The Orange Sherbet Mango tree is a highly sought-after fruit tree, distinctive for its unique flavor profile that combines traditional mango sweetness with vibrant citrus notes. Its appealing taste and manageable size make it a popular choice for home growers.
Understanding the Orange Sherbet Mango Tree
The Orange Sherbet Mango tree is a relatively new variety, originating from Gary Zill’s breeding program in Florida as a seedling of the ‘Lemon Meringue’ mango. It is a medium-sized tree, typically reaching 10 to 15 feet when grown in a garden, though it can grow taller under ideal conditions. This tree exhibits a moderately vigorous, upright growth habit, forming a compact and dense canopy.
The fruit is medium-sized, generally weighing 6 to 10 ounces, with an oval to oblong shape. Its flesh is vibrantly orange, smooth, and fiberless, offering a rich, creamy texture. The flavor is a complex blend of sweet mango with hints of orange zest, peach, and other tropical fruits, often described as tasting like orange sherbet or a creamsicle.
Planting and Site Selection
When planting an Orange Sherbet Mango tree, select a location that offers protection from strong winds. Dig a hole two to four times wider than the tree’s root ball and no deeper than the root ball itself. Plant the tree at the same depth it was in its nursery container, and water thoroughly after backfilling with soil. For container planting, select a pot with good drainage and use a lightweight, nutritive potting mix.
Essential Care for Your Orange Sherbet Mango Tree
Light Requirements
The Orange Sherbet Mango tree requires consistent and abundant light to flourish and produce fruit. It needs full sun exposure, ideally receiving 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight daily. Inadequate sunlight can lead to slower growth, reduced fruit quality, and increased susceptibility to issues. Choosing a location that provides unobstructed light throughout the day supports healthy development.
Soil and Potting
Well-draining soil is important for the Orange Sherbet Mango tree, as mango trees are susceptible to root rot. The soil pH should ideally be slightly acidic, between 5.5 and 7.5. For container-grown trees, use a lightweight, nutritive potting mix incorporating compost, peat moss, sand, and perlite for proper drainage and aeration. Amending heavy soils with sand or organic matter can improve drainage.
Watering Principles
The Orange Sherbet Mango tree has moderate water needs and becomes relatively drought-tolerant once established. During the growing season (spring through summer), deep watering about once a week is generally sufficient. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
In the first few years after planting, consistent watering is important for developing a strong root system. As the tree matures, watering frequency can be adjusted, often to every 10 to 14 days, depending on rainfall and soil moisture levels. During winter months or when dormant, watering should be reduced, allowing the soil to dry completely.
Fertilization Schedule
Orange Sherbet Mango trees benefit from regular feeding to support growth, flowering, and fruiting. During the first year, a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 NPK blend) can be applied every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season. After the first year, switch to a fertilizer with higher potassium and phosphorus (e.g., 8-3-9 or 6-3-10 blend) to support flowering and fruit production.
Fertilization should occur every 8 to 10 weeks during the growing season, typically from early spring to late summer. A high-phosphorus fertilizer (e.g., 12-55-6) can be applied just before the flowering period in early spring to encourage strong blooms. After harvest, a balanced fertilizer helps the tree recover and prepare for the next growing season.
Pruning for Health and Yield
Pruning helps shape the Orange Sherbet Mango tree, improves air circulation, prevents disease, and encourages fruit production. Regular pruning can help maintain the tree at a manageable height of 10 to 15 feet. When a branch reaches about 20 inches in length, pruning the tip can encourage new branching.
This can be done by cutting about 1/4 inch off the growing tip once new growth has hardened off and leaves are full. Thinning inner branches increases airflow throughout the canopy, reducing the risk of fungal diseases like anthracnose and powdery mildew. Mangoes flower and fruit on the ends of their branches, on mature wood at least six weeks old.
Harvesting and Enjoying Your Orange Sherbet Mangoes
Determining ripeness for Orange Sherbet mangoes involves several cues. The skin typically turns from a pale green to a pale yellow, sometimes with a slight orange blush, when ripe. The fruit should also have a medium-soft firmness to the touch.
A distinct citrus scent also signals readiness for harvest. To harvest, gently twist the fruit from the stem, ensuring not to damage the fruit or the tree. After harvest, these mangoes can be stored at room temperature until fully ripe, then refrigerated for longer. Their smooth, fiberless flesh and vibrant, sweet-tart flavor make them suitable for fresh eating, juicing, or use in various culinary applications.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Orange Sherbet Mango trees can encounter certain issues. Pests such as scale, mealybugs, aphids, and thrips can affect the tree’s health. Applying neem oil as blossom buds appear deters many insect species. Insecticidal soap can be used for infestations of aphids, mealybugs, or scale, applied every 5 to 7 days until resolved.
Common diseases include powdery mildew and anthracnose. Powdery mildew appears as a white powdery growth on leaves, flowers, and small fruits, while anthracnose causes dark black spots on fruit, twigs, and leaves. Maintaining good air circulation through proper pruning helps manage these. Removing infected plant debris helps reduce disease spread. Fungicides can be applied preventively, especially during periods of high humidity. The Orange Sherbet variety shows promising resistance to some common mango diseases.