Ice Cream

The Ice Cream mango tree is a popular dwarf variety known for its uniquely flavored fruit and manageable size. Here’s what you should know:

1. About the Ice Cream Mango:

• Flavor: The Ice Cream mango is famous for its creamy, sweet, and rich flavor reminiscent of mango sorbet or ice cream, with some suggesting hints of vanilla.
• Texture: The flesh is fiberless, smooth, and very juicy.
• Size: The fruit is small, typically weighing around 8 ounces (half a pound).
• Color: The skin is yellow-green, lacking a red blush, and remains green even when ripe.
• Tree Size: The Ice Cream mango is a dwarf or semi-dwarf variety, growing to about 6-8 feet tall, making it suitable for smaller yards or container growing.
• Disease Resistance: This variety is generally considered disease and pest-tolerant. However, some sources note that it can be susceptible to fungal diseases and mango bacterial black spot.
• Fruiting Season: In Florida, Ice Cream mangoes typically ripen from June to July.
• Origin: It originated in Trinidad and Tobago and was introduced to Florida in the 1990s. 

2. Growing an Ice Cream Mango Tree:

• Climate: Mango trees thrive in warm, tropical, or subtropical climates. They need full sun and temperatures that don’t drop below freezing. In Florida, planting in the warmest areas, like the southeast and southwest coasts, is recommended.
• Soil: Mango trees prefer well-drained soil. They can tolerate a variety of soil types but do best in sandy or loamy soils.
• Planting: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and just as deep. Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Water thoroughly.
• Watering: Water regularly, especially when the tree is young. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize young trees with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Mature trees benefit from a fertilizer formulated for fruit trees.
• Pruning: Prune regularly to maintain the desired shape and size of the tree. 

3. Things to Consider:

• Grafted vs. Seedling: It’s best to purchase a grafted tree. Grafted trees fruit sooner (usually within 2-3 years) and ensure you’re getting the desired variety. Seedling trees may take 5-8 years to fruit and may not produce the same quality of fruit as the parent tree.
• Space: While the Ice Cream is a smaller mango tree, it still needs adequate space to grow and produce fruit.
• Care: Mango trees require regular care, including watering, fertilizing, and pruning, to stay healthy and productive. 

By considering these factors, you can decide if an Ice Cream mango tree is the right choice for your Florida landscape and enjoy the sweet rewards of homegrown mangoes.