Mango Nam Doc Mai Gold
Mangifera indica 'Nam Doc Mai'
Common Names: Nam Doc Mai, Nam Doc Mai Gold, Golden Nam Doc Mai
Local Name: น้ำดอกไม้ (Thai), Nam Doc Mai (English transliteration)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin: Thailand
Plant Type: Perennial evergreen tree
Variety: Nam Doc Mai Gold — elongated, golden, fiberless Thai dessert mango
Average Lifespan: 40–100+ years
🌿 Botanical Description
| Growth Habit | Medium-sized, upright to spreading tree with dense, dome-shaped canopy |
| Plant Size | 8–12 meters tall; canopy spread 6–10 meters |
| Leaves | Simple, alternate, lanceolate, 15–25 cm long; new flush coppery-red maturing to dark glossy green |
| Flowers | Small, pinkish-white in large terminal panicles (20–35 cm long) |
| Flower Characteristics | Both male and bisexual flowers on same panicle; mildly sweet fragrance |
| Fruit | Elongated, slender, sigmoid-shaped, 200–400 g; thin skin with silky, fiberless, sweet pulp |
| Fruit Color | Green turning bright golden-yellow when ripe; no blush |
| Seed Characteristics | Thin, flat monoembryonic seed; small relative to fruit size |
| Root System | Deep taproot with extensive lateral root network |
☀ Growing Conditions
| Climate | Tropical to warm subtropical; requires distinct dry season for flowering |
| Temperature Range | 24–35°C ideal; tolerates up to 42°C; frost-sensitive below 2°C |
| Rainfall Requirement | 750–2000 mm annually; dry spell of 2–3 months triggers flowering |
| Soil Type | Deep, well-drained loamy or alluvial soil; tolerates laterite |
| Soil pH Preference | 5.5–7.5 |
| Sun Requirement | Full sun (8+ hours daily) |
| Spacing | 7–9 meters between trees |
| Irrigation Method | Drip or basin irrigation; withhold water during pre-flowering dry period |
| Water Requirement | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Can it Grow in Pots? | Yes, excellent container variety in 50+ liter pots; naturally compact |
🌾 Cultivation & Care
| Fertilizer Schedule | 3 times per year — pre-flowering (Oct), post-fruit set (Feb), post-harvest (Jul) |
| Recommended Organic Fertilizers | FYM (20–40 kg/tree/year), neem cake, bone meal, vermicompost, fish emulsion |
| Pesticide Frequency | 2–3 sprays during flowering and fruiting season |
| Recommended Organic Pesticides | Neem oil, panchagavya, garlic-chili spray, sticky traps for fruit flies |
| Mulching Practice | Organic mulch (rice straw, coconut husk) around base; keep 15 cm from trunk |
| Training System | Open center or modified central leader; tip-prune for compact form |
| Pruning Time | After harvest (July–September) |
| How to Prune | Remove dead, diseased, and inward-growing branches; tip-prune to encourage lateral branching |
| Common Pests | Mango hopper, fruit fly, stem borer, mealybug, thrips |
| Common Diseases | Anthracnose, powdery mildew, bacterial black spot, stem-end rot |
| Disease Prevention & Remedies | Copper-based fungicides at flowering, proper spacing, remove fallen debris, bagging fruits |
🌸 Flowering & Fruiting
| Flowering Months | November–January (tropical); may vary by region |
| Fruiting Season | March–June |
| Days to Harvest | 90–120 days from flowering |
| Harvest Indicators | Skin turns golden-yellow, fruit softens slightly, sweet aroma develops at stem end |
| Average Yield per Plant | 80–150 fruits per tree (mature); consistent bearer |
| Pollination Type | Cross-pollination by insects (flies, bees, wasps) |
| Pollination Notes | Only 1–3% of flowers set fruit; warm dry weather during flowering improves set |
🌱 Pollination & Propagation
| Pollination Details | Primarily insect-pollinated; houseflies and blowflies are major pollinators in Thailand |
| Propagation by Seeds | Monoembryonic; seedlings do not come true-to-type; used for rootstock only |
| Propagation by Cuttings | Air layering (marcotting) possible but not preferred commercially |
| Propagation by Grafting | Veneer grafting or cleft grafting on vigorous polyembryonic rootstock (preferred method) |
💧 Environmental Impact & Sustainability
| Water Usage | Low to moderate once established; deep roots access subsoil moisture |
| Soil Conservation Practices | Deep root system prevents erosion; leaf litter enriches topsoil |
| Organic Practices Used | Fruit bagging, panchagavya, jeevamrutha, mulching with rice straw |
| Companion Plants | Leguminous cover crops, lemongrass, turmeric (as intercrops when young) |
| Biodiversity Benefits | Provides habitat for birds and insects; canopy offers shade for understory plants |
💰 Economic Importance
| Commercial Production Regions | Thailand (Chachoengsao, Ratchaburi), Florida (USA), Australia, India |
| Market Uses | Premium export table fruit, fresh-cut mango, dessert mango with sticky rice |
| Processing Uses | Dried mango, mango puree, frozen mango slices, mango juice |
| Market Value (Approx.) | ₹200–500 per kg (premium export variety); $3–8 USD per fruit in Western markets |
🌿 Cultural Significance
| Symbolism | Nam Doc Mai means "water of flowers" in Thai; considered the king of Thai mangoes |
| Traditional Uses | Served with sticky rice (Khao Niao Mamuang) — Thailand's iconic dessert; gifted during Songkran festival |
🍈 Nutritional Information
| Calories | 60 kcal per 100g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g per 100g |
| Vitamin C | 36 mg per 100g |
| Vitamin A | 1082 IU per 100g |
| Iron | 0.16 mg per 100g |
| Potassium | 168 mg per 100g |
| Antioxidants | Rich in beta-carotene, mangiferin, quercetin |
| Other Key Nutrients | Folate, vitamin B6, copper, vitamin E |
🌿 Medicinal Uses
| Anxiety & Sleep | Not a primary use for mango |
| Immune Support | High vitamin C and A content boosts immunity |
| Anti-inflammatory Properties | Mangiferin compound shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects |
| Heart Health | Fiber and potassium support cardiovascular health |
| Digestive Health | Enzymes like amylase aid digestion; fiber promotes gut health |
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice.
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