plant a mango seed I bought from the grocery store?

Answer 1

No problema.  However, growing something from that seed might be a different matter....

First, rinse and dry the seed, then identify via research where the seed usually sends out a shoot.  (Most any position except topside-down will work for most seeds, so on its side is safe.)

For most seeds, planting at a depth of 1-1/2 times its width is appropriate.  Again, do your homework (check internet, then run it by someone at a good nursery) to learn what soil composition and conditions your seed would like, and how much soil it needs to get started, how often transplanting is advised, and what food/watering/sun schedule it prefers.

Also, most plants prefer music with structure to music that is loud  (ie, classsical music over Jimi Hendrix).

Now, as to actually getting fruit...you need a lesson on Mango s*x.  No kidding.  You probably need another mango tree for fertilization and/or bees or other bugs or very careful attention on your part to spread the pollen.  (I am tempted but will not pursue any jokes here...)

Answer 2

MANGOS can be grown from seed, but they may eventually have to be grafted like other fruit trees. If your small plant has more than one shoot on it, you can take these off to get more plants.

The central, most vigorous shoot is likely to be sexually produced and could be different from the parent in its fruiting characteristics.

Most of the imported varieties of mangos sold in supermarkets grow from a single, sexually produced plant. This is why you may get some variation.

Grafted mangos will fruit in 4-5 years. The plants are self fertile, but with each cluster of thousands of flowers, only one in 2000 may actually set fruit. This strike rate can be reduced dramatically if the plant is growing rapidly at the time or if the weather is too wet and too cold.

It's great to hear about your rewarding citrus tree, too. It's good to hold onto the older varieties as a lot are no longer around and it's often hard to get new stock.

Answer 3

Yes, if it wasn't irradiated.

I grew one from a grocery store mango pit.  

Mangos are very large trees, and if you have any winter at ALL, you can not keep it outside.  It will have to grow in a pot - which means you'll have to keep it bonsai'd to keep it small enough to bring inside.

I was doing this for three years with mine.  Left it out one fall - it BARELY dropped below 32F....and it was immediately as dead as a doornail.

So keep in mind it's REALLY really touchy about cold temps.

Answer 4

yes but our climates may not be the best for mangoes