So, I developed a simple hobby of trying to grow any seed. And when I say any seed, I really mean it.
Few months ago when I was still in Taiwan, a friend of mine brought me a stolen mangoes. Yes, 4 stolen mangoes smuggled from Taizhong. The mangoes were stolen from neighbor's tree that... errr... let's just say, the tree had tempted my friend to steal them. Especially the mangoes looked so beautiful. I thought, "hey! we should make a mini fruit bonsai!"
So what we need would be:
- mango with seed
- soil
- pot
- small stones or pebbles
- water
- small shovel or spoon
- clean container
- fruit knife
- a good (gardening) scissors
After we ate them, I collected all the seeds. You know, the part that we usually bite and chew as our last resort in eating whole part of the mango. That part, is actually the casing of the mango seed. First, we wash the collected casings and clean the outer surface of the casing, peel the leftover mango fruit-flesh with the knife. Carefully find the the cleft on the side of the casing, and gently tug it open (or dig a hole) with the gardening scissors.
Then peek inside the casing, you will have the seeds. Pull out the seeds, and carefully not to cause any damage on the mango seed. Remove the brown skin from the seed and then soak the seed on clean water, in a clean container. Change the water everyday or earlier if the water had turned brown. I believe the brown color is a kind of sap (now, I forgot what's the scientific name, but it usually excreted by trees to avoid insects or when wounded). As for the casings, dry them under a direct sunlight. It usually dries out in 1-2 days.
After a 1-2 weeks, a bud (or more) will sprout.
The color will then change from white to green. And if the plants were continued soaked, the bud will transform into a shoot and root. If you're lucky, the rootings will be long enough.
And after the rootings are established, it is safe for you to move the seed into a soiled pot. Make sure that the rootings are well sunked and covered with soil and pebbels. Spray with water (into the pot) immediately.
So, after I put the pebbles, I kept the mango bonsai on a well sun-lighted area in my room (direct sunlight is acceptable for the baby). And the plant grew quickly (thanks to the constant watering) everyday.
Now... who said that growing plant is a difficult way? It is easy and simple!
See you next time :D
