Lexi Webster
Mango trees can be grown in many parts of Australia, especially in Western Australia, where the climate is suitable for the fruit's growth. They are also grown in home gardens and coastal areas as far south as Margaret River. The main commercial growing areas are Wanneroo, West Gingin, Gingin, and Dandaragan. Mango trees can grow in a wide range of soils, from light sands to heavy clays, and they are adapted to wet summers and dry winters and springs. They grow well along the tropical north and subtropical east coasts of Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cultivars available in Australia | Kensington Pride (KP), R2E2, Edward, Nam Doc Mai |
| Commercial growing areas | Wanneroo, West Gingin, Gingin, Dandaragan, Carnarvon |
| Suitable soil type | Deep, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam |
| Climate requirements | Low rainfall, low humidity, warm to hot temperatures during fruiting |
| Frost protection | Required for young trees and saplings |
| Growth rate | About half a metre a year, reaching up to 35m high and 15m across |
| Fruit bearing time | Around 5-10 years |
| Fruit characteristics | Green, yellow or red with a large seed and aromatic orange flesh |
| Pruning | Required to maintain size |
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What You'll Learn
Mango trees in Western Australia
Mangoes are grown commercially in Western Australia, from Kununurra in the north to Gingin in the south. They can be grown even further south, but mostly for home consumption. The main commercial growing areas are Wanneroo, West Gingin, Gingin, and Dandaragan. Mangoes are also grown in home gardens and coastal areas as far south as Margaret River.
The mango is a densely foliaged evergreen tree, with some varieties growing to 20 metres tall and living for 400 years or more. Once established, it serves as a useful windbreak, shade tree, and ornamental with attractive perfumed flowers. Mango trees might take a few years to start producing fruit, but when they do, the taste of your home-grown mangoes will be worth the wait.
The Kensington Pride (also known as the Bowen mango) is the most common and best-tasting mango in Australia. It is popular for its sweet, tangy flavour and strong mango aroma. The Kensington mango boasts golden yellow skin and soft, juicy flesh. Other popular varieties in Australia include Kent, Palmer, Honey Gold, and Calypso. The Kent mango has mostly dark green skin that may have a reddish-pink blush when ripe, contrasting with the deep yellow-to-orange flesh inside. Palmer mangoes are known for their deep purple or red skin and a delightful balance of tart and sweet flavour within their fibreless, juicy flesh. Honey Gold and Calypso mangoes are favoured for their sugary, robust flavours.
The best time for planting mango seeds is in summer, as this will enable good growth before winter. It is best to obtain seeds from trees with good yields and quality. Mango plants will grow well with a slow-release, well-balanced fertiliser. They can be kept in pots until they are more than 1 metre high. Mango trees in cooler areas of Western Australia, such as Perth, need to be protected from frost, especially when young. Early or mid-season mango varieties are the most suitable for these areas.
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Soil and climate conditions
Mango trees grow best in tropical, subtropical, or warm temperate climates. They are susceptible to frost, with young trees being killed by temperatures below 0.5°C and older trees suffering some damage. In areas prone to frost, it is critical to select planting sites wisely, such as a north-facing slope, and provide adequate frost protection. Mango trees also require protection from strong winds, and windbreaks can be used to shield them. They thrive in full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Mango trees are adaptable and can grow in various soil types, from light sands to heavy clays. However, they prefer deep, well-drained, and slightly acidic soils that are rich in organic matter. In Western Australia, they grow well in areas with neutral to alkaline soils, while in the Northern Territory and Queensland, they are predominantly grown on acidic soils. Soil moisture is essential, and mango trees benefit from moist soil, especially during the establishment phase. Applying mulch can help retain soil moisture, and regular watering is necessary, with mature trees requiring about 11,000kL of water per hectare per year.
Fertilisers play a crucial role in mango tree growth. A well-balanced fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, and trace elements is recommended. Mango trees only need moderate amounts of fertiliser, and excessive nitrogen can lead to poor fruit quality. Compost and organic matter, such as manure, can also be incorporated into the soil to enhance its quality.
The climate during flowering, fruit setting, and harvest is crucial for mango trees. They prefer low rainfall and low relative humidity during these stages, with warm to hot temperatures aiding fruit development. Mango trees are self-pollinating, but their flowers rely on pollinators like bees and flies for fruit production. High temperatures combined with low humidity can cause sun-damaged fruit and fruit drop. Mango trees can withstand temperatures up to 48°C without severe damage to established, irrigated trees.
