Questions about growing a mango tree

Mak starts with ...
Hi

I want to grow a mango tree and hopefully get some fruits in a few years.

Which is easier to grow R2E2 or Kensington?

Is it easy enough to grow from a seed from a store bought mango or should I buy a seedling or grafted?

Also I don't understand the difference between a seedling and grafted please explain it to me.

Do I need to buy insecticide to protect the mango tree?

I will be grateful for any help you can give me.

BJ says...
Kensignton Pride grows true to type from seed and its fine to grow from store bought fruit. R2E2 will not grow true to type. A grafted plant will generally stay smaller and flower straight away and fruit earlier. the seedling will take at least 5 years to produce, but KP seedlings do so reliably. Seedlings grow into much larger trees.

Jason says...
R2E2 IS polyembryonic. How do you think the Americans got it true to type :)

VF says...
R2E2 can be both poly and mono according to http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/26_18927.htm so best stick to grafts.

mak says...
Thank you for your replies.

I contacted my local Bunnings. They said they have Bowen but not Kensington and R2E2 though they can order them for me.

Can I attach the graft to any type of tree or I can only attach it to certain trees.

Brain says...
Bowen is synonymous with Kensington Pride, so technically they are one of the same. The one the are probably refering to is from Birdwood, which the label reads "Bowen", only thing is, I don't know if it's grafted or seedling grown - I think it's the latter - please double check.

Grafted means in simple terms, you get a variety you like (scion), and you implant them onto a rootstock, so in effect, you have a (single) plant that is consist of 2 parts from 2 plants. The pros is, you get fruit of a type you want and is generally quicker to fruit. (And if you want to go to the technical side, dieseas resistances and soil compatibility).

The choice should come down to - select a mango variety that you like to eat, then consider the size of the tree/growth habbits and then get a grafted one where possible, especially for those with less patience.

Daley has some grafted mangos you may also want to consider.

lenn says...
Shouldn't be a problem but- you may get a mango-orange cross.

Jason says...
BJ did you or anyone up north ever try mango on kaffir plum?. Always had me wondering...

Jason says...
They do look similar. The thing is the kaffir grows like a champ down here. Pretty surprising. Its very frost sensitive but mine has grown into a big tree really quickly. Pity I only have one tree and its a male.

VF says...
Re hole, it depends on what kind of soil you're on. If it's clay, can loosen top of soil a bit and add gypsum and organic matter, but don't dig down, instead mound soil up or you may end up with a drowned tree. If very sandy, do a search on this forum - lots of WA gardners with good advice. If you're fortunate enough to have a good quality soil that's free draining, make a hole that's at least 2-3 times wider than pot. Can dig in some well composted animal manure or compost, but don't put fertiliser in as you may burn roots.

To remove tree from the pot, start by making sure soil in the pot is moist. Put pot/plant on its side and slightly tilted upside-down, and gently pull out - with the longer pots that mangoes are in, you may lose a little soil. Support the root ball with your hands and place in hole. Plant tree at the same level as it was in the pot.

I wouldn't worry about ants unless they harvest excessive scale insects.

VF says...
Good luck!

MaryT says...
Hundreds of mangoes, Michael! Lucky you. Looks like a great harvest. I am particularly interested in the strawberry guava; I have a tree that's as yet to give me fruit. Sigh. At least I am eating yellow cherry guavas and figs. :)

Michael D says...
Yeah It's been a great year so far in 2013 for me. Hundreds of mangoes on two trees and very productive dragon fruits . Last year I only had 2 mangoes so the weather plays a very important factor. I was growing the yellow cherry guava and the fruits were larger than the red but it was too sweet for me so I sold it .

Brain says...
I believe the Pearl Mango is one of them and is available to purchase/eat. Not sure about the other 2.

Brain says...
I stand corrected then. :)

I honestly did read pearl was a new release a few years ago and they were still waiting for the other 2. Oh well, i shall blame old age. Lol.