The Kalam mango (Mangifera indica ‘Kalam’) is a tropical fruit tree that can grow to be up to 25′ tall at maturity. The tree produces small, dark yellow fruit that has a unique and wonderful flavor. Kalam mango trees can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 10b through 11, where the average minimum temperature is 35°F to 40°F.
1) You can plant or transplant the tree in the soil any time of the year.
2) Avoid growing mangoes in heavy soils. Plant the tree in a light, sandy soil with ample drainage.
3) Add compost or well-rotted manure to help nourish the soil at planting time.
4) A self-fertile cultivar is not necessary, but it will make pollination easier. If you plant more than one variety, it is best to plant two varieties that bloom at the same time for proper pollination.
5) When you are planting a new tree, cut it back so that it has only two branches and a height of about 3 feet. This will encourage growth from the trunk and keep your tree from becoming top heavy.
6) Water your new tree regularly until the roots become established. Once well rooted, water during dry periods to ensure fruit development and prevent cracking of fruit.
If you are looking for some tips to grow a Kalam Mango Tree, look no further. We have compiled a list of tips for watering, fertilizing, pruning, and fruiting. Follow these tips for a beautiful tree. Here are some basic steps to follow:
Watering
Watering your Kalam mango tree is an important part of preserving the quality of its fruits. The plant needs many nutrients, most of which are in trace amounts. Nitrogen is essential for the survival of the plant, while Potassium is required to boost flower and fruit growth. Phosphorus is important for root growth and calcium is crucial for seed set. Some other trace nutrients are magnesium, zinc, iron and molybdenum. To determine your tree’s nutritional needs, consider getting soil tests.
Watering your Kalam mango tree is best done during the growing season, when it flowers. It will benefit from a deep watering once or twice a week during the summer months. However, watering your Kalam mango tree during the winter will be a waste of time, since the tree doesn’t grow well in constantly wet conditions. To check whether your Kalam mango tree needs watering, try digging into the soil. It should be dry enough by the time you water again.
A mango tree needs a deep watering to ensure the taproot gets soaked up. Once a tree is about three feet tall, it must be transplanted to its permanent location before the second batch of leaves appear. To ensure a healthy growth, it is important to prune the tree regularly to remove weak or diseased plant material. Aim to prune the tree every four to five years so that it develops a strong scaffold of branches.
Fertilizing
The best time to fertilize a Kalam mango tree is during its growth and fruiting period. The plant uses up most of its reserves during fruit development and maturation. Fertilizing the Kalam mango tree during these times will supply it with the reserves it needs for the next phase of growth, vegetative growth. A fertiliser application of one cup of nitrogen per tree every three months will suffice. If the tree is a new one, add two cups of fertilizer at the time of planting.
If you are using a granular fertilizer, you must first mix it in the soil before applying. Organic fertilizers are often more effective because they contain micronutrients that help your tree grow. You can use Down to Earth organic fertilizer mix to promote healthy foliage and new growth. It contains a slightly higher nitrogen ratio than commercial fertilizers. The benefits of using a granular fertilizer are that it breaks down slowly over a longer period of time.
You can apply organic fertilizers by digging into the soil. For the best results, apply the fertilizer every two to three months and follow the instructions carefully. Organic fertilizers can be used on both new and established Kalam mango trees. The amount of fertilizer you should apply depends on the size and age of your tree. As the Kalam mango tree grows, its nutrition needs will change. Therefore, it’s important to follow the instructions on the bag.
Pruning
Pruning a Kalam mango tree is a process of reducing the size of the tree. While it does not require vigorous pruning every year, it is important to know when to prune the tree. The best time to prune a mango tree is when it is young, before the branches are more than a few inches apart. Cutting above this “ring of buds” creates a weak point and promotes uneven spacing between newly-grown shoots.
The main aim of mango tree pruning is to give the tree a good shape so that it can grow into a beautiful and productive orchard. The main shoot should be pruned back to 0.6 to 0.7 metres below the “ring of buds” – the concentrated spiral of leaves on the main stem. After pruning, leave three to four horizontal branches – these will act as the scaffolding. However, if you prune too heavily, you will not see fruit for two to three years.
