Canistel Plant - Aurea
Canistel (Pouteria campechiana)
Canistel, or Pouteria campechiana, is a tropical treasure, revered for its unique, custard-like fruit that resembles a cooked egg yolk in texture and taste. Native to Central America, this exotic fruit is not just a culinary delight but also a stunning addition to any garden with its lush, evergreen foliage and vibrant yellow-to-orange fruits.
Growing a canistel tree is a journey of both culinary and horticultural discovery. It’s a conversation starter, a source of delicious fruits, and a testament to the wonders of tropical flora.
Plant Care
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH around 6.0 to 7.0.
- Watering: Water regularly to maintain moist soil, particularly during the growing season; reduce watering in cooler months.
- Temperature: Thrives in warm climates, ideally between 20°C and 30°C. Protect from frost.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Fertilising: Use a balanced NPK fertilizer such as 8-3-9 every three months during the growing season to encourage growth and fruiting.
- Pruning: Prune to shape the tree and to remove dead or diseased branches. Light pruning helps promote healthier growth.
- Mulching: Apply organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pest Control: Monitor for pests such as aphids and scale insects. Treat with appropriate insecticides as needed.
- Flowering and Fruiting: Produces small, inconspicuous flowers, followed by large yellow to orange fruits that are ready to harvest when soft to the touch.
- Potting: Can be grown in a large container with good drainage. Ensure it is watered frequently and fed regularly.
- Feeding Regime: Regular applications of a balanced NPK with emphasis on potassium during the fruiting period can improve yield and fruit quality.
We ship our plants and garden supplies throughout New Zealand. Due to the increased costs of shipping and packaging, we now apply a minimal delivery charge. After offering free shipping for three consecutive years, we find it necessary to adjust this policy to align with current market conditions. However, we have lowered our prices to help offset this change.
Please note, we do not ship plants or garden supplies internationally from New Zealand. We do export plants and tissue culture materials from our overseas nursery, which requires a minimum order. Please contact us at hello@exoticanz.com to discuss your specific requirements.
Shipping (per plant)
Auckland & Northland: $20
Rest of North Island: $25
South Island: $35
Rural Address: Additional $5
Shipping Garden Supplies
Auckland & Northland: $10
Rest of North Island: $15
South Island: $20
Rural Address: Additional $5
Delivery
- Our plants are available for shipment throughout the year, depending on stock levels. Typical delivery times range from 5 to 7 business days, although they can take up to 10 business days depending on the destination.
- We take extra care in packaging; most of our plants are secured in bespoke inserts and shipped in individual boxes to ensure they arrive undamaged.
- Deliveries are scheduled once a week, typically on Monday. If you place your order over the weekend, we aim to dispatch your plants on the following Monday. This scheduling allows our team to prepare your order thoroughly and ensures the courier has sufficient time to deliver your plants safely, avoiding any unnecessary delays over the weekend.
- All orders are shipped via courier track and trace service (not signature required)
- We cannot deliver to PO Box addresses.
- If you have a rural address, please contact us beforehand to discuss the best delivery options and avoid any potential issues.
Additional Delivery Information
- We dispatch our plants year-round, as most are shipped with soil. During the winter months, we closely monitor weather conditions and may temporarily delay shipments if the weather is particularly severe. Our packing process includes adding insulation when necessary to protect the plants against temperature extremes.
- In summer, we ensure that plants are thoroughly watered before they leave our nursery. Occasionally, we may need to ship plants bare-rooted, particularly when they cannot be comfortably re-potted into smaller packaging for shipping. We will always discuss this with you in advance if your plant needs to be shipped in this manner.
- It's important to note that shipping can be a stressful experience for plants, often due to spending several days in a dark, confined space. While most plants withstand this with little to no stress, some may experience leaf drop. However, they generally recover quickly with some additional care, including proper watering and gradual reintroduction to light after arrival.
