Why Would You Graft a Mango Tree?

Who doesn’t love plucking fresh, ripe mangoes straight from the tree come harvest? Oh, you don’t have a mango tree? Well, you could grow one from a seed right now, but it will take close to a decade before the first harvest. But you can cut ‘production’ time by 3 to 5 years with the help of grafting.

So, what is grafting, and why would you even graft a mango tree? This article with address these questions and more. Continue reading if you’re thinking about growing a miniature mango orchard in your backyard!

What Is Grafting?

The grafting process begins with taking an above-ground section of one plant—i.e., the scion—and attaching it to the root system or rootstock of another plant.

Easy, right? Well, there’s more to it than that. When grafting, the vascular tissues of the scion and rootstock need to be aligned. This allows the grafted scion to receive water and nutrients from the rootstock.

Types of Grafting

As far as grafting goes, there’s more than one technique to choose from. Allow me to break the various grafting methods for you below:

1. Cleft Graft: This is a popular grafting method when working with branches measuring 1 to 4 centimeters wide. The rootstock receives a V-shaped cut. Then, the scion, with a sharpened end, gets wedged into the cut in the rootstock.
2. Whip and Tongue Graft: This method is a bit more complicated, but it works well when the scions and rootstocks are similar in thickness. Both the rootstock and the scion receive diagonal cuts. Then, a small notch is carved out of each cut surface. Finally, the pieces are interlocked.
3. Side Graft: Opposite to the previous method, side grafting works with thinner stems of about pencil thickness. The rootstock receives a vertical cut in the shape of a capital T. The scion gets sharpened to create a thin wedge. The scion’s wedge and rootstock’s cut are interlocked to create a new growing point on the existing stem.
4. Bark Graft: This method focuses primarily on the rootstock. It starts by lifting a rectangular portion of bark on the rootstock to reveal the green layer hidden underneath. The scion, with a slanted cut at its base, is tucked underneath the flap of the rootstock’s bark.
5. Bud Graft or Chip Budding: This method is ideal for beginners or when working with thin rootstocks. Here, you don’t need an entire branch; just a single dormant bud from the desired donor plant. The rootstock receives a T-shaped incision on the bark, into which the bud is inserted to make contact with the green layer underneath.

Why Graft Mango Trees?

Why would anyone with minimal expertise even think about grafting mango trees? Well, when you understand the benefits of grafting, you may feel enticed to give it a try.

1. Pick Your Perfect Plant

Growing a mango tree from a seed may be a rewarding journey, but on the other hand, you may be left with shock and disappointment when all is said and done. With grafting, you eliminate the guesswork of flowering and fruiting quality since you can use a scion from a trusted source—i.e., a tree with a proven track record.

2. Combine Champion Traits

‘Good enough’ is not always good enough. Grafting lets you strategically combine the strengths of a strong rootstock and the scion of tree with history. You can use disease-resistant rootstock and graft a scion known for exceptional fruiting. It’s like combining the best of both worlds into one plant!

3. Faster Results

Mango trees can take a 5 to 8 years before they begin bearing fruit, but with grafting, you can speed things up by quite a lot. The mature root system of a strong rootstock can allow the scion to grow more quickly and begin bearing fruit sooner. We’re still talking about 3 to 5 years, but it’s something!

4. Space Savers

In this day and age, it’s all about making the most of your space, and your garden is no exception. Grafting can make the most of your garden space by receiving scions from different types of plants. It’s like playing Dr. Frankenstein with Mother Nature, but when the results are a fruit salad from a single plant, who’s complaining?

5. Revitalize Old Friends

Some of you may have mango trees that seem to be on their last legs. If you’ve become attached to an aged tree and want to give it life, grafting is the answer! The main issue here is whether or not the old ‘donor’ tree has any healthy scions left. If so, then you can bring it back to life with the help of grafting.

Risks of DIY Grafting

So far, we’re learned about what grafting is and what sort of benefits mango trees receive from this ancient practice. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; this practice comes with its fair share of challenges, namely:

1.Technical Considerations

• Precise Cuts: There’s not enough time to cover the intricacies of cutting scions and rootstocks. It takes a keen eye and a steady hand to get the cuts right, and when years are at stake, precision cuts are a necessity. One wrong flick of the wrist and you run the risk of damaging plant tissues, which can lead to the death of the scion or even the entire tree.
• Alignment Issues: Assuming you’ve perfected the art of precision cuts, there’s no guarantee that you’ve aligned the scion and the rootstock correctly. Misaligning the cambium layers (green, moisture tissue beneath the rootstock’s bark) can hinder vascular connection. When this happens, nutrients and water may not flow into the graft, ultimately leading to wasted time.

2. Disease and Pathogen Transmission

• Non-sterile Tools: Gardening is dirty work, which is why it’s essential to keep your tools clean when possible. And when it comes to grafting, near-OR-level cleanliness is almost a necessity. Harmful bacteria or fungal spores on your cutting tool can spread to the rootstock or graft, which can infect the plant and cause it to die.
• Scion Selection: Unless you’ve a significant amount of time in field, you may have trouble distinguishing a healthy scion from one that’s disease-ridden. A seemingly healthy scion may be harboring pathogens that can infect the rootstock.

