NFM grower wins largest mango honors at MangoMania festival
The coveted prizes for largest mango at MangoMania were won by Robert Floyd of North Fort Myers with 6.84 pound mango; Ross McDonald of South Fort Myers with one weighing 5.12; and Bokeelia resident Bill Cyzewski, a close third place with a mango coming in at 5.10 pounds.
Cyzewski and his wife, Mary, have owned their mango grove since 1990. They primarily grow Kent cultivars but also have Haden, Irwin, and Keitt varieties. Their prize-winning mango is a Keitt that should have weighed in at a modest two to three pounds.
How did they grow the mango so far above average?
“We didn’t do anything magical,” Mary Cyzewski said. “We just love our mangos.”
She spotted the future star on a tree and informed her husband, “I think I found it.”
As it continued to grow, they nicknamed it, “Andre the Giant.”
This was the first year the Cyzewskis have participated in MangoMania, and they enjoyed the experience of interacting with people and giving advice about how to grow mangos. They trim their trees in the fall, don’t use pesticides or fungicides and don’t even irrigate since their trees are so well established.
“And we talk to them when they’re blooming.”
Mangos are available for purchase at the grove at 7135 Tropical Lane or through their new website www.eatmoremangos.com. They ship fruit throughout the continental United States. For more information call 283-0106.