Mango trees (Mangifera indica) are tropical trees hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10B through 11. These rather large trees may grow to be as tall as 90 feet, and have a crown as wide as 80 feet. A fruit-bearing tree produces sweet, tangy fruits that are red and yellow in color. Mango trees should be given regular feedings throughout the year for optimal fruit production.
For Transplanting Young Trees
Before planting a young mango tree, amend the soil with a treble superphosphate fertilizer. This is a fertilizer with a 0-45-0 NPK ratio. This type of fertilizer will promote root development in the newly planted tree. Young trees should recover from transplant shock before receiving future applications of fertilizer. Transplant shock has many symptoms, which include curling or yellowing leaves, wilting leaves and leaf scorch.
The First Three Years
During the first year in its new location, after the tree has recovered from transplant shock, the tree should receive 1 or 1.5 pounds of 10-20-20 fertilizer. In the second and third year in that location, increase this amount 2 or 3 pounds. These amounts will be divided into three applications throughout the growing season, with the first application taking place just before the start of the growing season, and subsequent amounts applied in two- or three-month intervals.
Fertilizing Mature Trees
A mature tree, more than 3 years old, should receive 1 pound of 10-20-20 fertilizer for each inch in the diameter of the trunk. This fertilizer should be divided into two applications, the first half of which should be applied just before the flowering begins in spring. The second half of the yearly fertilizer should be applied after the mangoes have been harvested for the year.
Use a slow-release fertilizer, spread out evenly over the ground beneath the tree and out to the drip line. After fertilizing, irrigation will activate the fertilizer, allowing some of the nutrients to soak into the ground.