Who grows Sapodillas

[bubba]

This is an out of the ordinary and primarily tropical fruit.They grow quite large here (the Trees) about 50 feet tall and thick.Who else out there grows this fruit tree and how large do they get in your area?I have tried these little brown fruit and they are beyond sweet.

[popper1]

These are very popular is some of the tropical countries and there are many different varieties. All are pretty slow growing and take awhile to get fruitung size. There are some newer varieties that are drawf and fruit prolifically at just 3-4' (although the fruit are small). Trees can get 100ft, I saw some huge ones when I lived in Hawaii; maybe not 100' but certainly over 50.

[aussiearoids]

I have seen a very large very old sparse tree on a small Indonesian Island , very impressive .

The fruit is very popular in Philippines & Thailand . Certain cultivars can get fruit easily the size of a tennis ball , but alas the flavoue is not there . Can be difficult to tell when ready to pick , but so worth growing . I only have 1 at the moment but would like a few more .. I would describe flavour of the best as coffee toffee mmmmm enak sekali.

[ariscott]

One of my favourite fruits. Although, it is slow growing compared to other fruit trees I am growing. I think it will be a while before I can eat some fruit from them.

Regards, Ari

[MattyB]

I've seen a very large Sapodilla growing in Al's old yard here in SD, planted before he moved to Kona many years ago. It's gotta be 20 tall by 20 feet wide. The largest I've seen.

[pdleft]

I have a grafted cultivar that is covered with fruit. The fruit is smallish. I go out everyday to see if it is ripe but it is still hard, sappy and scratches green. How is the best way to know when it is ripe? I don't want to miss it again as this is a good cultivar even though I don't remember the name. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[aussiearoids]

Betty , you have the right idea .. the scratch test is best . When a scratch shows brown , pick heaps , as they should ripen in about a week . Possums and White-tails loved them and would raid trees nearly every night at Whyanbeel , it was a battle getting any fruit .

[cfkingfish]

The one at Fairchild was planted in 1902 apparently, and still bears fruit, being about 35 feet high and 40 feet across. The umbrellas are good protection when they are in season.

Betty, the type I think you are referring to...it has a proper name like Mr. Simmons or something to that effect.

[pdleft]

Thanks, I guess that I will just keep scratching until I see brown. You are right about the animals getting into them. They can wipe out a whole crop in a couple of days. Every year I miss the fruit because the varmits get it. Yes, Christian, I did get the tree at a Rare Fruit sale and it does have a name but I can't remember it. I do know it was supposed to be excellent.