Description
Keitt mangoes are large, late-season fruits that originate in Florida, USA. Because they are on the tree for longer, the sun has longer to sweeten the creamy flesh, making them particularly delicious.
Unlike most mango species, Keitts don’t have fibrous pieces in their flesh and remain green when ripe. This creamy, sweet fruit is excellent for desserts, salads, smoothies and preserves.
All mangoes are an excellent source of vitamins A, B1, B2 and B3. They also contain ascorbic acid, iron, calcium, phosphorous and tryptophan.
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
Use from 2 to 5 centimetres of pine bark mulch to protect the roots from UV damage and drying out. It retains moisture, and maintains an optimal pH. Do not let the mulch touch the plant stem, as it may cause infection or rot.
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.
A rapid-release fertiliser with nitrogen can be given to your trees just before they flower. This will encourage the fruit and flowers to flourish. Just be careful not to over-fertilise .
Use our slow-release nitrogen-rich Berry/All-plant Fertiliser. For young trees, apply 1 teaspoon every 4-5 months
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.
Pest and Disease Control:
Mango trees common pests such as mango fruit fly and mango scale. Use appropriate insecticides or organic pest control methods as needed. Diseases such as anthracnose and powdery mildew can affect mango trees; ensure good air circulation, proper irrigation practices, and fungicide treatments if necessary.
We recommend Effective Microorganisms to prevent the spread of these pests and diseases. It is organic and more affordable than most other products.
Our Neem Oil Pesticide is also and excellent pest control
