Average temperance during winter should be preferably be above 5 °C. For optimum growth, and production, the average maximum temperature should be between 27 and 36 °C. Mangoes will grow in areas with an average annual rainfall of less than 300 mm, provided other climatic conditions are favourable.
Mangoes can be grown in areas subjected to wind, provided that there is some form of protection against the wind and the most tolerant to wind cultivars are grown.
In the tropical and subtropical regions, mangoes grow well at altitudes from sea-level to 1 200 m.
The ideal soil texture for mango cultivation under irrigation is a sandy loam or loam, but soils with a clay content of up to 50 % are also suitable.
Only poly-embryonic seeds are used as rootstocks. Seedlings derived from such seed will be true to type and uniform in growth and production habits. Mono-embryonic seeds are not suitable as stem burst often results from such rootstocks. Currently mainly Peach and Sabre seeds are used for rootstocks.
The most important commercially grown cultivars in South Africa are Tommy Atkins, Kent and Keitt. The South African season starts in late November and ends during middle April.
The site for a nursery should at least be 50m away from commercial plantings. The site must be preferably situated on an incline close to the watershed line so that no run-off water from commercial orchards can flow into the nursery. All equipment used in the nursery should only be used in the nursery and periodically cleaned with a disinfectant e.g. 10% Jik Solution.
Dam, canal and river water must be purified and treated. Filtration and/or water treatments can be used to achieve this. Borehole water should preferably be used.
Containers of at least 140 x 80 x 400 (about 5.55 litre) are recommended for mango nurseries. A soil with a high clay content prevents drainage and restricts roots respiration and growth. Irrespective of which medium is used, the pH should be determined for a fertilizer recommendation. The fertilizer should preferably be a slow release type. Optimum pH (H2O) is 6.5 – 7
The seed from which the rootstock is cultivated must be from fresh, physiologically ripe fruit. Seed must preferably be obtained from approved sources with a good horticultural background and no signs of bacterial blackspot and mango malformation. Seeds must be planted as fresh and as soon as possible after the endocarp is removed. Seeds must be planted when seed are available (Dec – Jan), the earlier one plants, the longer the growing season resulting in stronger seedlings. After the seed has germinated, the seedlings are thinned out once the leaves have hardened off (approximately 6 – 8 weeks).
Your calculation between height and length should be 15 times as long as they are high.
Artificial windbreaks include all windbreak that are erected manually using artificial material such as shade cloth.
They are instant, requires low maintenance and more easily installed into an existing planting. The life of the mesh can vary, but most probably last up to 10 years. However, as artificial windbreaks are normally not as high as living trees, they need to be closer together in order to achieve the same result.
When managed correctly, a natural windbreak can be very efficient at wind reduction. The loss of land can be minimised with correct planning to between 3 and 8%.
Natural windbreaks do not present the perfect solution however, as there is evidence which suggest root competition, shading, competition for water and nutrients and loss of orchards space are all antagonistic factors.
Windbreak Trees Species most popular to use in South Africa: