Mangos produce large ovate or kidney-shaped fruits ranging in colour from pale green and yellow to intense reds and purples, measuring 2 to 9 inches long. Open-field cultivation has some limitations, and plants are highly susceptible to pests and diseases. Due to this, many growers use chemicals that cause pollution and contamination of the fruit.
Leaching and massive fertilizer use also pose problems. Plant your mango tree in a greenhouse if you enjoy mango fruit but do not want to pay the high price tag with its exotic status. In greenhouses, several mango cultivars perform exceptionally well.
How to Grow Mangoes in a Greenhouse
Varieties Suitable for Growing in Greenhouse
- Carabao: Manila mangoes are also known as Carabao mangoes, a species from the Philippines. Historically, it has been considered the national fruit of the Philippines. Mangoes from this variety are sweeter, juicier, and less stringy than mangoes from other varieties.
- Dasheri: Dasheri mangos are sweet and aromatic peach-coloured fruits with little fibre. This Indian fruit has a yellowish-green skin when ripe, typically in the summertime.
- Kent: Many growers compare the Kent species to a tropical peach for its sweet, juicy texture and hint of sourness. Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru are the countries where Kent mangoes are sourced.
- Langra: Langra mangoes belong to the Varanasi variety, one of the most famous mango species. In addition to being juicy and sweet, they are somewhat sour or tart at the same time and rich in fivers.
Soil Requirements for Growing Mango Trees in a Greenhouse
Soil rich in organic matter that is light, well-drained, and well-draining is ideal for this plant. pH levels between 5.5 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) are ideal. A high-quality potting mix is better than regular soil from the garden. When planting, you should also add 1/3 of well-rotted manure or compost to the soil mix. Clay, loam, and sand are the most popular ingredients for potting mango trees.
Light Requirements for Growing Mango Trees in a Greenhouse
Make sure the planting area receives 6 hours of sunlight per day. Mangoes can also be grown in large pots in the greenhouse or in a spacious area that receives full sunlight. Mango trees vary in size from species to species, but most grow quite large and can live for more than 40 years. Place the mango 3.7–4.6 meters away from other trees to ensure its success.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements for Growing Mango Trees in a Greenhouse
Ideally, the greenhouse should be large enough to accommodate a mango tree. The tree will need a large amount of space to grow and produce fruit. In the greenhouse, the temperature should be around 27°C. Maintaining a high humidity level, around 60-70%, is also important. In a greenhouse, humidifiers and space heaters can be used to create these conditions.
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How to Plant Mango Trees in Greenhouse
- The mango seeds should be soaked overnight in water to help soften the hull.
- The hull should be carefully removed by cutting along the edge, careful not to damage the seed inside. After that, remove the hull gently, exposing the actual mango seed within.
- The pot should be big enough to contain the root ball, and the potting mix should be filled with enough water to allow the roots to grow over the next year.
- You should dig a hole 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep, slightly larger than the seed.
- Cover the seed with soil, pressing lightly to ensure good soil contact, and place it in the hole with the pointed end facing downward.
- Maintain the soil evenly moist by watering the pot thoroughly and placing it in a warm, sunny location,
- The mango seed must germinate before it can be harvested. You must be patient. Two to three weeks are required for this process.
- Once the seedling emerges, continue providing ample light and regularly water it.
- When your mango plant becomes rootbound or outgrows its container, transplant it into a larger pot.
- Investing in a rolling plant stand will be beneficial as the mango tree grows and the container grows.
You should plant the tree with the root ball spread as wide as possible once the pot is 1/3 full. The best way to maintain your mango tree is to repot it every 12 to 24 months. If not, it could become rootbound and remain dormant for a long time. A happy tree has plenty of room for its roots to grow.
Watering Requirements for Growing Mangoes in a Greenhouse
Mango trees grown in containers require more watering than ground ones. During the first 2-3 years of your mango plant’s life, you will have to water it regularly. During the pre-flowering period, the tree begins to receive moderate water once it is established and mature enough to bear fruits. Until a few weeks or a month before mango harvest, water regularly from the flowering stage to fruit formation until 40-50 per cent of the tree is full of flowers. Continue to water moderately during this period.
Fertilizer Requirements for Growing Mangoes in a Greenhouse
Generally, 170 grams of urea, 110 grams of single superphosphate, and 115 grams of muriate of potash per plant can be applied per year from the start to the tenth year, and after that, 1.7 kg, 1.1 kg, and 1.15 kg of these fertilizers can be applied per plant in two equal split doses (June-July and October). A foliar spray of 3% urea is recommended if the soil is sandy before flowering.
Pruning Mango Trees Growing in a Greenhouse
Trees should be trimmed once a year in early spring. Pruning provides space for branches to form during annual maintenance. Dead or sucker branches from the main structural branches should be removed. Cut branches 2.5 cm from the trunk after the last fruit of the season if there is too much crowding near the center. Cut off branches too wide or tall to limit their outward growth. Any damaged branches should be pruned off. Branches that are broken, dead, or dying should be removed using sharp, clean hand pruners.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases in Mango Trees
Mealybugs, aphids, and mites are some of the most common insect pests that attack mango trees. Tiny webs, clumps of white powdery residue, and visible insects characterize a plant infestation. Treating infestations as soon as possible is important so they do not spread to the rest of your collection. Initially, choose the least toxic treatment option and only use more serious chemicals if those fail. The mango plant is also susceptible to anthracnose, a fungus that causes black lesions that gradually spread across the plant.
Trees that are seriously infected stop producing fruit. Preventing this disease is as simple as planting a resistant cultivar in full sun, where moisture quickly evaporates. The presence of extreme humidity fosters the development of anthracnose and other fungal diseases. To prevent anthracnose, you should avoid using fungicides within 14 days of harvesting mangoes. Copper-based fungicides can sometimes be effective, but you should not use them within 14 days of picking mangoes.
Harvesting a Mangoes
About six years after seed sowing, mango trees bear fruit. It usually needs 3 to 5 years for saplings to bear fruit. After flowering, mango fruits mature between 100 and 150 days later. Letting the fruit ripen on the tree for the best flavor is best. It will turn to its mature color and become soft to the touch, like a peach, when it is ripe. Most cultivars change color as they ripen; the smell is a good indicator of ripeness. Mangoes are best harvested with their stems still attached and handled carefully to prevent them from snapping.
In case you missed it: How to Grow Petunias in a Greenhouse: A Step-By-Step Guide for Seed to Harvest
Conclusion
Due to increased demand, mango cultivation has spread to temperate regions. Mango trees are sensitive to cold and should be grown in greenhouses to prevent chilling injury. In mango farming, greenhouse cultivation can be implemented to produce mangos with high quality and yield.
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