Andrew:

Sorry, no help here. I have never heard of it. I do have a friend who is Puerto Rican and a fruit enthusiast to the extreme. I'll ask him see if he knows.

Harry

Thanks I appreciate it. my next step will be Fairchild, if they can't help me I will have to wait until we go back to Puerto Rico. I have to say that some of the best mangoes I ever ate came from there. From what I researched the U.S. planted 150 diffrent varieties there in early 1900's. I can't remember the exact date. I had some there that I swear must have been well over 5 pounds. I could not eat the whole thing. It was just too huge! This francaise mango is small and tastes like pineapple. I didn't try it when I was there but what I did sample was out of this world! I think some of the best ones I ate were in this town called Naguabo. This is a fishing town, and the mango trees were growing on the side of the dirt road. They were enormous trees. They must have been 80+feet tall! The fruit themselves were ugly, green with black and brown spots all over, but WOW what a flavor!! Sweet and sour at the same time with some fiber but not like dental floss. I cant wait to go back, now that I know a little more about grafting. Well thanks for trying to help me.
Andrew

A few weeks ago on Ebay I saw a nursery in Puerto Rico selling a variety they called a "Pineapple Mango" maybe thats the tree?

Swrancher,
I went to ebay but I didnt see anything. Could you check on it and see if it is there? Maybe I missed it. Thanks

Andrew:

Sorry, no help here. I have never heard of it. I do have a friend who is Puerto Rican and a fruit enthusiast to the extreme. I'll ask him see if he knows.

Harry

I have a pineapple delight mango from Puerto Rico (also called Pina). Mine came from ebay, but their website is www.tropicalfruitandpalmtrees.com. It hasn't fruited for me yet.

Lisa
zone 9a

Lisa:

Is your tree grafted?

Yes, it is grafted. I thought it had died last winter, but luckily came back above the graft. It seems hearty since it has grown up about 2.5 feet and is a good 3 feet in diameter with new growth showing regularly.

I'd be most interested to hear how it is when it fruits. Please keep us posted.

Well......I told Andrew I would write to a friend of mine regarding the Puerto Rican mango he called Francaise. I also asked my friend about the Pina mango. Here is the e-mail repsonse:

Harry
In PR they call most ultra-sweet mangos like NamDocMai "piña-mango" which means pineapple mango. There are no incredible cultivars there that are better than any of the ones that you have. PR is not very advanced when it comes to mangos or too many other fruits. We do have wonderful pineapples, fine coffee and maybe the best quenepas (spanish lime) found anywhere.
NR

So, I am not sure where this leaves me or the discussion about these mangos. This friend of mine is, may I stress, Puerto Rican himself. He is well traveled and he is a regular speaker/contributor to the various fruit clubs and their publications in Florida and California. He also knows my collection of mangos. So, that being said, I would still love hear about and perhaps eventually try any mango that is out there that I haven't tried. I would like to make a decsion for myself as to whether it is worth pursuing and owning or not.

Harry,
Thanks for your efforts. I did come across a very small picture of the 'Francaise' mango. It was on a poster with many mangoes. This was on a website for tropical fruits, the website was a Hawaiin directory for fruit. I also came across an article that said that after the U.S. took control over Puerto Rico, there was extensive research done on mango and over 150= varieties were planted there. I will go back there some day and find this tree, and get some bud wood before I leave. I know it wont be any time soon, but when I go I will do everything in my power to find it and obtain it. I also wanted to say that I ate the best Guanabana ever there. I think there are some very great fruit there. You might just have to look for a while before you find it.
Andrew

There is a nursery with a variety called Madame Francis. Could that be the same variety?

Lisa

Madame Francis or Madame Francine is a Haitian favorite. It is a fairly large and very tasty mango that has abundant fiber in it. They have been imported recently to the markets here in South Florida. I have a small tree newly planted. I planted it out as I have lots of Haitian customers and I thought the fruit was good enough to add to my collection. It doesn't taste like pineapple though. So I don't think it is Andrew"s Francais mango.

Andrew:

You said you found it listed on a mango poster. Where? I only see Franchelle. I have had Franchelle at the Old Four Fillies Farm in Miami. I really don't remember it that well....but I don't think it had a pineapple flavor either. Let me know where you saw it, please. The search continues.

Harry

The website is called fruit lovers nursery. When I googled francaise mango it brought me here. Yoou can't even blow it up to see the names of the mango!

Harry,
I am planning a trip to West Palm beach in August. I was wondering if thiswould be close to where you and your fruit stand are. I would like to be able to see your trees. I was thinking that maybe we could meet up and I might be able to see your three acres of paradise, and sample some of your fruits. I would like to have some root stock ready so I could get some bud wood from you if that is okay. I also would like to buy a bunch of your seasonal fruit meaning MANGO!!! I will be spending most of my time in the Miami area. I can't wait. I know I won't go home empty handed!! LOL!!
Andrew

Andrew:

I tried Googling Fraincais mango....it doesn't list that site when I try. However, I did find that site previously and their mango poster with 143 varieties. If you click on the poster and then use your page zoom in your browser, you can get a close up view....blury but close up. I any case, they also provide a list of the mangos displayed in the poster. Number 40 is Franchelle...as I alluded to in a previous post...and no Francais. Check it out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Names of mangos on poster

Hey Harry,
My bad. I guess I am back to square one. I am beginning to wonder if the name of this mango is even correct. It is possible that someone grew a seed and named it francaise. who knows. It win't sop me from buying another tree!
Andrew

Andrew:

I posted my last message some how missing your post about coming to Florida. W. Palm Beach is about an hour to an hour and a quarter drive north of me. But, if you are going to Miami anyway, I would be on the way. I am somewhere close to mid way between West Palm Beach and Miami. You are certainly welcome to stop by to see my yard. I don't know what I'll have in the way of mango in August. Much will depend on how early the season begins. We are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Wilma which was 4 years ago. Since that storm, and the subsequent loss of canopies on my mango trees, we have either had no crop (immediately after the storm), to light crops (the next 2 years), to a great crop.....but very early this past year. By this past August everything was done except for the later variety mangos like Kent, Keitt, Neelum, Valencia Pride,Beverly, Lancetilla and I think Golden Nuggett. No idea what next year will bring. Then there is the little mater of next year's hurricane season. The peak of the season is from August 15th thru September 15th. So, keep your fingers crossed. In any case, you are more than welcome to have any budwood you'd like. It should also be the beginning of jakfruit season again, depending.

So...be sure to give me a heads up when you are headed this way.

Harry

Thanks Harry, I will definetly let you know when I come down. I am whipped riht now. I just carried in about 30 of my tropicals including my mango and most of my tropical fruits. My mango flower buds are still really small, but they look great. So far, so good. I can't wait to see what happens. i am going to shop online for some organic fertilizer and micronutrients. Any suggestions?
Andrew

Sorry, again not too much help here. I have used a seaweed extract called Keyplex, or something like that.....but only for problems. My soil is adequate for most of my plants and trees so I don't do too much nutrient shopping. Good, luck.....I am sure there are others who can give better advice than I can.

Harry