1. Planting Your Mango Tree

• Climate: Thrives in tropical/subtropical zones (USDA 9-11)
• Sunlight: Needs 6-8 hours of direct sun daily
• Soil: Well-draining sandy loam (pH 5.5-7.5)
• Planting: Dig hole 2x root ball size, mix in compost
• Spacing: 25-30 feet between trees

2. Watering Requirements

• Young trees: Water 2-3 times weekly (keep soil moist)
• Mature trees: Deep water weekly in dry seasons
• Reduce water during flowering to encourage fruiting
• Avoid waterlogging – causes root rot

3. Fertilizing Schedule

• Year 1-2: Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 2-3 months
• Mature trees: Low-N, high-K fertilizer before flowering
• Organic options: Compost, aged manure, bone meal annually

4. Pruning Techniques

• Initial prune: Cut main stem to 3ft to encourage branching
• Annual pruning: After harvest, remove dead/diseased branches
• Shape: Maintain open canopy for sunlight penetration
• Height control: Keep below 15ft for easier harvesting

5. Pest & Disease Management

• Fruit flies: Use pheromone traps or neem oil
• Mango hoppers: Spray with imidacloprid
• Anthracnose: Copper-based fungicides
• Prevention: Clean fallen debris, avoid wet foliage

6. Flowering & Fruiting Care

• Blooms appear: Winter to early spring
• Fruit development: 3-5 months after flowering
• Thinning: Remove 30% of young fruit for larger harvest
• Harvest: When fruit develops color and slight softness
• First fruiting typically occurs in 3-6 years

7. Seasonal Care Calendar

• Spring: Fertilize, watch for pests, begin watering
• Summer: Regular watering, fruit monitoring
• Fall: Harvest, post-harvest pruning
• Winter: Reduce water, frost protection in cool areas

8. Troubleshooting Common Problems