Mangos have been cultivated in India for more than 4,000 years. Beginning in the 16th century, mangos were gradually distributed around the world, reaching the Americas in the 18th century. The first recorded introduction into Florida was Cape Sable in 1833.
Mango trees are adapted to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate areas that typically do not experience freezing temperatures. Therefore, in Florida, mangos are grown commercially in Dade, Lee, and Palm Beach Counties and as door yard trees in warm locations along the southeastern and southwestern coastal areas and along the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee.
Grafted trees will begin to bear fruit three to five years after planting. In Florida, average yields of four to six bushels (220 to 330 lbs) can be expected from mature trees. Greater yields are possible with good management and favorable weather conditions. Fruits of most varieties mature from May to September, with greatest production in June and July. The period of development from flowering to fruit maturity is 100 to 150 days.
Mangos vary in shape (nearly round, oval, ovoid-oblong), size, and color depending upon the variety. Mangos may be greenish, greenish-yellow, yellow, red, orange, or purple and weigh from a few ounces to more than 5 pounds. The skin is smooth and leathery, surrounding the fleshy, pale-yellow to deep-orange edible portion. The fruits possess a single large, flattened, kidney-shaped seed that is enclosed in a woody husk.
Left unpruned many mango varieties become medium to large (30 to 100 ft) trees. Trees are evergreen, with a symmetrical, rounded canopy ranging from low and dense to upright and open. Vigorous mango varieties and mango trees where no pruning is likely to be practiced should be planted 25 to 30 feet or more (7.6 to 9.1 m) away from buildings, power lines, or other trees.
Information from UF/IFAS and for more information on growing mangos visit https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg216.
For mango recipes visit https://www.followfreshfromflorida.com/recipes/?c=all&i=mango.