|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Tropical Fruit Club Newsletter
July 2007
Officers:
President: Ervin Jannsen 407-282-1689, Vice President: Abe White 407-629-1984, Treasurer: Lincoln Lai 407-671-6113
Secretaries: Joann Maynard 352-735-0646, Pete von Lersner 407- 321-6015, Heidi Flinchbaugh 407-859-4855,
Glenda Haskell 407-678-0023, Newsletter & Mailing: Pam Flesher 407-876-1049, Refreshments: Yolanda Curtis 407-679-0915
Program: TFC member and founder, Larry Shatzer, will speak on Growing White Sapote in Central Florida. He and his wife Sherry are the owners of Our Kids Tropicals Nursery in Winter Garden. Larry will be bringing plants for sale.
Welcome New Members
Allison & Dominick D’Anna, Winter Park, FL
Meeting Minutes June 18, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by the club president. Lincoln read the Treasurer’s Report.
Old Business: On August 19th, the Fruit Club can make use of a meeting room at the Gardens all day for no charge. After much discussion the following was decided: The meeting would be from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday 8/19. A motion was approved to have this meeting replace the normally scheduled meeting on Monday, 8/20. The exact agenda would be defined and communicated during the July meeting. Pam distributed information written information requests received from the Central Florida Fair to various club members for responses. New Business: The website domain name has been established. Boi requested support in the established website and generating content. Several potential website contributors were proposed by Clyde ( in abstentia). Boi will follow up with these outside of the meeting. The meeting Speaker, Ryan Atwood, Florida Extension Agent for Citrus in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties was introduced to present the program on Canker and Citrus Greening.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 to allow members to sample from the tasting table and participate in the raffle.
Submitted by Pete von Lersner, Secretary
July 14 & 15 “Mangos of the Caribbean” International Mango Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanicl Garden,
10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33156 • Phone: 305-667-1651 or www.ftbg.org Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Mango Tree Sales, Mango Auction, Mango Work Shop, Mangos of the World Display, Mango Brunch and much more.
Admission: Free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under, $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children 6-17.
August 4 TFC Field Trip to Our Kids Tropicals, 17229 Phil C. Peters Road, Winter Garden. From 8:30 am to 12 noon. Larry Shatzer will be demonstrating air layering on fruit trees and how to make trees flower and fruit quicker. He will be giving a free ginger plant to each member who attends. Refreshments will be served. A map to the nursery will be available at the meeting.
August 19
Tropial Fruit Club meeting. Contact Shirley Silvasy at
silvasy@aol.com or
407-482-0042 or 321-228-4310.
June Tasting Table Donations Thank you to:
Bob Burns: Tropical Jello Frank & Nancy Zeleznik: Mango Salsa
Doyle & Mae Abbott: Lychees Virgil Morar: Blackberry Cheesecake
Heidi Flinchbaugh: Tzatziki & Crackers Pam Flesher: White Sapote
Henry Marshall: Redland, Densler & McDill White Sapote Yolanda Curtis: Grapes
June Raffle Table Donations Thank you to:
Many of you asked at the meeting who made the Mango Salsa? Frank Zeleznik made it and he has shared his recipe with us.
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate for 1
hour. Serve with chips or on grilled fish, chicken, scrambled eggs, etc.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden presents the International Mango Festival “Mangoes of the Caribbean” The Caribbean Sea was shrouded in an eerie calm one hot July morning. Bound for Kingston Town, Jamaica, a privateer vessel labored through the azure waters. The unnatural stillness was broken by the call from the crow's nest, "Ship ahoy! Three o'clock, starboard." Through his glass the captain hungrily eyed the merchant vessel. She was nearly becalmed and sailed with a heavy load. But it was her deck that drew attention. The privateers had ample time to conjecture as to her unique cargo as they slowly closed the distance between them. This was no treasure made by the hand of man.
There they sat, all 11 in a neat row. The mango trees were bound for the wealthy noblemen of the French colonies. Indeed, the merchant vessel was loaded heavy, so heavy in fact, there was no room for the trees below deck. With a nearly buccaneer crew, the privateer made short work of the helpless merchant ship and the hands aboard. Space and free-board were scarce due to the transfer of cargo. Then the black-hearted captain of the privateer made a fateful decision. The 11 mango trees were rescued from the deck of the scuttled vessel, while the remnants of the cursed crew were marooned on a God forsaken spit of land. Black-hearted for sure, but he was a man who dearly loved his mangos.
