Question
QUESTION: Hi - I am germinating mango seeds - want to grow as houseplants.
i see some varieties from mexico [ataulfo] and jamaica are polyembrionic.
A Jamaican seed is growing 3 different seedlings.

If I don't kill the smaller seedling will the plant survive? I would like to keep
them all - maybe separate them [when would be a good time? how?] and give
some away.

I like the 3 plants in the same pot.

for teh winter a couple of compact fluorescent bulbs [26 W 100 W equivalent]
on clamp lights would be sufficient?
thanks
stefano
[brooklyn ny]

ANSWER: Hi Stefano,
Thanx for your question.  Generally, one selects the strongest shoot and cuts off the others for best results.  You can also separate the seedlings very carefully.  Do not tear or injure the cotelydons (seed leaves).  You should separate when the seedlings are large enough to handle.  Polyembrionic seedlings are said to come true so the plants resulting should resemble and produce fruit of the mother plant.  Keep the seedlings under 40 watt shop lights.  In the winter, indoors, place in an east facing window.  I had a plant that I put in and east-facing patio doors for maximum natural light.  I hope this helps.
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Tom thanks for your answer!

should I separate the seedlings when the cotyledons have dried out completely?

you can see what I am talking about on the 2/ 3 photos at the bottom of this page

http://picasaweb.google.com/stefpix/PhalaenopsisMango?feat=directlink

also 40 w shop lights - do you mean fluorescent or incandescent? i have 2 lamps with
26 w CFL bulbs 2700 K and 6500 K...

to keep the mango trees under 5 ft is it ok to keep it pot bound? so far are in 4 " pots
-
Also i just got seedlings from 2 lychee, 1 longan, 1 lemon seeds from fruit I bought
in Chinatown and ate. The Rambutan did not sprout - just molded.
do you know about orchids too?

stefano

Answer
Hi Stefano,
I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you.  I had some trouble looking at the pictures due to some security protocols I had on another computer.  You can separate the seedlings once they have their own sets of true leaves.  The shop lights shuold be flourescent and do not have to be "hot".  I use "cool".  I would keep the mangos in as large a tub as you can manage safely by yourself.  If your seeds are molding, make sure you clean them of flesh and let them dry a few days.  I use a thin layer of milled sphagnum moss which is a natural damping off fungus retardant and safe for the seeds.  I am not an orchid expert.  I believe there are some here at allexperts. Go to Home/Garden, Gardening and then Orchids.  There seems to be one expert.  Again, I apologize for the delay.  I hope this helps.
Tom