Imagine stepping onto your terrace and being greeted by the sweet scent of ripe mangoes hanging from trees, swaying gently in the breeze. Contrary to popular belief, these luscious fruits can thrive in potted environments and don’t require a sprawling orchard to flourish. In fact, with the right care and conditions, you can grow a mature mango plant right on your terrace. In this article, we will explore some of the best mango trees for terrace gardening, allowing you to enjoy the pleasures of homegrown mangoes while relishing the joys of gardening.
Choosing the Best Mango Trees for Terrace Gardening
Growing mango trees in a terrace garden is an excellent way to enjoy fresh, juicy mangoes right at home. But with so many different varieties of mango trees available, it can be challenging to choose the best one for your space. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best mango tree varieties that are perfect for growing in a terrace garden.
Consider the size of your terrace garden when choosing a mango tree variety
Before selecting a specific type of mango tree, it’s essential to consider the size and layout of your terrace garden. Some varieties grow quite tall and wide, while others are more compact and suitable for smaller spaces. Here are seven different types of mango trees that you might consider:
Kalapadi Mango
The Kalapadi mango is a unique and rare variety found in the Kalapadi region of Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its distinct flavor and aroma. It has a rich, sweet taste with a hint of tanginess, making it a delightful treat for mango lovers. The flesh of the Kalapadi mango is reportedly juicy and tender, offering a smooth and satisfying texture.
This medium-sized fruit weighs about 300-400 grams and has a distinct shape with a powdery white coating on its skin. The mango’s skin is thin and easy to peel, allowing for convenient consumption. The fruit bearing season for this mango variety is from March to June.
##Pro Tip: Provide adequate support for this tree as the branches are delicate and might snap under the weight of the mangoes.
R2E2
The R2E2 mango variety is a popular type of mango that originated in Australia. The highlight of this variety is its large size, attractive appearance, and delicious flavor. The name “R2E2” takes its name from its original breeding program designation, and it has stuck as the commercial name also.
The R2E2 mango is easily recognizable due to its vibrant yellow skin with a blush of red on the sun-exposed side. It has a firm and fibrous flesh, which makes it ideal for eating both fresh and for culinary purposes. The fruit is generally oval or slightly elongated in shape and can weigh anywhere between 450 to 900 grams.
One of the key selling points of the R2E2 mango is its excellent taste. Mango lovers cannot resist its sweet and tangy flavor with a hint of tropical aroma. The flesh is juicy and offers a smooth texture, making it enjoyable to eat. Many people consider it to be one of the tastiest mango varieties available.
The R2E2 mango tree is a vigorous grower and can reach heights of up to 30 feet (9 meters). This variety again is capable of producing high yields of fruit – perfect for terrace gardening.
Nam Dok Mai Mango
The Nam Dok Mai mango is a popular and highly regarded mango variety originating from Thailand. It is renowned for its exceptional taste, fragrant aroma, and smooth, fiber-free texture.
Nam Dok Mai mangoes are medium-sized, elongated fruits with a slightly curved shape. They have a thin, smooth skin that turns from green to yellow as the fruit ripens.
One of the most prized qualities of Nam Dok Mai mangoes is their deliciously sweet flavor. The flesh is tender, juicy, and virtually fiber-free, providing a smooth and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The taste is exceptionally sweet with a delightful balance of tropical flavors. The aroma of a ripe Nam Dok Mai mango is intense and fragrant, adding to the overall sensory experience.
Chaunsa mango
The Chaunsa mango, also known as Chausa or Chaunsey, is a popular mango variety that is native to Pakistan’s Multan region. It is now grown in India and other parts of the world too!
Chaunsa mangoes are medium to large-sized fruits with an oval shape. They have a thin, golden-yellow skin that develops a slight blush of red as the fruit matures. The skin is smooth and often has small, barely noticeable pores.
This mango has a unique combination of tropical flavors, including hints of honey, melon, and citrus. The flesh of the Chaunsa mango is tender, juicy, and nearly fiber-free, providing a smooth and melting texture. The aroma is intensely fragrant, adding to the overall sensory experience.
