Matt's 9b field note
“Paired with KSU Chappell. 'Mango' is known for its sweet, tropical-flavored fruit.”
Background
Mango is an older named pawpaw selection from American breeding work, valued for its distinctly tropical flavor profile. It is a well-established cultivar in the nursery trade and was used as the reference genome cultivar in a recent high-quality pawpaw genome assembly, reflecting its recognized status among named varieties.
Distinguishing traits
Large fruit with soft, less-firm yellow-orange flesh and a sweet mango-banana-pineapple flavor without acidity; a few brown seeds. Vigorous tree to about 25 ft with large tropical-looking leaves and maroon spring flowers; not self-fertile.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- Needs roughly 400+ chill hours; gets plenty in Phoenix winters.
- Cold hardiness
- Hardy to zone 5 (about -23°F); cold is a non-issue in 9b.
- Heat tolerance
- Good heat tolerance once established, but young trees need shade and protection from intense afternoon sun for the first 2 years; mulch heavily and water deeply in Phoenix summers.
- Water
- Consistent moisture during establishment; regular deep watering for best fruiting.
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained loam, slightly acidic to neutral, high in organic matter.
- Sun exposure
- Partial shade when young, full sun when mature.
Where to buy
- Pleasant Run Nursery