Cecilove Mango: A Distinguished Florida Cultivar

The Cecilove mango, also known as Zill 34-24, represents a remarkable achievement in mango cultivation. Developed by Gary Zill in Boynton Beach, Florida, this distinguished cultivar emerges from a hybrid crossing of the ‘Carrie’ mango and ‘Zill Indochinese’ (Zinc), resulting in a fruit that captures the essence of Indochinese hybrid flavors.

Origins and Development

Originally designated as number 34-24 in Zill’s breeding program, the cultivar earned its name ‘Cecilove’ through Dr. Richard Campbell, who named it in honor of his wife, Cecilia. The variety has gained recognition for its exceptional eating quality and practical growth characteristics.

Physical Characteristics

The fruit presents a medium size, typically weighing approximately one pound, with an ovate shape and yellow skin at maturity. Its completely fiberless, yellow flesh delivers a complex flavor profile, transitioning from initial tartness to a syrupy sweetness with distinctive cola-like notes. The fruit’s exceptional sweetness is evidenced by Brix measurements reaching into the 20s.

Growth and Cultivation

The Cecilove mango tree exhibits several notable characteristics:

• A slow growth rate with a very compact, dense canopy
• Classification as a dwarf variety, ideal for limited spaces
• Mid-season maturation (June to July)
• Strong disease resistance
• Propagation through grafting with monoembryonic seeds

Flavor Profile and Quality

The Cecilove stands out for its sophisticated taste profile, featuring:

• Initial tartness that mellows with ripening
• Rich Indochinese hybrid flavor notes
• Complex combination of citrus and berry undertones
• Distinctive cola-like essence
• Comparable quality to other ‘Zinc’ relatives like ‘Venus,’ ‘Sweet Tart,’ and ‘Buttercream’

Commercial and Home Growing Value

The cultivar’s compact growth habit and disease resistance make it exceptionally suitable for both commercial orchards and home gardens. Its adaptability to subtropical regions, combined with space-efficient growth patterns, positions it as a practical choice for diverse growing environments.

Cultural Impact

Beyond its horticultural significance, the Cecilove mango represents ongoing innovation in Florida’s mango cultivation, particularly in developing varieties that balance exceptional flavor with practical growing characteristics. Its naming honors the personal connection between horticulture and community, reflecting the cultivar’s unique place in modern mango development.

Mango Characteristics

• Taste: Indochinese Hybrid
• Sweetness: Excellent
• Sourness: Mild to Tart (depending on ripeness)
• Fiber: None
• Fruit Size: Medium (approximately 1 pound)
• Eaten Green: No
• Production: Good
• Season: Mid (June to July)
• Growth Habit: Slow, Compact
• Tree Size: Dwarf
• Disease Resistance: Excellent
• Seed Type: Monoembryonic