Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota)

Rare and Extremely Limited, one off opportunity!

The sapodilla, or brown sugar fruit as it's also named, is a deliciously sweet fruit that has a texture like a pear and a unique sugary flavour. The taste shares similarities with brown sugar, caramel and molasses.

This plant is air layered, from a well established plant in NZ. The mother plant has flowered for the first time in 2022.  The air layered Sapodilla Plant is a collector edition. The fruit is medium size, roundish, it has less grittiness, comes with a greenish/ brown color flesh. The taste of it is so sweet one has to have them with some cream or dash of lemon juice  to dilute the sugar content. The taste is very similar to a caramel flan. It has thin skin and very juicy.  The plant is self-fertile, and a great producer. Each fruit can go to 200g.

In ideal conditions and the right climate Sapodilla will fruit within 4 years. In NZ, it might take 4+ years to fruit. The air layered plant will guarantee the genetic of the mother plant and will produce so much faster than seeds grown plant.

We recommended to keep the plant in a pot for as long as possible before attempting to replant in the ground. The Sapodilla plant are able to fruit whilst in a pot and could be a great option. 

Plant Care

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
• Watering: Requires regular watering, especially during the dry season, to keep the soil consistently moist.
• Temperature: Thrives in warm climates, ideally between 25°C and 30°C.
• Light: Needs full sun to produce the best fruit.
• Fertilising: Use a balanced NPK fertilizer such as 10-10-10 every three months during the growing season.
• Pruning: Minimal pruning required; just remove dead or damaged branches to maintain tree health.
• Mulching: Apply organic mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Pest Control: Monitor for pests such as aphids and scale insects. Treat with appropriate organic pesticides if necessary.
• Flowering and Fruiting: Produces white to yellow-brown flowers followed by brown, round, edible fruits with a sweet, malty flavor.
• Potting: Can be grown in large containers with good drainage but performs best in the ground.
• Feeding Regime: Regular feeding with balanced NPK fertilizer 10-10-10 enhances growth and fruiting