Media Contact: Paula Fernández de los Muros Tropical Botanic Garden [email protected] 305-667-1651, ext. 3392

For Immediate Release

The : How to Grow, Care For and Enjoy “The King of Fruit”

Coral Gables, FL, July 2, 2004—South has the largest population of mango trees per capita in the United States and the numbers continue to grow. Mango trees are an indispensable part of South Florida’s landscape, giving homes, commercial sites and parks a sense of beauty and tranquility and, of course, delicious fruit to enjoy during the mango’s long fruiting season. As part of the Mango Festival, local experts will be on hand to advise growers on how to get the best fruit from their yard.

There are several things to consider when growing mango trees. Dr. Richard J. Campbell, Senior Curator of Tropical Fruit at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and world expert on suggests, “keep it simple.” This philosophy has proven very successful at Fairchild, which has the world’s largest mango collection. “Mango trees grow well in South Florida, so all you have to do is figure out what mango fruit you want to enjoy, have ground space of about 6 feet, good water and mulch.” These tips round up Campbell’s keep it simple approach.

Mango experts, like Campbell and his father Dr. Carl L. Campbell, Ph.D., also recommend selecting trees that produce fruit that aren’t readily available in supermarkets. “Mango cultivars like or are widely available at most supermarkets. Mangos, like the Nam Doc Mai, , or are higher quality mangos and can be grown easily in your backyard yet can’t always be found in the produce section” adds the senior Campbell.

Nam Doc Mai and Julie mango Cultivars are frequent winners of Fairchild’s International Mango Festival Tasters’ Choice. In addition they are part of the Curator’s Choice Trees, and can be purchased during the International Mango Festival, July 10-11, 2004, at Fairchild.

Here are some more planting tips to consider:

• Location—the mango tree grows to a good size and casts a dense shade, but the roots are not destructive. • Planting—any time of the year is good, provided the weather is warm and the trees are not in active growth. • Soil—Mangos will grow in almost any well-drained soil whether sandy, loam or clay but avoid heavy wet soils. • Planting—Cut the container that the tree is in for easy removal and make the hole two to three times as wide as the container. Make the hole no deeper than the height of the root ball. Gently place the tree straight in the hole and fill around the ball with soil, gently firming it. Water thoroughly while planting to remove any air pockets. Mulch with a 2-3 inch layer of organic material to buffer soil temperature, conserve moisture and reduce weed competition. • Watering—If rainfall is less than 25 mm (1 inch) per week following planting, then the tree should be watered every 3 to 4 days for the first 4 months of initial establishment. *Source: Tropical Mangos: how to grow the world’s most delicious fruit By: Richard J. Campbell, Ph.D., et al.

Tropical Mangos is available at The Shop at Fairchild or visit them online at www.fairchildonline.com. You can learn more about how to grow, care for and maintain mangos at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s International Mango Festival, Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11, 2004.

About the International Mango Festival Fairchild’s International Mango Festival is in its 12th year and continues to be the summer’s must-attend event. It features the world’s largest display of mango cultivars, over 1,200 mango trees for purchase, fun things for the kids, mango cultivar tastings, a marketplace of mango products, educational lectures, mango-inspired cuisine, entertainment and much more. The Mango Festival is taking place Saturday and Sunday July 10 and 11 at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156. For more information, please call 305-667-1651 or visit www.fairchildgarden.org.

About Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is dedicated to exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. It is one of the premier research and education-based gardens in the world and a recognized international leader in conservation. Fairchild has the world’s greatest living collection of palms; an education program reaching more than 12,000 school children per year; hosts popular events like the International Mango and Orchid Festivals, the Ramble, concerts, affiliated plant society shows and sales and more; and, is a not-for-profit organization relying on the support of its 19,000 members and benefactors. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables (Miami), Florida 33156. For more information, please visit www.fairchildgarden.org. ###