Mango 'Tommy Atkins' (Mangifera indica)

Mango
Mangifera indica 'Tommy Atkins'

M. indica Tommy Atkins w/seed cradle.

The seed cradle is used to support the seed after it has been extracted from the husk. It is placed in the mouth of a jar with enough water in it to cover the bottom of the seed. If the seed is vital, the root shd begin to grow in a few days followed by the sprout. When the root reaches the bottom of the jar transplant to a very deep pot. Do not remove the seed as it will continue to provide nourishment to the plant for some time. Maintain at about 75 degrees F. for best results. WalterT.

Walter, FYI - I created a separate entry for this image, since you indicated it was 'Tommy Atkins' rather than the species. The hyperlink above has been updated to point to the new entry ;o)

After eating these two juicy, sweet mangos I cleaned off the husks. A couple of days later they were dry enough to handle. If you let them dry completely the husk will be very hard and difficult to open. Use a sharp knife and proceed carefully to trim off the edge of the rounded side. When you see into the inside of the husk along most of the length, very carefully pry it open and remove the seed. Now you will see why this is advisable. If the seed is discolored, brown or black, it will probably not sprout as the fruit was off the tree too long. Much of the flesh may still be edible, however. Keep trying different mangos and eventually you will get some clean, viable seeds. When I have a couple, I will put them here for viewing and illustrate the next step in the process. WTH 7-23-'04.

This message was edited Tuesday, Jul 27th 6:41 PM

I wld like to add that the two seeds in the image above are perfect examples of seeds beginning to spoil and wld therefore not be good candidates for growing. It is now August and near to the end of the season for mangos from Mexico so the chances of my finding healthy, viable seeds are slim. Mangos from South America, in my experience, are picked so green and have been off the tree for so long by the time they reach San Diego, that they are not very good eating and rarely contain viable seeds. WalterT

Hi Walter,
all the fruit we buy is organic, I may have asked you this before if they are still sprayed when they are inspected ? I hope not, right now I have 4 seeds which have sprouted and new leaves on them...2 from Mexico, and 2 from Hawaii...
[ no idea which cultivars only numbers]

Sorry, Walter. We can't manipulate images once they've been submitted to the site. It's up to the user to rotate, crop, etc. before they submit. I can remove a post and you can resubmit, if you'd like.

New image of reddish brown new leaves on young mango tree as of 1 Nov. 2004.



This message was edited Nov 1, 2004 11:36 AM

New leaves appear here and there on larger mango trees, not all over the tree at the same time. The color of new leaves is as depicted, a startling reddish brown, which gradually turns to green as the leaves mature. I was surprised to see this new growth so late in the summer. Nighttime temperatures are now down to the low 50s at dawn.

I love mangoes and have some good ones brought up from
Florida by summer residents here. But all those in the stores here are pretty pitiful in flavor....

gorgeous pic Walter, the leaves look good enough to eat...my replacement mango ''Julie'' arrived ..the tree is not large possibly 3½ ft tall, looks good tho, the write up for this in the mango book was very good..possibly a new strain of Julie ?..
''The orange flesh is juicy and completely without fibre, with a deep, rich, and spicy flavour. [ The Great Mango book, by Allen Susser]...so we will see..
marion

Hi Marion: Where are you going to plant your Julie Mango tree?
If your property is sloping and facing south you are in luck. If you can plant it near the highest point, where cold air will not collect during winter nights, it should make it. Years ago I knew a mango grower who lived in San Diego not far inland who had property sloping down into a canyon. All his trees on the lower part of the slope got frostbitten every winter and those higher up were unscathed. Talk about micro-climates. WaltterT

Hi Walter, too true, we have some higher ground in ourback yard where we had the other mango tree...however this time will move it a little further towards the rocks [ we have those very large boulders..] which will be facing south.. you have given me more food for thought....
Living in the foothills frost does collect down here...will definately have to find a warmer place to plant...where our white Sapote is there is a lot of heat and a higher point...I need to mail you....regards,marion