It's time to grow Mangoes! - Nov 20, 2009
You might think the Mangoes you buy in the shop taste sweet but just like tomatoes, home grown taste so much sweeter. In Queensland Mango trees grow up to 20 metres high but in the Macarthur area you will be lucky if it grows 5 metres high in 10 years.
If you have a hot sunny position that is protected from frost then you can grow your very own Mango tree. The beauty of Mango trees is that they can bear fruit from the very first year you plant them.
The tree will be covered in white blossom in Spring and the fruit will be ready to eat in February. The fruit will grow at least twice as big as the ones you buy because the mangoes in fruit shops are picked green then forced to colour.
Mango trees like good drainage so if you have clay soil you will need to dig at least two bags of Greengold Planting compost into the soil. This organic rich soil will break down the clay in time and also allow the soil to hold more water. Yes mangoes love water but they don't like boggy soil.
In spring when they start to flower spray the plant with Mancozeb plus. This fungicide ensures the flowers don't just drop off. The fruit will have to be sprayed with an insecticide as they begin to colour to prevent fruit fly. Because the fruit grow so big you will need to support the fruit when the tree is young or the weight of the fruit will spoil the shape of the tree for ever.
The best variety is Bowen Mango or Kensington pride.These are actually the same tree sold under different names. Grafted trees are more expensive but you are guaranteed to get top quality fruit.
Mangoes and other tropical fruit trees are available in your local garden centre now.
Tim Pickles is a CNP horticulturist and director of Tim's Garden Centre 2 Queen St Campbelltown 46267022.