seed growing of fruit bearing crops in your prepared
polyethylene plastic bags. Sow at least 25 seeds of mango.
RESOURCES
seeds
container
pail
basin
knife
chemicals
personal protective equipment
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seed growing of fruit bearing crops in your prepared
polyethylene plastic bags. Sow at least 25 seeds of mango.
RESOURCES
seeds
container
pail
basin
knife
chemicals
personal protective equipment
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Answer:
Establishing a healthy, productive orchard requires planning and preparation. Once you have determined that the climate and soil is suitable and selected varieties, you must also decide on how to propagate the planting material.
The two basic propagation options for mangoes are by seed or grafting. The best propagation method will depend on the cultivars required and the growing conditions.
Mango seeds are either mono-embryonic (single embryo) or poly-embryonic (multiple embryos) depending on the variety. Only poly-embryonic seeds produce true-to-type (clones) of the parent.
Most cultivars of mango do not produce seedlings true-to-type. Therefore, grafting is often necessary to overcome this problem. Grafting also means that trees produce uniform yield, fruit size and quality.
Propagation by seed
Propagation by seed is only recommended for poly-embryonic mango varieties such as Kensington Pride. Poly-embryonic seeds produce a number of shoots, one of which originates from fertilization. The fertilized seedling is often weak and stunted and should be discarded. The other seedlings are clones of the mother tree.
However, any seed can be used to grow seedlings for grafting. The seedling will become the rootstock. Collect seconds fruit and use to propagate rootstock.
Preparing seed for planting
Mango seeds lose viability very rapidly. It is essential to clean the seed as soon as possible after its removal from the fruit. It then needs to dry in the shade for a day or two.
The outer husk must be removed before planting. The easiest way to extract the embryo is to cut the husk at the stalk end of the fruit to create a small slit. Then pry open the husk with a seed opening tool. A tool can be made by welding the heads of two flat screw drivers to a pair of circlip pliers.
Opening mango seed husk to remove embryo.
Opening mango seed husk to remove embryo
You can tell if the seed is mono- or poly-embryonic by the number of segments.
Mono-embryonic seed has one section only while poly-embryonic varieties much as Kensington Pride divide into several sections
Mono-embryonic seed (left) and poly-embryonic seed
Use a seedling bed
If you are propagating large numbers of seeds consider using a seedling bed. This method saves space, potting medium and time.
Have a large tray filled with potting medium. Good potting medium contains slow release fertilizer, 50% coarse river sand, 25% vermiculite and 25% sphagnum peat moss, and as a minimum should meet the Australian Standard for a standard potting media. Premium media is also available. This is indicated by Standards Australia certification stamped on the bag.
Plant seeds next to each other, about a centimeter apart. The seeds are kidney-shaped. Plant the seed on its edge with the concave edge facing downwards.
Plant the seed concave side down
Leave part of the top of the seed uncovered. If in a few days the seed is green it is healthy and should grow well. If the seed is brown or black it is probably rotting and can be removed and replaced with another seed.
Leave part of the top of the seed uncovered
As the seeds germinate they can be carefully removed from the seedling bed and planted into individual pots.
Germination takes between 10 and 14 days. Within eight months they will have reached a stem diameter of 8-10mm and be 10-15cm high.
Propagation by grafting
Grafting is the process by which part of the parent tree to be reproduced (scion) is joined with a rooted plant (rootstock).
Selection of rootstock
It is important to have rootstocks of similar characteristics to ensure a uniform plantation.
Grafting is best performed when weather conditions are milder, for example autumn or spring. If the seedlings are not yet big enough, delay grafting by two to six months.
Rootstock ready for grafting
Preparation of scion material
The best scion material is obtained from the tips of mature shoots with prominent buds (tip wood) immediately before flushing.
Tip wood can be prepared on the parent tree 7-10 days before they are cut for grafting. Prepare the tip wood by cutting off the leaves but leaving the petioles (leaf stems) attached. The petioles will fall off easily when the scion is ready.
Pre-prepared scion on the parent tree
The scion is cut from the mother tree when required and needs to be 6-8cm long and as close as possible in diameter to that of the rootstock.
Scions can be stored for up to seven days wrapped in a moist novelette or newspaper in a zip lock plastic bag in a cool, dark place. If propagating large numbers, drop batches of scion wood into a bucket of water to stop them drying out.
Alternatively, the bud wood can be selected on the day and prepared by remove leaves, but leaving the petioles. The scion is ready for immediate use.
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