Keitt
![Keitt Keitt](https://www.mangodatabase.com/images/varieties/whc65cb8fed0c8a7_2j2O0po2Ee_V15F5eNOjz.jpg)
Keitt was reportedly a seedling of the
Mulgoba cultivar that was planted on the property of Mrs. J.N. Keitt in Homestead, Florida in 1939. However, recent genetic analysis suggests Keitt was actually a seedling of
Brooks, which would help explain its late-season ripening and large fruit size. The cultivar was selected and named in 1945, after which it quickly gained commercial nursery acceptance for its flavor, productivity and lack of fiber. The fruit lacked color, however, and was much larger than most varieties, limiting it from becoming a widespread commercial staple. It did gain popularity among Florida home growers and remains one of the more widely planted trees in the state today.
Keitt trees are planted in the collections of the
USDA " target="_blank" title=" USDA "> USDA 's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, and the Miami–Dade
Fruit and Spice Park, also in Homestead.
They are self-fertile but when paired with other late-season mangoes will produce even larger yields.
Keitt mangoes, botanically classified as Mangifera indica, are an American variety belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. The late-season cultivar grows on evergreen trees reaching 3 to 18 meters in height and was discovered as a chance seedling in South Florida in the mid-20th century. Keitt mangoes are only available for a short season each year, around 4 to 6 weeks, and are favored by growers for their large size, low fiber content, and sweet and tangy flavor. Keitt mango trees are heavy bearers, producing fruits consistently throughout their season. Despite their productive nature, Keitt mangoes are only cultivated on a small scale as the trees have low disease resistance when young, making them challenging to grow on a large scale for commercial purposes. Some growers choose to produce and export the fruits, but the overall production of this variety is reserved for growers who sell the mangoes in local markets. Keitt mangoes are a specialty variety grown by mango enthusiasts worldwide, and the fleshy fruits are versatile, used in an array of fresh and cooked preparations.
Rigo From Zone 10 On Feb 13 2024
By far, this is the best all-around late mango. It is very productive, good-flavored, excellent for shipping, and disease resistant. It also has a very long and late season. The largest fruit mature in late July, and the smallest fruit can be left on the tree as late as November. Fruit ripen more evenly when picked green, starting with the largest fruit. Good variety for eating while green and to use for making Indian green mango pickle (achar). The variety has become one of the world's most outstanding mangos. Excellent productivity, and ripening time are some of the features of this four to five pound goliath.