Grafted Mango Tree for Your Garden: How and When to Graft

Why graft mango trees?

There are several key benefits to grafting mango trees, also known as mango tree grafting. Grafting allows gardeners to introduce disease resistance. It also improves fruit quality and tree yield. Many popular mango varieties are only propagated through grafting. Mangoes do not always grow true from seed.

Grafting mangoes onto resistant rootstock allows the growth of varieties that may not normally thrive in a certain climate. It helps prevent diseases like anthracnose, which can seriously impact mango production. Grafted trees also tend to produce fruit earlier than non-grafted varieties.

By grafting desirable scions onto established rootstock, gardeners can grow specialty varieties of mangoes like ‘Kent‘ or ‘Francis‘ that may not survive in their area on their own roots.

Overall, grafted mango trees perform much better than seedling-grown trees and ensure a reliable harvest of high-quality mangoes year after year.

Choosing Scions and Rootstock

When selecting scion wood and rootstock for mango grafting, it’s important to choose disease-resistant varieties adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.

Popular rootstock cultivars include ‘Taiwan‘, ‘Keitt‘, and ‘Edward‘. Their disease tolerance, such as to anthracnose and viruses, makes them favored.

Mangoes are generally grafted in late winter or early spring. People do this before the rainy season begins. This allows the grafts time to heal before the rootstock begins rapid growth.

Scion wood should have healthy, flexible branches from the previous season’s non-fruiting growth. Hardened-off wood that is pencil-thick in diameter works best.

Scion Variety	Characteristics
Francis	Great flavor, disease-tolerant
Kent	Prolific bearer, adaptable
Haden	Disease-resistant, early fruiting
Van Dyke	Very aromatic, high-quality fruit
Alphonso	Creamy texture, premium quality
Tommy Atkins	Good for canning and preserving

Matching scions to the proper rootstock helps ensure grafted mango trees have the best chances of survival and performance.

Grafting Techniques

There are a few key techniques used for mango plant grafting, with cleft grafting being the most common method. It involves making a cleft cut into the rootstock stem and inserting a scion wedge into the cleft.

To perform a cleft graft, use a sharp grafting knife. Cut 1/3 to 1/2 of the way through the rootstock stem, but don’t cut all the way through. Then split the stem upward from the base of this cut, leaving a cleft to place the scion wood.

When preparing the scion, cut it so one side forms a smooth wedge shape. This will help it fit into the rootstock cleft. Make sure the dormant buds on the scion are pointing upward once inserted. Secure the graft union using grafting tape or rubber grafting strips. Keep them in close contact while healing.

Side grafting can also work well. It’s a good alternative if cleft-grafting the thick rootstock stem is difficult. This involves making one short, sloping cut with the knife on the rootstock. Then, make another on the scion. Bind them together with the matching cambium layers.

Key tools for successful grafting mango trees include a sharp knife, grafting tape or rubber, pruning shears, and a grafting tool to more easily split the rootstock.

Preparing the Rootstock

For the best results with mango grafting, choose a 1-2 year-old rootstock. It should be young, tender, and vigorous. At this age, the rootstock stem will be narrow and easy to cleave. Cut the rootstock back to 18–24 inches before grafting. This encourages back budding below the graft union.

When making the cleft, aim to split the rootstock stem directly in half, lengthwise. Hold the cleft open wider than the scion wood width.

Some gardeners score partial rings around the stem. They do it above and below the clefts. This helps prevent cracking after grafting.

Rootstock preparation is one of the most important steps. A poor cleft cut can compromise the entire graft. Take your time and practice perfecting straight, smooth cleft cuts.

Make sure the surfaces are shaved. They should not be crinkled or damaged. This encourages rapid healing.

At this stage, trim any side shoots below the grafting point on the rootstock that may sap energy from the new scion. Now the scion wood is ready to be placed within the cleft.

Grafting the Scion

To graft the scion, insert the wedge-shaped end snugly into the cleft of the prepared rootstock. It’s important to get a tight fit without gaps where the cambium layers do not touch. Hold the grafted union firmly in place.

Orient the scion bud so it is pointed upward and will grow vertically once the graft takes place. Check that no bark folds are pinching inward at the graft.

Smooth out the grafting tape or rubber strip over the top. Wrap it around the scion-rootstock junction twice for security.

When applying tape or strips, take care not to cover the scion buds. Buds need to be exposed to the air and light in order to grow once grafting is successful.

Some grafters apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly or grafting wax around the buds for extra protection. They also apply it to the buds themselves.

Stake the newly grafted mango tree for support if needed. Then apply a layer of mulch and keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Proper aftercare helps maximize your chances of a successful union between scion and rootstock for grafted mango trees.

You may like to know about the mango bonsai tree. This Japanese technique of mango cultivation is most satisfying.

Caring for Newly Grafted Mango Tree in Your Garden or Farm

In the first few months after mango grafting, monitor the soil moisture levels and do not allow the ground to completely dry out. Fertilize young, actively growing grafted mango trees monthly. Use a balanced, soluble fertilizer diluted according to the label instructions.

Signs that the graft has “taken” usually appear within 4-6 weeks as leaves begin to emerge from the scion buds. At this stage, you can remove any tape or strips used to secure the graft. Continue nurturing grafts through the first rainy season. Establishing strong roots will help grafts better withstand weather stresses.

It generally takes 1-3 years after successful graft union for a grafted mango tree to produce its first small fruit crop, depending on variety and care.

The tree will require annual pruning, fertilizing, and irrigation to reach full maturity and maximize yields. Proper ongoing care of mature tree grafting results in beautiful, productive trees for many harvest seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Home gardeners can expand their mango varieties through grafting. They need to carefully plan and execute key steps like scion and rootstock selection, grafting technique, and aftercare.

While there is an initial learning curve to master cleft-grafting mango trees or other specialty scions, the benefits make it worthwhile for any fruit tree grower.

Those new to mango grafting benefit from observing an expert perform grafts firsthand. They can also watch video tutorials online. Local nurseries and extension agents can also provide guidance tailored to your region’s growing conditions.

Have realistic expectations, as success rates for novice grafters are around 60–70%. With practice, they quickly improve.

Consider keeping grafting records. This will help you track which varieties thrive best in your microclimate over the long term.

This information helps refine scion and rootstock choices for future mango tree grafting projects. Remember that grafted mango trees are rewarding to care for for many years. They provide seasonal enjoyment from your own homegrown tropical fruit oasis.