Few people do not like mango, or perhaps it is better to say, mangoes, because there are many varieties, more than 600. In South Florida only about 210 are grown, which is why it is considered a subregion of the succulent fruit.
Those who do not have it on their menu complain that one gets muddy when eating it, that it has a lot of sugar, a lot of iodine, a lot of fiber … To the “amateurs” of the handle, on the other hand, all these qualities seem virtues. The Manguifera indica, one of the oldest fruits, whose seeds have been found in dinosaur skeletons, was introduced to the colonies of America by the British fleet, in the seventeenth century. Over time, many varieties have emerged, either due to climate and terrain effects, or due to the experiments of agronomists. In the Cuba of my childhood mango classes abounded; among the most popular were the Filipinos, and the mango called “lady”, possibly a Haden that by the richness of the soil grew more than usual.
The “biscuits” were so called because of their amount of juice, sweet as syrup. There were also “sleeves”, white and yellow, which were round handles and that because they were abundant in “hilachas” were not eaten, but were sucked through a hole in the tip.
Many of these varieties can be tasted during the International Mango Festival held this year on July 12 and 13 at the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden (FTBG). We were able to talk with Dr. Noris Ledesma, curator of fruits of this institution and one of the key figures of the event.
“This year we celebrate Jamaican Mangoes. The color of the Caribbean, and its people will be with us,” says Ledesma, who for more than 15 years has traveled the world collecting mango varieties and works with local producers and numerous countries to make them more resistant to diseases and pests.
“Our plant collection has more than 650 varieties of mango, including 30 wild ones from Malaysia and Indonesia,” he adds. Ledesma has high expectations regarding mango in Florida. “I’ve seen new plantations. Our people want quality mangoes and are not happy with imported ones. We are working, but there is much to be done. I think we should focus the industry towards producing mangoes that people miss from their countries. Biscuit for Cubans, Julie for the Caribbean community, and also mangoes for Indians and other Asian countries,” he says enthusiastically.
Unfortunately, Miami markets often sell mangoes from other countries, while local ones may end up in another state. To really enjoy this fruit you should plant it in your yard or garden or explore some roads and neighborhoods between May and July in search of the promising sign: “Mangoes for sale”.
Mango is one of the best trees in this climatic zone. As we have a climate similar to that of India, with long droughts and long months of rain, this fruit tree adapts easily. Once established it is quite resistant to hurricane winds and its branches do not break easily.
The cultivation of mango does not require much science either, it is enough with a good organic fertilizer during the autumn, adequate irrigation, if it does not rain, and an intelligent pruning every 2 or 3 years, because if it grows too much it is a problem to harvest the fruit and those that fall end up made compote.
“Plant a small tree, as its roots will be able to make their way more easily in our rocky soils,” advises Ledesma. “The mango doesn’t need a lot of water, just the first two months. Then do not water too much, because it can rot the roots. Fertilizer 0-0-50 is the most advisable. Do not fertilize in winter and prune frequently to keep it of a convenient size and for the air to circulate, which will avoid pests without using chemicals, “he summarizes.
If you want to know more about this tempting fruit that also has healing properties, go to the Fairchild during the Festival, which attracts thousands of mango fans every year. There are lectures, tasting, culinary demonstrations, auction, sale of fruits and mango trees.
Among the many activities there are also kiosks with ethnic food, live music, children’s activities and sale of other plants.
Source: https://www.elnuevoherald.com/vivir-mejor/estilo/article26002903.html#storylink=cpy
