PlantFiles Pictures: Mango 'Tommy Atkins' (Mangifera indica), 1 by WalterT

WalterT wrote:
Hi Dobe: I suggest you reread my previous postings. Let me add that you should dry the husk with the seed inside only enough to be able to handle it while trimming off the upper edge of the husk in order to be able to extract the seed. You can also remove the paper thin covering if it is loose and sometimes the slightly thicker covering from the seed. The seed, shaped like a large lima bean, should be pale yellow and with no brown or dark spots on or near the embryo which is at one end of the seed.
Have your jar with the hardware cloth cradle already prepared so you can put the seed into it without delay after removing it from the husk with the embryo on the lower edge and projecting out past the hardware cloth a ways so the root will not grow through a hole in the edge of the cradle. Immediately add enough water to the jar to just reach the bottom edge of the seed and keep adding water as it evaporates in order to keep the edge of the seed wet.
I have tried 8 mango seeds this year, and all the embryos have turned black (or were already black when removed from the husk) and none of them has grown properly if at all. I ascribe this to the hot water treatment through which all mangos pass on entering the US in order to kill any plant diseases they may be carrying. Since the embryo is at one end of the seed it is near the skin of the fruit and therefore was evidently heated enough to destroy it. Maybe we will have better luck next year, but don't count on it.
I have attached an image of a mango seed that looked good altho deformed on the lower edge. The emnbryo soon turned black and no growth took place.
Keep trying..... WalterT

This message was edited Sep 14, 2004 9:41 AM