Mangos are propagated either vegetatively or by seed. Seedlings are grown sometimes to produce new cultivars but mainly for use as rootstocks or to reproduce known polyembryonic mode for reproduction: contains more than one embryo; produces true-to-type progeny cultivars. Mono-embryonic mode of reproduction: contains only one embryo types, however, require vegetative propagation to retain all of the desired characteristics. It is also known that trees grafted on selected rootstocks remain smaller than the rootstock plants propagated for further grafting/budding, and bear better and earlier.
The selection of suitable rootstock is as important as the selection of the scion the plant part grafted onto the stock cultivar variety, type. It has a strong influence on the growth, yield, fruit maturity stage of final fruit development (ripeness) and soil adaptability, among other things. In Kenya, the uniform seeds of the polyembryonic cultivars Sabre, Peach and Dodo are routinely used successfully. Seeds must be taken from ripe fruits and should be as fresh as possible at the time of planting. Before planting, the hard woody endocarp should be removed to examine the seed for disease or any damage caused by the mango weevil (Sternochetus). Freshly sown seeds should be protected from high temperatures and dessication by providing shade. Once seedlings emerge the shade is removed to harden the plants and produce a sturdy stem for grafting joining parts of plants together such that they will unite and continue their growth as one plant.
NOTE: To view the steps involved in grafting, click the forward arrow on the interactive flipbook below.
Once the seeds have germinated, the seedlings are carefully lifted and culled. This may be about one month after planting when they have reached the 3-5-red-leaf-stage. After transplanting the seedlings into containers not smaller than 18 x 35 cm they remain there until they are of pencil thickness at about 20 cm above soil level. There are many techniques used to graft mango seedlings, but the most common methods are side-graft, side veneer and wedge- and whip-graft. A mango tree must never be transplanted while it is flushing or when the leaves are still tender; the best time to transplant is after the second flush has hardened.
The top-working converting a grown tree by grafting of fruit trees is a normal orchard practice and is necessary to replace old cultivars/seedlings with improved selections which are developed from time to time. Top-worked trees will start bearing within 2–3 years, i.e. much earlier than a newly planted tree. Furthermore, the survival of newly planted trees is not always guaranteed (drought, fire, animals, etc.).