Why Graft?
Lets talk about why it is almost always better to graft instead of planting a Mango tree from seed.
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If you are considering growing a Mango tree from seed there are a few things you should know before trying.
Mango seeds come in two types; mono-embryonic and poly-embryonic.
Mono-embryonic Mango seeds produce a single tree that can take 8-10 years to produce fruit and the fruit is almost always inferior in quality and taste.
Poly-embryonic seeds produce multiple seedlings, improving the chance of growing a fruit similar to the parent (in some rare cases even better; this is how new cultivars are discovered), but the results are not guaranteed and it can take several years to find out if the fruit is good, or not.
The only way to be sure you will get the exact fruit you want is to create a clone by grafting budwood from a parent cultivar onto a reliable rootstock.
Some growers use different varieties of poly-embryonic Mangoes for rootstock, but usually when Turpentines Mango seeds and seedlings are in short supply or hard to find. Non-Turpentine varieties tend to be finicky and less reliable.
Turpentine Mango rootstocks, on the other hand, are the industry standard and a real workhorse, especially in Florida. They are known for being hardy, vigorous and very reliable providing a sturdy root system that will survive harsh conditions including extended periods of drought or flood as well as being pests and disease resistant.
Another added benefit of grafting is the amount of time it saves you. A grafted tree will produce delicious consistent fruit in approximately 1-3 years while trees grown from seed can take upwards of 8-10 years to produce a fruit that is, more often than not, significantly inferior to the parent tree (smaller, flavorless and/or fibrous).
If you want to improve your chances to successfully grow a mango tree that you will enjoy for decades to come, consider grafting onto a Turpentine Mango rootstock. Grafting is easier than most people think and very rewarding.