White Sapote - how long until fruiting?

Natureboy · 11-03-2011, 07:58 PM

I checked the archives, but I didn't see anything specifically about this. I planted a grafted White Sapote in April 2010 - it was a spindly, whippy little thing. Now I've got a 6-7ft, bushy tree (I trim it back a few times a year) that appears to be very wind tolerant and fairly cool tolerant (survived 27F unprotected with no damage).

It is either a 'Redlands' or 'Younghans' cultivar (the tag was removed at some point and now I can't remember). I bought it from Pine Island in S. Florida, so it seems to be more of a Florida variety vs. California. Has anyone had experience with either of these varieties? Even if you haven't, how long does it typically take for a grafted White Sapote to flower/fruit? The caliper is about 2" just above ground level. I could post a pic, but just trying to get a general idea for now.

Thanks, Nate.

Richard · 11-03-2011, 08:19 PM

You'll start getting regular crops when the base of the trunk is about 4 inch diameter. Feed it Avocado & Citrus food -- it is a member of the Citrus family that ended up evolving alongside Avocados and Guavas in the western hemisphere. When it does start producing regularly you have a different question: when is it going to stop?!

Natureboy · 11-03-2011, 09:38 PM

Thanks, Richard. So, my next question is: once I start getting a cornucopia of fruit off this thing, how will the fruit taste? Of course, this is subjective and varies with cultivar, I'm sure. I've heard/read it's custard-like and sweet, with hints of banana, vanilla, lemon, and peach. Apparently, though, some folks have been disappointed by what they describe as a "bitter aftertaste". I would love to try the fruit if anyone in this area is growing a bearing tree... I have a Kary carambola (starfruit) that gets excellent fruit - I would be willing to trade!

Richard · 11-03-2011, 10:27 PM

All those descriptors are accurate except peach. Some cultivars are notorious for having a bitter skin, or an abundance of seeds, etc. In southern CA the variety "Suebelle" is liked by many people, but I don't know about its performance in FL. There are some favorites in FL that produce substandard fruit here. Getting the right cultivar for your environment seems to be important.

venturabananas · 11-04-2011, 01:05 AM

I've only tried one ever in my life, last week, so take this for what it's worth. I like unusual fruit, but white sapote didn't do it for me. Maybe it will for you -- I think many people love them. Strange and funky, with hints of banana and coconut. I think it probably was the skin that put me off, it definitely had a different and not so delicious flavor. To my tastebuds, it wasn't even the ballpark with cherimoya, which shares some flavor characteristics. But it certainly wasn't bad, it just wasn't remarkably good.

sunfish · 11-04-2011, 11:50 AM

Taste like chicken

with a hint of melon

venturabananas · 11-04-2011, 12:49 PM

Good one Tony.

Natureboy · 11-04-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Taste like chicken

with a hint of melon

Wow, that's exactly what I was hoping for!!!

Natureboy · 11-04-2011, 07:39 PM

OK, so I searched back through emails and found that I do, in fact, have the 'Redlands' cultivar. Found a thread on GardenWeb where someone from Brevard County, FL (same county as me) claims that 'Redlands' is the best FL variety... hopefully they're right!
Whats your faverite tropical fruits??? - Tropical Fruits Forum - GardenWeb

11-03-2011, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Natureboy Natureboy's Photo Gallery Location: Titusville, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 47,688 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 124 Times Was Thanked 138 Times in 59 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	White Sapote - how long until fruiting? I checked the archives, but I didn't see anything specifically about this. I planted a grafted White Sapote in April 2010 - it was a spindly, whippy little thing. Now I've got a 6-7ft, bushy tree (I trim it back a few times a year) that appears to be very wind tolerant and fairly cool tolerant (survived 27F unprotected with no damage). It is either a 'Redlands' or 'Younghans' cultivar (the tag was removed at some point and now I can't remember). I bought it from Pine Island in S. Florida, so it seems to be more of a Florida variety vs. California. Has anyone had experience with either of these varieties? Even if you haven't, how long does it typically take for a grafted White Sapote to flower/fruit? The caliper is about 2" just above ground level. I could post a pic, but just trying to get a general idea for now. Thanks, Nate. __________________ Praying hands: a good way to thank God and a darn good banana, too! Current varieties: Dwarf Namwah, FHIA-03 (Sweetheart), White Iholena, Maoli, Orinoco, Manzano (Apple), Praying Hands, Dwarf Brazilian, Pisang Raja, Rajapuri, Ice Cream (Blue Java), FHIA-01 (Goldfinger), Kandarian

