Where to get genuine Sweet Elena seedlings

The claim of several business enterprises and research institutions that grafted Sweet Elena (Mangifera Indica) seedlings are available from them. Is not true, according to pomologist Bernie Dizon. Dizon operates a botanic fruit garden at the Ninoy Wildlife Parks, Diliman, Quezon City, where he is topworking some 1,000 Sweet Elena seedlings with other superior strains for pest-and-disease-free seedlings with superior fruiting quality.

Sweet Elena owner Nida Malabed, said she had designated only Bernie Dizon as the exclusive propagator and distributor in Metro Manila of grafted Sweet Elena seedlings aside from the family nursery in Sabang, Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

In a letter to the Executive Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Malabed stated: "As the legal and registered owner of the Sweet Elena in the National Seed Industry Council Registry No. NSIC-02-Mn-04 given on Oct. 18, 2002 at the National Seed Quality Control Services, Diliman, Quezon City.

"It is my responsibility to provide through Mr. Dizon, the buying public with the genuine and real grafted Sweet Elena Mango seedlings produced with the highest standard of quality. I believe this can only be achieved if the grafted Sweet Elena Mango Seedlings sold to the public are genuine and of the best quality.

"I have not entered into any legally binding agreement to co-produce grafted Sweet Elena seedlings with any business establishments and research institution I, therefore, seek your intervention regarding this matter. Your intervention will put an end to the unlawful and unauthorized proliferation and sales of grafted Sweet Elena Mango seedlings by issuing a cease and desist order to all business firms and institutions that are transacting business in any form using the name of Sweet Elena.

Sweet Elena (known simply as LL07 (Leopoldo, Lorna, 07 is a winner many times over. This jumbo carabao mango weighs an average of 489 grams each or nearly half a kilo. Being small seeded, the edible portion is 83.24 percent. Having a Brix reading of 19.5 degrees, it is sweeter than any of the previously accredited carabao mango varieties by the NSIC.

In a recent "Mango Pinaka Contest," Sweet Elena won first prize in three categories: Pinaka Malaki, Pinaka Matamis; and Best Quality. Aside from that the 1995 World Guinness Book of Records listed Zambales as producer of the sweetest mangoes in the Philippines. Among them is the Sweet Elena.