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Plant Clinic

Many mango varieties to choose from

 

By Adrian Hunsberger

dade@ifas.ufl.edu

Q. What mango varieties would you recommend if you could only plant two or three?

J.L., Miami

When deciding on a variety to plant, choose ones that are resistant to anthracnose, a fungal disease that affects the appearance of the fruit, and reduces fruit yield if the flowers and small fruit are infected.

Such mangoes to try that have good flavor are Cambodiana, Cogshall, Cushman, Dot, Edward, Florigon, Glenn, Graham, Keitt, Nam Doc Mai, Saigon, Valencia Pride and Van Dyke. But there are many other varieties to choose from as well.

You can taste test mangoes from your neighbors or attend one of the many fruit festivals that are held in South Florida throughout the summer to find out which ones you like best. Buy your trees from a fruit tree nursery and ask for varieties that will best suit your needs.

There’s a fact sheet on mangoes at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG216 or call your local Extension office for a copy. And there is a list of tropical fruit nurseries in Southeast Florida on this UF Miami-Dade Extension web page: http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/Pubs_LnG2.shtml

Adrian Hunsberger is an entomologist/horticulturist with the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension office. Write to Plant Clinic, 18710 SW 288th St., Homestead, FL 33030; e-mail dade@ifas.ufl.edu.

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