3. Incompatibility Issues

• Rootstock Selection: It’s true you can graft multiple types of fruits onto a healthy rootstock, but this isn’t always the case. The least of your worries are a complete rejection of the scion. Worst-case-scenario, the scion won’t grow as effectively and have problems bearing fruit. Imagine waiting years for the scion to grow, only to harvest a barely anything or nothing at all.
• Graft Rejection: So, you’ve chosen compatible scions and rootstocks. However, there’s still no guarantee the rootstock won’t reject the scion. Rejection comes in many forms, with common symptoms including wilting, discoloration, or death of the graft. Several factors come into play regarding the success rate of grafting, such as rootstock vigor, scion health, and environmental conditions.

4. Time Commitment

Graft failure isn’t immediately noticeable. It can take years for it to manifest in physical form, which is years you won’t get back. What you can do is attempt to graft multiple rootstocks simultaneously. That way, there may be a sliver of a chance of a successful graft.

Benefits of Growing Prepared Grafts

While I have full faith that you will eventually nail grafting, there’s no harm in choosing a trusted horticulturist to do the deed for you. Here’s what you can expect by growing grafted mango trees:

1. Guaranteed Compatibility

• Expert Selection: Professional horticulturists with years of experience can spot a strong rootstock and healthy scion from a mile away. Eliminate the guesswork and allow trained professionals to take over. They can choose the best grafting possibilities to produce the most reliable results when your mango tree eventually bears fruit.
• Proven Combinations: Reputable nurseries may specialize in specific mango varieties. A pre-grafted tree from such a nursery has a higher success rate than any DIY attempt by a greenhorn.

2. Superior Technique and Disease Prevention

• Precise Cuts and Alignment: Beside the quality of the rootstock or scion affecting the success rate of a graft, the way they’re cut also plays a significant role. Experiences horticulturists have the expertise and tools to graft mango trees or any fruit tree for that matter.
• Hygienic Practices: A professional horticulturist doesn’t just have the right tools—they keep their workspaces as hygienic as possible. They fully understand the risk of spreading pathogens when using infected cutting tools. Secure your investment with a healthy mango tree graft from the get-go!

4. Expert Selection and Diverse Options

• Tailored Choices: Do you know a guy that knows a guy who sells different mango seed varieties? Probably not, but a trusted horticulturist has your back! You won’t just end up with any random mango—you can request the perfect mango for your taste buds! Want the slight tartness of an Alphonso? Pre-grafted trees give you the freedom to choose based on flavor, disease resistance, and even ripening times.
• Expertise: Different mango species thrive in different climates, which is why you need to consult with the experts before planting a mango tree. A professional horticulturist can provide the details you need for choosing the right mango species, wherever you are in Australia.

5. Reduced Risk and Lower Investment

• Minimize Failed Attempts: Perfecting the grafting process, especially as a beginner, is nearly impossible. Instead, you can outsource the hard work and eliminate the guesswork by choosing the right nursery. Remember: it may take years for a graft to show signs of failure.
• Focus on Care: As a mango lover, you probably only want to focus on caring for your mango tree and reaping the juiciest fruits of your labor. Skip the headache of mixing and matching, trial and error, and choose a pre-grafted mango tree. The convenience is definitely worth it.

FAQs

1. How long does it take for a grafted mango tree to bear fruit?

The time it takes for a grafted mango tree to bear fruit depends on several factors. For starters, how old is the rootstock? Older rootstocks may have a greater chance at success, thus helping the scion develop and bear fruit sooner.

In general, grafts take between 3 to 5 years before they begin fruiting. That may seem like a long time, but compared to the 6- to 8-year period it takes for mango seeds to grow, you’re nearly halving the waiting period between planting and sinking your teeth into a fresh mango!

2. Is grafting mango trees difficult?

Do you have experience grafting trees, mangoes or otherwise? If not, then grafting mango trees can be a challenge. Again, several factors come into play, and the way you cut the scion and rootstock will significantly impact how successful the graft is.

In addition to technical expertise, there are also external factors that affect the success rate. These include weather conditions, wind damage, and soil quality. Try consulting an expert horticulturist to see whether grafting mango trees is the right choice.

3. What time of year is best for grafting mango trees?

Climate typically plays a significant role in when to graft mango trees. That said, the best time for grafting is when the tree is actively growing, which can promote better healing.  In parts of Australia that enjoy warm weather, active growth usually takes place from January to March.

4. How can I care for my newly grafted mango tree?

Here’s how to care for a newly grafted or pre-grafted mango tree:

1. Water wisely: When the graft is young and not bearing fruit, you typically only need to moisten the soil surrounding the tree’s trunk. You can also try deep watering to soak the root zone and waiting for the soil to dry before watering again.
2. Protect your graft: The union between the rootstock and scion is delicate, so keep it out of direct sunlight for the first 2 to 3 weeks. A shade cloth can come in handy to act as a temporary barrier while the ‘wound’ is still fresh.
3. Monitor for success: Keep a close eye on the union for signs of growth. These include new leaves sprouting from the scion and a lack of sap on around the union.
4. Remove unwanted growth: You should constantly check the grafted mango tree for pests. These pests steal energy from the tree, which can stunt the scion’s development.
5. Fertilize for health: Once it’s clear the scion is healthy and growing, you can begin fertilizing your mango tree. When it begins flowering, that’s a sign it’s time to ramp up the fertilizer.