Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
tends to grow long unbranched stems so
pinch out/cut back branches once they are a
metre or so long to encourage side growth.
White sapote is well suited to training as a
pyramid shaped tree (see page 128).
Fruitingwood
The white sapote bears fruit on the end of
new growth arising from a bud produced the
previous season.
Pruningtime
Prune after harvest to remove growth that has
already fruited. Leave the shoots of that
season to carry next year's crop.
Figure 7.11
White sapote tastes like a smooth rich custard
and is as easy to grow as citrus. (Photo Norwood
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cultivar as seedling trees can grow to 20 m
and their fruit quality is variable. Grafted
trees are a more manageable 5 to 10 m
depending on the climate they are grown in.
The cooler the climate the smaller they are.
Maintenance
Once wide-angled scaffold branches have
been established, the white sapote needs little
regular pruning. Prune for shape and to keep
the canopy open to air and sunshine.
Some cultivars of white sapote can be self-
fertile; however, some require a pollinator.
Your nursery supplier will be able to give
guidance on suitable cultivars.
Harvest
Some white sapotes change colour to yellow
or orange as they ripen; others maintain the
fresh apple green of juvenile fruit. Those that
do not change colour will feel slightly soft.
They can be harvested when not quite ripe as
they will ripen off the tree.
They are upright trees that need to be pruned
to a short trunk and the branches encouraged
to wide branch angles with weights or
spreaders (see Figure 6.14, page 151). It also
