-
As a natural rooting hormone for mango cuttings: Bananas contain natural auxins, which are plant hormones that promote root growth.
- How it’s used: You would take a mango cutting (a branch), make a fresh cut, and then either dip the cut end directly into a ripe banana (or a paste made from banana) or wrap banana slices around the cut area before planting it in a suitable rooting medium. This is often combined with other techniques like air layering.
- Effectiveness: While bananas can provide some beneficial compounds, they are not as potent or consistent as commercially produced rooting hormones. However, for home gardeners looking for a natural alternative, it’s a popular method.
-
In air layering: Air layering is a propagation technique where you encourage a branch to form roots while it’s still attached to the parent plant. Bananas are sometimes incorporated into the air layering process.
- How it’s used: A small cut is made on a mango branch, and then a damp material (like sphagnum moss or tissue paper) wrapped with banana slices or paste is applied to the cut area. This is then covered with plastic wrap to maintain humidity. The banana is believed to contribute to the rooting process.
- Benefits: Air layering often has a higher success rate for mangoes than simply planting cuttings, and the addition of banana can be seen as an extra boost for root development.
Important Considerations:
- Grafting mango onto banana: It’s not possible to graft a mango tree onto a banana tree. These are two entirely different plant families (mangoes are Anacardiaceae, bananas are Musaceae) and are incompatible for grafting. Grafting involves joining two plants of closely related species to grow as one, which is not feasible between mango and banana.
- Success rates: Propagating mangoes from cuttings, even with rooting aids, can be challenging. Air layering generally offers better success. Environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and the health of the parent plant also play a crucial role.
- Best practices: Regardless of whether you use banana, successful mango propagation from cuttings or air layering also requires:
- Healthy, mature branches for cuttings/air layering.
- Proper sterilization of tools to prevent disease.
- Well-draining rooting medium.
- Maintaining adequate humidity and warmth.
- Patience, as rooting can take several weeks or even months.
