Saigon (mango)
Encyclopedia
'Saigon' is a seedling race of mango cultivars originally introduced to the United States via seed from Southeast Asia
.
in 1902 and planted at the USDA's plant introduction station in Miami, Florida
for observation. Edward Simmonds, the station's director, found the fruit to be of good quality
'Saigon' trees mostly came true from seed, though there were some variation. This meant that multiple types of 'Saigon' came into existence, and thus the name covers several varieties.
Because of the positive qualities of the fruit, 'Saigon' was utilized in Edward Simmonds hybridization experiment, which resulted in a cross between a 'Saigon' type and the Indian 'Amini' cultivar. The resulting cross was named 'Samini'.
'Saigon' was also a parent of other mangoes in Florida as well, perhaps most notably the 'Florigon
', whose name is a cross between the words 'Florida' and 'Saigon'.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
.
History
'Saigon' seeds were shipped to the United States from Saigon, CochinchinaCochinchina
Cochinchina is a region encompassing the southern third of Vietnam whose principal city is Saigon. It was a French colony from 1862 to 1954. The later state of South Vietnam was created in 1954 by combining Cochinchina with southern Annam. In Vietnamese, the region is called Nam Bộ...
in 1902 and planted at the USDA's plant introduction station in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
for observation. Edward Simmonds, the station's director, found the fruit to be of good quality
'Saigon' trees mostly came true from seed, though there were some variation. This meant that multiple types of 'Saigon' came into existence, and thus the name covers several varieties.
Because of the positive qualities of the fruit, 'Saigon' was utilized in Edward Simmonds hybridization experiment, which resulted in a cross between a 'Saigon' type and the Indian 'Amini' cultivar. The resulting cross was named 'Samini'.
'Saigon' was also a parent of other mangoes in Florida as well, perhaps most notably the 'Florigon
Florigon (mango)
The Florigon' mango is a named commercial mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.-History:The original tree grew from a seed planted in 1932 on the property of John G. Kaiser of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kaiser was known for growing hybrid mangos, and later became the police chief as well...
', whose name is a cross between the words 'Florida' and 'Saigon'.