Guidelines for Mango Tree Care

Location

• Plant mango trees where they will be exposed to full sunlight for healthy growth and fruit production. Protection from wind is beneficial because wind may damage the flowers or cause mangoes to fall from the tree prematurely. Mango trees thrive in nearly any well-drained soil, but they won't tolerate soggy soil or areas that are prone to flooding.

Water

• Mango trees benefit from regular watering until the tree is established. Saturate the soil immediately after planting, then water every other day for the first week. After the first week, water deeply every four to five days until the tree is 2 months old. After that time, watering once a week during dry weather is sufficient. No irrigation is needed once the tree is 4 years old, but an occasional watering during periods of drought is beneficial. Avoid watering during fall and winter.

Fertilizer

• Mango trees benefit from a low nitrogen fertilizer, such as ones with a ratio of 1-2-2 or 10-20-20. Feed a young mango tree 1/4 pound of fertilizer, then feed the tree monthly. Increase the amount of fertilizer gradually until the tree receives 1 pound of fertilizer at 1 year of age. After that time, give the tree between 1 1/2 and 3 pounds of fertilizer during the second and third year. Divide the fertilizer into three or four feedings between early spring and midsummer. After the third year, divide the fertilizer into two feedings -- once just before flowering, and again after harvest.

Pruning

• Pruning promotes healthy growth and fruit production. Prune a mango tree lightly immediately after blooming, before new growth appears. Prune the tree to maintain the desired size. Remove branches rubbing on or crossing other branches. You can also prune the tree in early spring to remove broken branches and other winter damage. More-drastic pruning won't harm the tree, but it may delay fruiting for a year.