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India is well known for the exotic fruit, mango which is known as the king of all fruits. Yet there is a mango cultivar known as Alphonso, which is considered to be the king of all mangoes. The country has more than a hundred varieties of mangoes and the climate of India is beneficial for the fruit as well as its trees’ growth. Mango, the national fruit of India is native to South Asia and many varieties are found in nature as wild mangoes.
History of Alphonso mango and states they cultivate the fruit
The name of the mango variety comes from a Portuguese viceroy named Alphonso de Albuquerque of the 15th century. He was a famous military person who helped Portugal to establish its colonies in Goa during the time. During the time Goa varieties such as ‘sucking type’ was prominent, but he wanted to introduce mango variety that is firm in texture so that they can be cut and served. They began to graft until they succeed in getting the cultivar called Alphonso. The variety has been cultivated in all most all parts of India, but the most famous, tasty and expensive variety is from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
Alphonso Mango Characteristics
The most important and peculiar trait of this variety is that it is non-fibrous unlike many varieties of mangoes in the country. The shape of the fruit is somewhat like an egg. It normally weighs between 200-400 grams. When the fruit is young it will be dark green and when it becomes ripe the outer skin turns cheerful golden-yellowish and its flesh becomes saffron-colored. The fruit is a seasonal fruit and is available mainly from the mid of April to June.
Alphonso Mango Tree Characteristics
The Alphonso mango tree is an evergreen tree that has lush greenish leaves all year round. The tree bears flowers from early December and fruits start to come from March – June. While planting maintain a distance of 8 meters between plants to get maximum growth of trees, also sufficient Sunlight is required to get maximum yield. Grafted plants are recommended than sowing seeds, as the grafted plants show the complete traits of mother tree.
Taste of Alphonso mango
Alphonso mango is sometimes hailed as the king of mangoes because of its highly sweet, creamy and pulpy texture and it is non-fibrous, unlike many indian varieties.
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Health Benefits of Alphonso Mango
Can Alphonso mango grow in a pot?
Yes, Grafted Alphonso mango saplings can be grown in a pot as a bonsai tree. Because of the pot, the plant will not grow as it is on the ground. Pruning has to be done even if it is in the pot. The container mango tree will grow up to 4 to 8 feet. The container should have drainage holes. Before filling the pot with fertilizers and soil, add broken pottery to make the drainage more effective.
Can Alphonso mango grow in a pot?
Yes, Grafted Alphonso mango saplings can be grown in a pot as a bonsai tree. Because of the pot, the plant will not grow as it is on the ground. Pruning has to be done even if it is in the pot. The container mango tree will grow up to 4 to 8 feet. The container should have drainage holes. Before filling the pot with fertilizers and soil, add broken pottery to make the drainage more effective.
Alphonso Mango Sapling Planting Instruction
Suitable location
- Finding the right place for planting the tree is the first step. Alphonso mango plant requires abundant sunlight, so make sure not to plant the tree under any other trees or shades.
- The issue of waterlogging has to be avoided.
- Make sure the graft part should come above the soil level while planting. This helps us to identify and remove any growth coming from below graft.
Planting instruction
- Dig a hole that is 2 meters in height, width and length.
- Make a mixture with topsoil, 3kg of cow manure, 1kg of bone meal and 2kg of phosphate.
- It is recommended to use grafted plants instead of seeds as the bud will get all the traits of its mother plant.
- Also, Grafted plants helps in early fruiting.
- Prune the unnecessary branches every year as the stem is not thick as other varieties.
- Regular watering has to be done during the first few weeks. Later the intervals can be increased.
Mulching is very important
The mulching process for newly planted plants involves covering the soil around the plants with a layer of organic or inorganic material to provide various benefits such as moisture retention, weed suppression, temperature regulation, and soil improvement.
Fertilisation for Alphonso Mango Plant
The mango plants do not require constant care or watering. The first fertilizing of the soil before planting the tree is the most important factor to check. Make a mixture with topsoil, cow manure, 2kg of bone meal and 2kg of phosphate and fill the hole and plant the tree in this mixture. After one year follow below NPK fertilization.
Remedies Common Diseases and Pests Attacks
Alga causes this disease. The leaves get orange spots. Normally, the disease is harmless. To avoid this issue prune and use pesticides regularly. Use any fungicide to control the diseases.
Dark spots on leaves, flowers and fruit. As a result of this, fruits, leaves and flowers fall from the tree. This is a fungus attack. Normally, trees that are grown in wet regions face this issue. This is a serious disease. The use of fungicides at the right time can help to restrict the disease.
The grey-white powder-like substance appears on fruits, flowers and leaves. Leaves, flower and fruit will fall from the tree before the fruit becomes ripen. Fungicides are very effective as the disease comes from a fungus. This can be seen everywhere where mango trees are growing.
Female flies lay their eggs on semi-ripen mangoes. When the fruit ripens, the eggs break and worms will appear and destroys the fruit. People can harvest before the full ripening of the fruit. Use neem-based pesticides to get effective results.
These bugs suck the juice of tender leaves, flowers and even fruits. They will appear on the leaves and fruits as a white powdery substance. This disease can be seen everywhere where trees are growing. Burn all the branches, leaves and fruits which have the infestation. Spray neem-based pesticides to avoid mealybug.
Visible cracks on stems of mango trees, as a result of a gummy substance, come from the tree. This a common disease that is seen everywhere. Remove the branches which have this disease and apply copper-based protective sprays to get effective results.
Mango Plants Pruning and care
Tree pruning is a horticultural practice that involves selectively removing branches or parts of a tree for the benefit of the tree's health and appearance or to maintain safety.
Pruning should be done carefully and selectively to avoid causing damage to the tree or promoting undesirable growth patterns. It's important to use proper pruning techniques and tools to make clean cuts and minimize the risk of infection or decay.
However, dead, diseased, or hazardous branches should be pruned as soon as they are identified, regardless of the season.