Pruning a Kalam mango tree is a process that involves cutting off hanging branches or vertical shoots. This will create a wider tree with more space within its canopy. Make sure to remove side branches from nearby trees. These side branches extend perpendicularly to the main structural limbs and can result in diseases. Pruning a Kalam mango tree is a necessary part of mango tree maintenance and will ensure that it will produce fruit for years to come.
Fruiting
The fruiting Kalam mango tree produces a high-quality, sweet, and juicy mango. While most mango trees are not suited for growing in areas where summer temperatures exceed 80 degrees, this tropical fruit does well in zones nine to eleven. For the best yield, plant the mango tree in the spring and provide it with ample sunlight. The first season of the fruiting Kalam mango tree is a good time to fertilize the tree with citrus fertilizer, which is generally an 8-3-9-2 mix.
To plant a fruiting Kalam mango tree, prepare the soil by mixing equal parts of water and fertilizer. Depending on your soil type, the soil may be moist or dry. Prepare the soil with compost and water thoroughly. Then, spread out the seeds evenly over the soil. After a few days, the seedlings will grow very quickly. After three or four months of growth, the seedlings will be ready to be transplanted into the nursery.
The fruiting Kalam mango is edible at all stages of its development. Raw fruit is used for desserts, chutney, pickles, and juice, while ripe fruits are used in syrups, jams, and juices. The kernel of the fruit contains 8-10% fat and is also used as soap, or substitute for cola in confectionery. A mature tree produces large, yellow, orange, or red mangoes.
Rootstock
The cleft grafting technique was found to be the most effective method for propagating the mango tree. In a trial conducted at Siggatoka Research Station, Fiji, Iqbal observed that the cleft union process was rapid, resulting in grafts with the highest growth rates. The graft union process also enhanced translocation of food materials and improved rootstock growth. However, this method has limitations.
When grafting a tree, it is best to wait for mild weather. Seedlings with small buds should be delayed for two to six months. The best scion material comes from the tips of mature shoots with prominent buds. Tip wood can be prepared seven to ten days before the grafting procedure. Leave the petioles on the scion so that they fall off once the plant is mature. A scion should be approximately 6-8cm long and closely resemble the rootstock.
Grafting mango trees can be carried out using seedlings of Kensington or Common mango. Both varieties produce vigorous seedlings. To graft mango trees, a vigour-enhancing potting mix is necessary. The plant’s health will depend on the vigour of the grafted rootstock. In general, well-drained soil and proper insect and disease control will ensure the health of the tree.
Problems with cleft grafting
While modified cleft grafting is one of the most effective methods for grafting mango trees, it has its own disadvantages. For example, rainwater can enter the graft union during heavy rains and kill it. Also, different diameters of the rootstocks and scions make grafting difficult. Cleft grafting can yield very high initial success, but a large percentage of grafts will die within two to three months.
A good cleft graft can be successful if you carefully prepare the rootstock and scion. A suitable rootstock is one that is about 20 to 30 cm tall and has a straight, pencil-thick, green bark. It is ideal to use a scion that is at least six inches long and has three buds. Once it is in place, it is time to plant the grafted branches.
Before starting a cleft graft, ensure that the temperature is above 64 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant will not grow well in temperatures lower than that, and you may end up losing the fruit. Alternatively, if you use the cleft graft technique, you need to wait several months until the first bud sprouts out. If you’re having trouble with the graft process, start small with a few branches of a Kalam mango tree. Young seedlings are best planted in large holes containing lots of compost and manure.
A cleft graft uses two scions, one at each end. Ensure that both scions have three or four good buds. Always use a sharp knife when grafting. Start at the base of the lowest bud on both the scion and the rootstock. Once the scion is placed in the cleft, it should be secured tightly.
In conclusion,
The Kalaming mango tree is a medium-sized, mostly seedless mango that is suitable to be grown in pots. It produces a sweet, juicy fruit that has a slight citrus flavor. The fruit ripens in five to seven months and is ideal for eating raw or freezing and using later.