The 11 trees would eventually make their way back to Kingston Town where they were planted in the infant botanic garden perched among the foothills. Over a century later we credit at least the eleventh tree, duly named 'Number 11', with contributing to the creation of the modern mango industry. At Hope Gardens in modern day Kingston, beneath these now towering trees one can still ponder the time when a crew's life hung in the balance with 11 mango trees, and the mangos won.
Welcome to Mangos of the Caribbean! Come to Fairchild's 15th Annual International Mango Festival. There will be mango trees for sale, mango lectures, the world's largest display of mangos, the world's only mango auction, mango merchandise, botanical art, mango culinary demonstrations, the International Fruit Market, fun activities for kids and much more. It's all about mangos at Fairchild's International Mango Festival, July 14 & 15.
There will be Mango lectures both Saturday and Sunday. Some of the topics include: Mango Grafting, The Mango in the Home Landscape, Pruning Management, Pest Control In Mangos, Major Diseases of Mangos, Condo Mangos, and many more.
Mango Trees For Sale At The Festival Dr. Richard J. Campbell, Senior Curator of Tropical Fruit, has carefully selected mango cultivars well-suited to contemporary conditions. (See list below) These cultivars represent a new generation of mangos with superior horticultural traits. They remain small in stature, yet produce top quality fruit. Trees are approximately 3 ft. in height, growing in a 2 gallon plastic pot. For your convenience, a tree holding area is available on Saturday, July 14. (Sorry, we cannot pre-sell, hold or ship trees.)
Mangos for container growing: ‘Cogshall’, ‘Fairchild’, ‘Julie’, ‘Manilita’, ‘Neelum’, and ‘Rosigold’.
Curator's Choice Selections:
'San Felipe' is an eye-stopping beauty from western Cuba. She has many characteristics of the 'Haden' of Florida, although she is larger at nearly 1 ˝ lb., with a bright yellow background color, an apple-red blush overlaid by a blanket of white dots. The tree is vigorous, yet productive and a consistent producer. The flesh color is a deep yellow to orange and the flavor is rich, sweet and spicy, one of the truly classic mango flavors of the world. 'San Felipe' is perfect for the home gardener in search of the taste of old Cuba, and for bragging rights among his neighbors.
'Madame Francis' is a traditional dessert mango from Haiti. The fruit are saber-like in shape, with an undulating and naturally waxed skin. The size of the fruit is from 1 to 1 ˝ lb., with a bright yellow color at full maturity. The dark orange somewhat fibrous flesh is soft and juicy with a rich, spicy and sweet flavor that speaks of the Caribbean. 'Madame Francis' is one of the few specialty mangos available in the United States for a number of years. The tree is open growing and vigorous, with large, light green leaves and moderate anthracnose tolerance. It is generally one of the first mangos to ripen during the season and often produces multiple crops here in Florida and throughout the tropics.
'Bombay' is a traditional variety from Jamaica. As the name would suggest, it originated from seeds brought to the island by early immigrants from India, and the fruit and tree are similar in shape, taste and habit to the 'Paheri' of India. The fruit range from 12 to 14 oz. and remain a deep green color even when ready to eat. When exposed to the sun they often develop a dull red shoulder. The flesh is a deep orange, melting and juicy with no hint of fiber. The flavor is rich and spicy, reminiscent of the finest of the Indian dessert types. The tree is vigorous, open growing and forms a large, handsome tree. This particular selection was handpicked for consistent fruiting under South Florida conditions. The fruit can be cut around the middle, twisted to separate into two halves and eaten with a spoon.
'Baptiste' was selected in Haiti, where it is grown on a locally commercial scale. The fruit are oval, with a smooth, non-waxy skin, weighing from 8 to 16 oz. They are bright yellow to orange and are exceptionally firm, with surprisingly little fiber. The flesh is a deep orange, with a mild and sweet flavor. 'Baptiste' is popular in Haiti, and can be found in local markets, but it is mostly unknown outside of the island. The tree is ease to manage for size and has characteristically small leaves with a light green color. The tree and fruit are moderately susceptible to anthracnose infection. The firm flesh holds its shape upon cutting, which suits it well for fruit salads and for cooking.