##Fun Fact: A Legendary Story of Chaunsa Mango
The Chaunsa mango has a rich history that dates back to the rule of Emperor Akbar during the Mughal era in India. According to legend, the emperor tasted a mango so delicious that he named it “Chaunsa,” which means “sucker.” The name refers to how one could suck on the fruit’s sweet flesh until every last drop is consumed.
That’s why you often find people gently squeezing the Chaunsa mango until it becomes squashy. Then, they poke or bite a small hole from the top and suck the mango pulp until it is completely juiced out.
Mallika Mango
The Mallika mango is a hybrid variety that was developed in India. It is one of the most popular mango trees for terrace gardening . It has an excellent flavor, attractive appearance, but is relatively small in size.
Mallika mangoes are medium-sized fruits with an oval to round shape. They have a smooth, golden-yellow skin with a slight blush of orange or red. The skin is often thin and may have small white dots or speckles. This is a mid-season mango and the fruit typically ripens from late June through July.
Mallika mangoes are highly regarded for their sweet and tangy flavor. They are known for their juicy, fiberless flesh that offers a smooth and melting texture. The taste is often described as a delightful blend of sweetness and acidity, providing a refreshing and tropical flavor experience.
Mallika mango trees are semi-dwarf and compact in size, making them suitable for smaller gardens or container cultivation. They are vigorous growers and can adapt to a range of climates.
##Pro Tip: If you want more yield from your Mallika mango tree, ensure that the PF of the soil is high – 5.5-7.5.
Kulombu Mango/ Colombo Mango
The Colombo mango, also known as the “Malwana” mango. This is a popular mango variety that is grown in Sri Lanka. It is named after the city of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
Colombo mangoes are medium-sized fruits with an oval or oblong shape. They have a smooth and thin skin that turns from green to yellow as the fruit ripens. The skin may develop some light spots or blushes of red on the sun-exposed side.
The Colombo mango is highly regarded for its sweet and aromatic flavor. It is known for its succulent, juicy flesh that has a smooth and fiberless texture. The taste is a delightful blend of sweetness with a hint of tanginess, providing a refreshing tropical flavor experience.
The Langra mango
The Langra mango is a popular and well-regarded mango variety that originated in India. It is known for its unique flavor, smooth texture, and distinctive greenish-yellow skin.
Langra mangoes are medium-sized fruits with an oval or round shape. They have a thin, smooth skin that is predominantly green with a yellowish tinge when fully ripe. The skin may show some light spots or small dots.
As fas as the taste goes, this mango is highly prized for its sweet and tangy flavor. It offers a unique taste profile with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. The flesh of the Langra mango is tender, juicy, and nearly fiberless, providing a smooth and melting texture.
The Langra mango is typically harvested during the summer months, from June to July.
Amrapali Mango
The Amrapali is also one of the popular mango trees for terrace gardening. It is known for its delicious taste, attractive appearance, and high yield. The cultivar was developed in 1971 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, India. It is a hybrid variety derived from the Neelam and Dashehari mangoes.
The Amrapali mango is medium-sized, typically weighing between 250-350 grams. It has an oval or oblong shape with a smooth, greenish-yellow skin when ripe. The flesh is deep orange and juicy.
The mango is known for its sweet, aromatic flavor with a pleasant balance of sweetness and acidity, with hints of tropical fruit and floral notes. The flesh is fiberless, making it smooth and enjoyable to eat.
The Amrapali mango tree is a vigorous grower and a heavy bearer. It produces large clusters of fruit, making it commercially attractive. The harvesting season for Amrapali mangoes is typically from June to July in India.
One of the notable characteristics of the Amrapali mango tree is its resistance to certain diseases, including anthracnose and powdery mildew. This makes it relatively easier to cultivate and maintain compared to some other mango varieties.
Planting Techniques for Successful Growth of Mango Trees in a Terrace Garden
Growing mango trees in a terrace garden can be challenging, but with the right techniques, it is possible to enjoy fresh and juicy mangoes straight from your own garden. Here are some planting techniques to ensure successful growth of mango trees in your terrace garden.
Choose Dwarf Variety of Mango Trees for Terrace Gardening
When choosing a mango tree for your terrace garden, it is important to select a dwarf variety that is suitable for container gardening. Dwarf varieties grow up to 10 feet tall and have smaller root systems, making them ideal for growing in containers.
