MANILKARA ZAPOTA

Family of Sapotaceae

 

 

 

NOMENCLATURE AND MEANING: Sapoti or sapota, origin of the indigenous language Nahuatl of Mexico, pronunced Tzápotl which means milk or gum  in mind that latex tree be used to make chewing  gum.

 

Origin: Tropical forest from Amazonia, Nordeastern Atlantic Rainforest and tropical forests from Central America to Mexico. More details in the Portuguese language under the link: http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2012/index?mode=sv&group=Root_.Angiospermas_&family=Root_.Angiospermas_.Sapotaceae_JUS&genus=Manilkara&species=&author=&common=&occurs=1&region=&state=&phyto=&endemic=&origin=&vegetation=&last_level=subspecies&listopt=1

 

Characteristics: Tree of large evergreen foliage with compact branches and crown. Grows up to 23 feet (8 meters) high, with rounded crown of up to 17 feet (5 meters) in diameter, pink flowers, the stem bark is grey and excudes white when latex was injured. The flowers and fruits look like they were sprinkled with coarse sand.

 

Culture tips: Tropical plant, most highly adapted to subtropical climates. The youngest shoots suffer already by frosts of 28°F (-2°C), but it resprouts very easily. Adapts to every altitude and soil, but it is necessary to enrich the soil by enough organic matter and mulch as the mature plant will bear fruits in the most time of the year.

 

Propagation: Fresh seeds germinate in 30 to 60 days, the seedlings reach the size of 20 to 30 cm after 7 to 8 months. The trees begin to fruit in the age of 7 to years. If grafted, they will fruit in the age of 3 years, but they hardly adapt to subtropical conditions more and are of the tropical climate. A seedling grows slowly.

 

Planting: Can be planted in full sun, but the soil must be fertilized well akaline (pH 6,6). The space requirement  is 20 x 20 feet (6 x 6 meters) in the subtropics and 27 x 33 feet (8 x 10 meters) in the tropics. In the first 3 months irrigate with 20 liters of water, later only if it does not rain since 30 days.

 

Culture: To benefit the developement, the badly grown branches and such which are forming in the crown should be removed. The ideal is one crown in the form of one vase, so that the sun can reach all of the branches. Fertilize with compost, can be (8 liters) poultry litter + 50 g of NPD 10-10-10, double amount every year until the 4th year. Distribute nutrients to 2 inches (5 cm) deep in circles spaced at 20 inches (50 cm) from the trunk.

 

Use: The fruits are consumed in natura, in the form of fresh, chilled fruit juice with milk and ice cream. The tree is ornamental.

 

 

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