‘Manilita’ is from southern Mexico. The fruit are small and elongated, weighing about 9 oz. The color is an eye-catching pastel red, covering all but the nose of the fruit. The flesh is light yellow and silky smooth, with a pleasing sweet and uncomplicated flavor. It is perfect for eating out of hand, for slicing and dehydrating. The fruit ripen early in the mango season and is among the earliest red mango available in Florida. The tree is dwarf and disease resistant and is perfectly suited for container or patio production. Tree size can be maintained at 7 ft. or less in height and 5 ft. in spread.
'Neelum' is a popular South Indian dessert mango. The fruit weigh 9 to 12 oz., with the general shape of a fat cashew nut. They are smooth-skinned and bright yellow upon ripening and have no blush. The flesh is deep yellow or orange. There is no fiber and it has a rich, aromatic flavor perhaps a bit strong for the unaccustomed palate. 'Neelum' is best eaten out-of-hand or used as slices or cubes in mixed fruit salads, as the firm flesh holds its shape. 'Neelum' is a dwarf tree perfect for the home gardener, with a late fruiting season and excellent storage characteristics. Fruit should be harvested when mature green and ripened at room temperature off the tree.
'Nam Doc Mai' is among the best dessert mangos of Thailand, with an exceptional appearance and eating quality. The fruit are long, slender and sigmoid, weighing from 12 to 16 oz. The ripe fruit range from a greenish- to canary-yellow, rarely with a reddish blush on the sun-exposed shoulder. The flesh is soft and juicy, with a sweet and aromatic flavor. 'Nam Doc Mai' has no fiber. In Thailand and throughout much of Asia, it encompasses what is most desired in terms of versatility and quality. It is used while mature green for dipping in sauces and for making sweet preserves and pickles. When ripe, they have a smooth, silky texture and extreme sweetness and bouquet. It has found a home in the Caribbean, where it grows and fruits well.
'Rosigold' is a South Florida selection with a hint of the Asian tropics. It is the answer to those who cannot wait for the mango season to arrive-the fruit often ripen from middle to late March. The cylindrical fruit weigh about 11 oz. and are bright yellow with crimson highlights on the sun-exposed shoulders. The thick, tender skin adheres to the soft, juicy deep-orange flesh. The silky, fiberless flesh is rich, aromatic and sweet. The tree is small, manageable and highly productive. It can be kept at 8 ft. in height and spread. Blooming often occurs in successive waves throughout the winter, resulting in a multiple harvests. In most years, the fruit should be thinned to improve size and quality.
'Lancetilla' comes from the north coast of Honduras. The fruit are quite large, ranging from 2 to 5 lb., with a bright red overall color and radiant, crimson shoulders. The thick skin is tolerant of rough handling and is easily separated from the firm, juicy lemon-yellow fiber free flesh. The flavor is aromatic and intensely sweet. The fruit ripen from mid-August through September, the end of the mango season in South Florida. With branch tipping and selective pruning, 'Lancetilla' can be formed into a small, productive 10 ft. tree. 'Lancetilla,' with its excellent disease tolerance, is the perfect late season mango, offering beauty, compact size and flavor.
'Cogshall' selected on Pine Island, Florida, in the 1940s, is recognized for its small tree size, heavy production, eating quality and beauty. The fruit, averaging about a pound, have eye-catching yellowish-orange skin, overlaid with a brilliant crimson blush. The soft, completely fiber-free flesh is aromatic, with a rich, spicy flavor that is sure to please. Both fruit and tree have good disease tolerance. The fruit ripen like jewels, a few each day, over an extended season from mid-June through July. The 'Cogshall' tree remains compact; with minimal pruning. It can be maintained at a height and spread of six feet or less while producing 30 to 50 lb. of fruit.
'Fairchild' was selected by Dr. David Fairchild and his family in the early 1900s, in the Panama Canal Zone. The small, oblong fruit average 10 oz. and have lemon yellow skin at maturity in June and July. The juicy, fiber free flesh is deep orange and aromatic, with a rich, spicy flavor. 'Fairchild' always ranks among the top cultivars in public evaluations at Fairchild's annual International Mango Festival. The tree and fruit are highly tolerant of disease and fruit well under humid conditions, making it a natural for South Florida. The tree is among the most ornamental of mangos, with its compact shape and deep green color. It can be maintained at a height and spread of 8 ft. or less, perfect for those with a modest-sized home garden.