Use a Large Container with Proper Drainage Holes to Plant the Mango Tree
The container you choose should be large enough to accommodate the root system of the mango tree. We recommend a 25-gallon container for most dwarf varieties. Make sure the container has proper drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
Use Well-Draining Soil Mixed with Compost and Sand
Mango trees require well-draining soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5 for optimal growth. The soil should be loose, airy, and have good water-holding capacity. If your terrace garden has heavy clay or sandy soil, you may need to amend it to make it suitable for mango trees.
Adding organic matter such as compost or manure to the soil can improve its fertility and water-holding capacity. Compost provides nutrients to the tree while improving drainage, while manure adds organic matter that increases water retention in sandy soils.
Fill the container with this mix up to two-thirds full.
Water the Mango Tree Regularly but Avoid Overwatering
Mango trees require regular watering during their growing season (spring through fall). Water deeply once or twice a week depending on weather conditions. Avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
Provide Adequate Sunlight and Protect from Strong Winds
Mango trees require full sunlight (at least six hours per day) to produce fruit. Place your container in an area that receives direct sunlight throughout the day. Protect your mango tree from strong winds by placing it against a wall or using a windbreak.
Fertilize Every Two Weeks
Apply fertilizers in early spring when new growth begins and again in late summer before flowering starts. Fertilizing your mango tree every two weeks during the growing season will provide it with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Use a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12.
Avoid using too much fertilizer as it can cause leaf burn and damage the roots. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on dosage and frequency as over-fertilizing can damage the tree roots. Organic fertilizers such as compost and manure are also great options for mango trees as they release nutrients slowly over time.
Prune Regularly
Pruning is essential for promoting branching and fruit production in mango trees grown in containers or pots. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches and trim back the tips of new growth to encourage lateral branching. Prune your mango tree during the dormant season or after harvesting fruit.
Use Disease-Resistant Varieties
When selecting mango trees for your terrace garden, opt for disease-resistant varieties such as Amrapali or Mallika. These varieties are less susceptible to common diseases such as anthracnose and powdery mildew and are well-suited for growing in pots and containers.
Maintain Optimal Growing Conditions
Mango trees thrive in warm temperatures ranging between 25-30°C (77-86°F). They require full sun exposure and well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0-7.0. Ensure that the tree receives adequate water and fertilization to maintain optimal health.
Common Problems with Mango Trees
One common problem faced by many gardeners is the lack of growth in their mango trees. This can be due to a number of factors such as over-watering, poor soil drainage, or inadequate sunlight.
Mango trees grown in pots are more vulnerable to pests and diseases than those planted directly in the ground. This is because potted plants have limited space for their roots to grow, which can weaken the plant’s immune system. Potted plants are more prone to water stress, which makes them more susceptible to fungal infections.
Regularly inspect your mango tree to detect any signs of disease or pest infestation early on. Look out for black spots on the leaves or fruit, which could indicate fungal infections such as anthracnose or powdery mildew. If left untreated, anthracnose can cause severe damage to your tree and reduce fruit yield. To treat anthracnose, use fungicides containing copper or sulfur. If you notice any signs of disease, take appropriate measures such as pruning infected branches immediately to prevent its spread.
Where to Buy Mango Trees for Terrace Gardening
You can buy mango trees for terrace gardening from your local nursery, Amazon or online nurseries. We also suggest you look up these 3 nurseries who have a good collection of young plants perfect to grow in your terrace garden.
Please check with them about delivery and dispatch details or if you live nearby, visit their nursery. We have no affiliation to the below mentioned nurseries and cannot stand guarantee for their services.
KPS Nursery: Whatsapp: 8248239904 ,6383794910,6379384693
Razz Garden: Whatsapp: 9562600777
JK Nursery: Whatsapp: 9894256188
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like biting into a juicy, sweet mango that you’ve just picked from your very own terrace garden. Not only is it incredibly satisfying to grow your own fruit, but the taste of freshly harvested mangoes is unparalleled.
Pick the right variety of mangoes and follow the good practices outlined in our guide, and you will soon be on your way to harvesting these delicious fruits straight from your own terrace garden!
Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave a Reply