How to grow Black Sapote

Where to plant

Black sapote is not cold tolerant. UF/IFAS notes young trees are damaged or killed at or below 30°F and mature trees at or below 28°F. Plant it in full sun in the warmest part of the garden, away from buildings, other trees and power lines, as it can grow large if not pruned. It grows in most well drained soils, including Florida's sands and alkaline limestone soils, and UF/IFAS reports it as flood tolerant but only moderately drought tolerant.

It suits South Florida and Hawaii, and sheltered, frost free spots in Central Florida where young trees can be covered on cold nights. Elsewhere in the country, including North Florida, the Gulf Coast, Texas and California, it needs a large container moved under cover in winter, or a heated greenhouse.

Choosing a variety

Seedlings do not come true and some carry only male flowers, which never fruit, so buy a grafted or air layered tree of a named variety. UF/IFAS lists Merida (also sold as Reineke) and Bernicker as available in Florida. Merida gives very sweet fruit 2.5 to 4 inches (6 to 10 cm) across, ripening from November to January. Some varieties need a second tree for pollination, so ask the nursery.

How to plant

1. Choose a healthy tree in a 3 gallon pot, about 2 to 4 feet tall. Avoid large trees in small pots, which are likely to be root bound.
2. Plant in spring or early summer so the tree establishes in warm weather.
3. Dig a hole wider than the pot and as deep, and set the tree at the same depth it grew in the pot.
4. Water well, and mulch 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) deep, keeping the mulch 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) from the trunk.

Watering and feeding

UF/IFAS advises watering a new tree at planting, every other day for the first week or so, then once or twice a week for the first couple of months. In dry spells of five days or more, water young trees, up to three years old, once a week. Once the rainy season arrives, watering can be cut back or stopped, and older trees need water only in long droughts.

Black sapote is not a heavy feeder. Begin with small, regular doses of a young tree fertilizer with minor elements once new growth starts, about every 6 to 8 weeks in the first year, and increase gradually as the tree grows, following the label.

Pruning and care through the year

• Prune young trees in their first two years to encourage side branches.
• Once the tree is bearing, cut the top back to about 12 to 15 feet (3.5 to 4.5 m) and remove a few upper limbs each year so the lower canopy is not shaded out. Pruning to open the canopy also helps the tree stand up to hurricane winds.
• Cover young trees on frost nights in Central Florida.

Harvesting

Pick the fruit when mature but still firm: the skin changes from shiny green to dull green and the lobes of the green cap (calyx) curl upward. Harvested fruit softens to eating quality in 3 to 14 days at room temperature. It is ripe when very soft, and the pulp has turned dark brown to black.

In Florida, harvest mostly runs from December to February, although some trees crop in June to August. Ripe fruit keeps a few days in the fridge, and the pulp freezes well.

Using it

Scoop the soft pulp out of the skin and remove the seeds. UF/IFAS notes it is eaten fresh or used in drinks, ice cream, cakes and other desserts.

Propagation and saving seed

Black sapote can be grown from seed, but seedlings vary, may take 5 to 6 years to flower and can be male only. Named varieties are propagated by grafting, budding or air layering.