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Cultivating mango trees from seeds
Mango trees are large, productive, and evergreen, reaching around 10 metres tall. They can be grown from seeds, although they can take up to 8 years to produce fruit. For a faster harvest, grow mangoes from potted plants, which should begin fruiting about 3 years after planting.
When selecting a seed, it is important to choose a polyembryonic variety, such as Kensington Pride or Bowen mangoes. These seeds contain multiple embryos that will grow into trees with the same characteristics as the parent tree. Collect the seed from a fully ripe mango and remove the flesh and outer husk to reveal the smooth seed inside.
To plant the seed, fill a pot with a specialised potting mix, such as Yates Seed & Cutting Mix or Scotts Osmocote® Citrus & Fruit Potting Mix. Insert the seed with the concave or wider end pointing upwards and exposed above the mix. Keep the mix moist and place the pot in a warm spot. The seed will take about 2-3 weeks to germinate.
Once the seedlings have a strong root system and foliage growth, they can be transplanted to a garden bed or a larger pot. Choose a warm spot with well-drained soil that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball and enrich the soil with fertilisers. Position the tree in the hole and backfill, staking the young tree to protect it from strong winds.
Mango trees prefer warm, frost-free climates and full sun exposure. They can be pruned regularly to maintain a smaller size. With proper care, your mango tree will eventually produce fruit, typically during summer. Mangoes are self-pollinating, but encouraging pollinators like bees into your garden can help with fruit production.
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Frost protection for young trees
Mango trees grow best in frost-free, temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates. Young mango trees can be killed by slight frosts, so it is important to protect them from frost damage, especially during their first two winters. Here are some ways to protect young mango trees from frost:
Planting Location
Choose a planting location with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily and well-drained, moist soil. Less frost damage can be expected if the young trees are planted on high north-facing slopes.
Frost Protection Structures
You can create a simple structure to protect your young mango tree from frost. Put four tall stakes into the ground around your tree and tie some hessian fabric to the stakes above the tree to form a roof that will keep the frost off the leaves. This structure can be left in place for the entire winter. Alternatively, you can use a 50% density shade cloth above and around the plants to moderate temperatures and protect against frost.
Irrigation
Sprinkle young trees with water when the temperature falls below 3°C to minimise frost damage. Watering the trees during expected frost days can help protect them from frost damage.
Timing of Planting
The best time to plant mango trees is during spring and early autumn when conditions are mild, allowing the young trees to establish themselves more easily. For areas with cold winters, it is recommended to keep the young plants in a sheltered position in a nursery for the first two winters to protect them from frost.
Variety Selection
Choose mango tree varieties that are more tolerant of cooler conditions. For example, the R2E2 variety is known to produce fruit well in colder climates.
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Commercial mango-growing areas
Mango trees are well-suited to many parts of Western Australia, where the climate is ideal for the fruit to flourish. The trees thrive in deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and they are tolerant of dry conditions, waterlogging, and moderate salinity. Mangoes are commercially cultivated in Western Australia, with the main growing areas in Wanneroo, West Gingin, Gingin, and Dandaragan. The fruit produced in the Perth area is the latest in the season and fetches high prices within Western Australia and interstate.
Mangoes are also commercially grown in northern Western Australia, where the soil is mostly neutral to alkaline. The light levee soils of the Ord River Irrigation Area are particularly conducive to mango cultivation, allowing trees to grow more vigorously compared to heavier clay soils. The absence of giant termites, a challenging pest to control, makes the heavy Cununurra clays in Kununurra a suitable environment for new mango plantings.
In the Northern Territory and Queensland, commercial mango cultivation also takes place, predominantly on acidic soils. The fruit is well-adapted to the tropical north and subtropical east coasts of Australia, where the climate and soil conditions are favourable for its growth.
While mango trees are typically associated with tropical climates, some cultivars, such as R2E2, are suitable for growing in colder climates. In southern Victoria, for example, growers in East Gippsland have successfully cultivated mangoes, although protection from frost is essential for young trees.
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Frequently asked questions
Mango trees grow in many parts of Western Australia, along the tropical north and subtropical east coasts of Australia, and as far south as Sydney.
Mango trees prefer a tropical environment with a period of drought, low rainfall, and low humidity at flowering, fruit set, and harvest. They also prefer warm to hot temperatures during fruit development.
Mango trees grow best in deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They can tolerate dry conditions, waterlogging, and moderate salinity.
It can take up to five or even ten years for a mango tree to bear fruit when planting or growing from seed.
