Indian Mango Tree

Indian Mango Tree is the illusion of generating a mango tree from a seed within few minutes. The mango seed is placed in an empty pot under a tripod formed by three sticks then covered with a sheet. The pot is removed and water is poured in and the pot is replaced. Spectators are allowed to look under the cloth from time to time. After a while the performer opens out the cloth to remove the plant showing that it has grown. Finally the magician removes the cloth to show a full-grown mango tree with fruit.

History

A method for accomplishing the trick was described in Mahatma in 1895, as "communicated to us by a retired magician who had the opportunity to see the trick performed in a Chinese Theatre in the West Indies."

Several years later, in 1899, Mahatma also reprinted, "An Interview With Mr. Charles Bertram" from Strand titled "Are Indian Jugglers Humbug?," which described and explained methods for the Indian Mango Tree, in addition to the Indian Basket and Indian Rope Trick.

In 1907, "two interesting (if crude) methods of performing the mango trick as presented by the native Indian conjurers" were described in Stanyon's Magic, and credited to Vinayak Chintaman Ghapure, "of Poona City."

The trick was also described in The Old and the New Magic by Henry Ridgely Evans in 1906.

References

• http://www.mazmaindia.com/the-indian-mango.php
• The rise of the Indian rope trick by Peter Lamont