Position – Keitt mango trees thrive in full sun, where they get at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The morning sun is great for drying the tree off of any dew. Leave 6 to 8 metres around each tree to allow it to grow and spread.
Size – Depending on the conditions, this tree will usually reach between 3 and 5 metres in height, with a spread of 2 to 4 metres. For smaller areas, you can prune it down so that it doesn’t become too large.
Soil Type – This resilient tree grows well in various soil types as long as they are well-draining. It is only when the soil is too dense and becomes waterlogged that this tree suffers. An alkalinity of between 5.5 and 7.5 is best.
Mulch – Organic mulch like shredded leaves, grass cuttings or compost prevents weeds from taking over the area around and below your Keitt mango tree and retains moisture in the soil. Keep the mulch 20 to 30 centimetres away from the tree trunk.
Watering – This fruit tree requires a moderate amount of watering. Soak the soil well to allow the water to reach right down to the deep tap roots. Then, allow it to dry completely (2.5 to 5 centimetres of the soil should be completely dry before watering it again). Stop watering the tree completely 2 months before flowering begins, then start again when the first mango fruits arrive.
Fertilising – A general-purpose fertiliser should be applied three times a year for the best results. Beware of over-fertilising your mango tree, as it will likely not produce many or any mangoes and flowers with too much fertiliser.
Pruning – This tree doesn’t necessarily have to be pruned, but removing dead and diseased limbs and keeping the canopy more open than cluttered is wise. Try to limit the tree to 3 main branches.
Harvesting – These are late-harvest mangoes, so they should be picked in the height of summer. One of the easiest ways to tell if it’s ready to be picked is to smell the stem. If it smells gorgeously fruity, it is ready.
