The Honey Gold mango story began at Alton Downs, 14 kilometres north-west of Rockhampton in 1991 when a single tree – a Kensington Pride off-type – was naturally pollinated by an unknown variety.
Growing at rockhampton
Set over 20 hectares on heavy black clay soil, our Rockhampton property has about 6,500 trees under cultivation, producing up to 40,000 trays of mangoes in an average season.
The Rockhampton crop
In 2002, after researching its commercial potential, we bought the plant breeders’ rights to the variety marketed as Honey Gold and acquired the Central Queensland farm and its 8,000 trees.
The original tree continues to bear fruit each season and is the only Honey Gold tree to have been planted by seed. All other trees are grafted – either by specialist nurseries or by us.
The property bordered by Black Gin and Limestone Creeks and close to the Fitzroy River has experienced two devastating floods due to rising backwater. This resulted in the loss of 3,500 trees in 2011 and 3,000 replacement trees in 2013.
With winter day temperatures averaging 23 degrees celsius and about 10 degrees celsius overnight, the climate is well suited to mango production. Here, it takes about two months from flowering to the onset of fruit.
The farm is maintained by a contracted grower, until a crew arrives from Wamuran at harvest time. Once picked, fruit travels seven hours by truck to Wamuran to be packed.