Torbert facts for kids

The Torbert' mango is a special type of mango that first grew in south Florida. It's known for its round shape and orange-yellow skin. Sometimes people spell its name wrong, like 'Torbet' or 'Tolbert'.

The Story of the Torbert Mango

How the Torbert Mango Started

The very first Torbert mango tree grew from a seed. It was planted in the 1940s by Tommy Torbert. This happened on his land in Goulds, Florida. For a long time, no one knew which mango was its parent. But in 2005, scientists studied its family tree. They found that the famous Haden mango was likely its parent.

Early Days and Being Forgotten

In 1952, the Torbert mango was shown to the Florida Mango Forum. This was a group that looked at new mango types. The Torbert family thought their mango was very promising. They shared parts of the tree (called graftwood) with the University of Miami's Experimental Farm. This farm was in Perrine, Florida. Some people in the area also planted Torbert trees in their home gardens. These gardens were around Miami-Dade County.

However, the Torbert mango was not grown widely by nurseries. It was also not used much for selling in stores. Even though it got some attention, it was mostly forgotten for many years.

The Torbert Mango Returns

The Torbert mango made a comeback in 1981. Carl W. Campbell and Richard J. Campbell brought graftwood from Honduras. They found a Torbert tree growing there. Later, they discovered at least one Torbert tree was still in Florida. It was at a farm in Homestead, Florida, owned by Roy O. Nelson.

Today, Torbert mango trees are part of special collections. You can find them at the USDA's plant collection in Miami, Florida. They are also at the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead. These places help keep different plant types safe.

What the Torbert Mango Looks Like

Fruit Description

The Torbert mango fruit is round, almost like a ball. It looks a lot like the Cushman mango. When it's fully grown, it usually weighs about one pound. Its skin is orange-yellow. A red blush often covers much of the skin. The skin is thick, which helps the fruit travel well without damage.

The inside of the mango, called the flesh, is yellow. It has some fibers, but not too many. It tastes mildly sweet and has a light smell. The seed inside is special because it's polyembryonic. This means it can grow more than one plant from a single seed. This is unusual for a mango that comes from the Haden family.

Ripening and Production

Torbert mangoes usually get ripe in Florida from June to July. The trees produce a good amount of fruit. They also do this consistently every year.

Tree Description

The Torbert mango tree grows at a medium speed. It tends to stay small to medium in size.