'Graham' a descendent of 'Julie', was selected in Trinidad and Tobago. The oval fruit average 13 to 16 oz. They ripen from mid-July to August, when the skin becomes bright yellow with a slight pink blush. The thick, tough skin conceals a fiber-free, deep orange, soft, juicy flesh. It is aromatic and has a sweet, rich flavor. During late summer, a finer-flavored mango cannot be found. 'Graham' grows well in the moist, humid conditions of South Florida. The tree is naturally compact, and with annual pruning can be maintained at a height and spread of 8 ft., perfect for the space-limited homeowner.
'Julie' is synonymous with the Caribbean. Selected in Jamaica, the fruit have a flattened oval shape and are small, generally weighing from 6 to 10 oz. The fruit are greenish to mustard yellow, with a pink blush when exposed to the sun. The deep orange, fiber-free flesh is soft and extremely juicy, with a rich and spicy flavor. The fruit are not stunning specimens, but they certainly have an extraordinary flavor. The fruiting season is from May to July, but unpredictable, with multiple crops throughout the summer. The tree is dwarf and should be grown in combination with other varieties to assure production.
'Mallika' is among the best of the new generation of Indian dessert mangos. The tree is semi-dwarf, making it attractive to mango growers, who are always looking for new niche markets around the world. The bright yellow fruit are a flattened oblong shape, with a rounded base and weigh from10 to 18 oz. When properly ripened, the completely fiber-free flesh is a deep orange, with an intensely sweet, rich flavor and hints of citrus. Fruit should be harvested mature-green and stored at a temperature of not less than 70°F for two to three weeks for proper ripening. In this manner, their ultimate eating quality will be achieved. The fruit can be refrigerated after complete ripening. 'Mallika' excels in juices and as dehydrated slices, with a distinctive honey flavor.
For more information about the Mango Festival contact Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd.,
Coral Gables, FL 33156 Phone: 305-667-1651 or www.ftbg.org See you at the Festival!
Sad News For The Tropical Fruit World The Tropical Fruit Club of Central Florida extends their deepest sympathy to the Whitman Family. William Francis (Bill) Whitman, Jr., famed horticulturist and member of a pioneering Miami Beach family, died in his Bal Harbour home on May 30, 2007. He was 92 years old. Born June 30, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois to father, William F. Whitman and mother, Leona E. Whitman, Bill was a life long resident of the greater Miami Beaches from 1914 until his passing. He attended the Ida M. Fisher High School (now Miami Beach High School) and graduated from the University of Florida in 1939 with a degree in Business Administration. Bill was employed in the family owned Whitman by- the-Sea Hotel in 1940 and served in the Coast Guard during WWII. He was then engaged in the film industry, developing and patenting a submersible camera and producing several motion pictures, including the Academy Award winning The Sea Around Us. Bill introduced spear-fishing to the east coast and, still surfing into his 80’s, was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame in 1998. Bill devoted his entire life to the introduction and propagation of tropical fruit trees, serving as a founder and president of the Rare Fruit Council from 1955-1960. He introduced more than 80 different varieties of new tropical fruits to the United States, authoring over 80 publications on tropical fruit culture, 22 of which were published in the Proceedings of the Florida State Horticulture Society. In addition, he recently published a full length book entitled Five Decades with Tropical Fruits: A Personal Journey, a compilation of many of his publications, the proceeds of which were donated to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where he served as a Trustee from 1988 to 1990. A member of the prestigious Explorers Club, the University of Florida recognized his many contributions and awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Public Service. To demonstrate his lifelong commitment to tropical fruits, Bill made a generous contribution to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden where the Whitman Pavilion was erected in his honor. A general partner in the world renowned Bal Harbour Shops, his passions included steam locomotives, surfing, fishing, and above all his wife, Angela, his children Christopher, Pamela, and Eric, and numerous grandchildren, and his brothers, Stanley F. Whitman and Dudley A.Whitman. A private memorial service will be held for the family and a subsequent public memorial will be held at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in the fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries. Published in The Miami Herald on 6/1/2007
Tropical Fruit Club
P. O. Box 37