Lue Gim Gong

Aronson, Virginia. Gift of the Unicorn: The Story of Lue Gim Gong, Florida's Citrus Wizard. Sarasota, Fla.: Pineapple Press, 2002.

 

Lue Gim Gong picking citrus in the grove, 1894.

Lue Gim Gong posing with a citrus fruit in his hands, [early, 1880's & 1890's].

Lue Gim Gong posing with children in front of a citrus tree, [early, 1880's & 1890's].

 

Developing citrus to serve the needs of a grower, such as oranges with more juice or thicker-skinned grapefruits, is one of the most difficult processes involved in the industry. In the early years of experimentation to produce freeze-resistant and sweeter citrus, Lue Gim Gong, a Chinese immigrant who became an American citizen, gained respect from the citrus community and earned awards for his masterful skill in cultivation. Lue Gim Gong’s freeze-resistant oranges and grapefruits became a central Florida staple, and trees he personally budded still exist today in Deland.