11-03-2011, 08:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 554,495 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: White Sapote - how long until fruiting? You'll start getting regular crops when the base of the trunk is about 4 inch diameter. Feed it Avocado & Citrus food -- it is a member of the Citrus family that ended up evolving alongside Avocados and Guavas in the western hemisphere. When it does start producing regularly you have a different question: when is it going to stop?! __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

11-03-2011, 09:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Natureboy Natureboy's Photo Gallery Location: Titusville, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 47,688 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 124 Times Was Thanked 138 Times in 59 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: White Sapote - how long until fruiting? Thanks, Richard. So, my next question is: once I start getting a cornucopia of fruit off this thing, how will the fruit taste? Of course, this is subjective and varies with cultivar, I'm sure. I've heard/read it's custard-like and sweet, with hints of banana, vanilla, lemon, and peach. Apparently, though, some folks have been disappointed by what they describe as a "bitter aftertaste". I would love to try the fruit if anyone in this area is growing a bearing tree... I have a Kary carambola (starfruit) that gets excellent fruit - I would be willing to trade! __________________ Praying hands: a good way to thank God and a darn good banana, too! Current varieties: Dwarf Namwah, FHIA-03 (Sweetheart), White Iholena, Maoli, Orinoco, Manzano (Apple), Praying Hands, Dwarf Brazilian, Pisang Raja, Rajapuri, Ice Cream (Blue Java), FHIA-01 (Goldfinger), Kandarian

11-03-2011, 10:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 554,495 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: White Sapote - how long until fruiting? All those descriptors are accurate except peach. Some cultivars are notorious for having a bitter skin, or an abundance of seeds, etc. In southern CA the variety "Suebelle" is liked by many people, but I don't know about its performance in FL. There are some favorites in FL that produce substandard fruit here. Getting the right cultivar for your environment seems to be important. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

11-04-2011, 01:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
venturabananas venturabananas's Photo Gallery Location: Ventura, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Mark Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,845 BananaBucks : 245,505 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,752 Times Was Thanked 3,969 Times in 1,713 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 39 Times	Re: White Sapote - how long until fruiting? I've only tried one ever in my life, last week, so take this for what it's worth. I like unusual fruit, but white sapote didn't do it for me. Maybe it will for you -- I think many people love them. Strange and funky, with hints of banana and coconut. I think it probably was the skin that put me off, it definitely had a different and not so delicious flavor. To my tastebuds, it wasn't even the ballpark with cherimoya, which shares some flavor characteristics. But it certainly wasn't bad, it just wasn't remarkably good. __________________

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11-04-2011, 11:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,012,428 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: White Sapote - how long until fruiting? Taste like chicken with a hint of melon Last edited by sunfish : 11-04-2011 at 01:51 PM.

11-04-2011, 12:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
venturabananas venturabananas's Photo Gallery Location: Ventura, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Mark Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,845 BananaBucks : 245,505 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,752 Times Was Thanked 3,969 Times in 1,713 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 39 Times	Re: White Sapote - how long until fruiting? Good one Tony. __________________

11-04-2011, 07:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
Natureboy Natureboy's Photo Gallery Location: Titusville, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 47,688 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 124 Times Was Thanked 138 Times in 59 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: White Sapote - how long until fruiting? OK, so I searched back through emails and found that I do, in fact, have the 'Redlands' cultivar. Found a thread on GardenWeb where someone from Brevard County, FL (same county as me) claims that 'Redlands' is the best FL variety... hopefully they're right! Whats your faverite tropical fruits??? - Tropical Fruits Forum - GardenWeb __________________ Praying hands: a good way to thank God and a darn good banana, too! Current varieties: Dwarf Namwah, FHIA-03 (Sweetheart), White Iholena, Maoli, Orinoco, Manzano (Apple), Praying Hands, Dwarf Brazilian, Pisang Raja, Rajapuri, Ice Cream (Blue Java), FHIA-01 (Goldfinger), Kandarian

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