Mango, the king of fruits, grows in every part of the country — and with a little care it grows on a roof, a balcony or in a courtyard.
Soil and container
Loam is best. Mix it with cow dung and compost, put broken brick over the drainage holes, a layer of straw, then the soil. A half-drum is ideal; a large clay pot will do.
Variety
Among the good ones: Amrapali, Lata, Keitt, Bombai, Sinduri, Dasheri, Chausa, Sravani, Mallika and Neelum.
Planting
Jyaishtha–Ashar (May–July) is the time; Bhadra–Ashwin for Amrapali. Set the graft upright, mound and firm the soil at the base, and keep the graft union above the soil. Water, and if the graft is tall, trim its tip.
Water and feed
Water often at first, then every ten days in dry weather once the tree is established. Fertilise every year, raising the dose as the tree grows.
Pests and flower drop
Flower and fruit drop is the first trouble: a Planofix hormone spray just before and after the blossom opens helps. Treat hoppers and fruit borers as they appear.
The first year
A graft planted in June–July will flower the following January–February. Break off every flower in the first year, and take a light crop the second, so the tree builds strength. Prune for light and air inside the canopy.
Do this, and the roof gives mangoes for a generation.
Photo: Mango blossom — Kayser Ahmad / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Comments
(0)