Van Dyke (mango)
Encyclopedia
The Van Dyke mango is a named commercial mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.
. For decades the parentage of 'Van Dyke' was unknown, though a 2005 pedigree analysis estimated that Haden
was the likely parent. The tree began fruiting in the 1940s and was found to have enough potential to be propagated during the 1950s, and by 1955 the Flagg Brothers Nursery had sold several hundred trees. That same year Van Dyke was submitted to the Florida Mango Forum for evaluation.
Van Dyke was recognized for its superior color and eating quality, and limited commercial plantings began in the 1960s and increased over the following two decades. Its commercial potential was considered limited in Florida due to the fruit's relatively small size and susceptibility to internal breakdown, but Van Dyke was later introduced to Brazil
and eastern Africa and found commercial success being exported to Europe
.
Today Van Dyke is still sold as a nurserystock tree for home growing in Florida, and is grown on a small commercial scale. Van Dyke trees are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida
, and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park
, also in Homestead.
Van Dyke trees are vigorous growers with open, spreading canopies.
History
The original tree grew from a seed likely planted in the 1930s on the property of Mrs. Madeline Van Dyke in Miami, FloridaMiami, 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 decades the parentage of 'Van Dyke' was unknown, though a 2005 pedigree analysis estimated that Haden
Haden (mango)
The Haden' mango is a named mango cultivar that became one of the most widely cultivated in the world after it was introduced in the early 20th century through south Florida. It would ultimately become the parent of many other mango cultivars later developed in Florida.- History :In 1902, Captain...
was the likely parent. The tree began fruiting in the 1940s and was found to have enough potential to be propagated during the 1950s, and by 1955 the Flagg Brothers Nursery had sold several hundred trees. That same year Van Dyke was submitted to the Florida Mango Forum for evaluation.
Van Dyke was recognized for its superior color and eating quality, and limited commercial plantings began in the 1960s and increased over the following two decades. Its commercial potential was considered limited in Florida due to the fruit's relatively small size and susceptibility to internal breakdown, but Van Dyke was later introduced to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and eastern Africa and found commercial success being exported to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Today Van Dyke is still sold as a nurserystock tree for home growing in Florida, and is grown on a small commercial scale. Van Dyke trees are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida
Homestead, Florida
Homestead is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States nestled between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. Homestead is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area....
, and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park
Fruit and Spice Park
The Fruit and Spice Park is a botanical garden in metropolitan Miami at 24801 SW 187 Avenue, located in the rural agricultural community of the Redland, Florida, United States.-Exhibits:...
, also in Homestead.
Description
The fruit is of oval shape with a rounded base and a bluntly pointed apex. Most fruit will also contain a small lateral beak. They average under a pound at maturity, with smooth yellow skin color and bright red blush. The flesh is yellow with minimal fiber, and has a rich and sweet flavor and aroma. It contains a monoembryonic seed. The fruit typically ripen from June to July in Florida, and production is considered to be good. Van Dyke is moderately fungus resistant.Van Dyke trees are vigorous growers with open, spreading canopies.