• Lemon Zest Mango Scion
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Lemon Zest

Lemon Zest

$9.95 USD
$9.95 USD
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Lemon Zest originated as a seedling selection of Po Pyu Kalay (“Lemon Meringue”) from Gary Zill’s breeding work in Boynton Beach, Florida.

The fruit shares a visual resemblance to Lemon Meringue, featuring a bright yellow skin, but is noticeably larger with an oval-to-oblong shape and a small beak at the base. The flesh is deep yellow, completely fiberless, and intensely sweet, with powerful candied citrus notes reminiscent of orange and tangelo that can be overwhelming to some palates. Seeds are large and polyembryonic.

Ripening occurs later than Lemon Meringue, typically mid to late summer. Trees are slow to establish but eventually become very vigorous, developing a dense, upright canopy.

Disease pressure is a significant consideration. The variety shows moderate susceptibility to anthracnose during bloom and early fruit set and is highly susceptible to powdery mildew. Flowering can be inconsistent, with occasional winter flushing, and long-term productivity has been further challenged by sensitivity to bacterial black spot.

Due to these factors, Lemon Zest is often not recommended for regions where bacterial black spot is prevalent. However, it may perform well in drier climates such as Southern California, where disease pressure is reduced and growth is more manageable. In select parts of Florida with lower incidence of bacterial black spot, some growers continue to achieve success with this cultivar.

Flavor profile: Citrus
Origin: Florida, USA

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