Casimiroa edulis
Grafted ‘Lemon Gold’
From the citrus family; interestingly, unrelated to the Black Sapote.
This fruit changes from green to light yellow when ripe. The fruit contains large seeds when pollinated which is a good thing as they contain toxins which should not be eaten.
Flesh a custard like texture. Flavour from mild to banana-like to peach to pear to vanilla.
Generally eaten fresh, but also used in desserts, smoothies or milkshakes, or infused for a calming tea.
Only eat when perfectly ripe and very soft.
Very high in sugars and low in acids.
Native to Mexico, and Central America south to Costa Rica.
Name linked to Mexico’s war of Independence.
Tree maintenance
Pruning - when young, encourage branching by removing flowers and pinching out the terminal bud (the topmost bud). Remove branches that are poorly attached (either too narrow or horizontal). Prune for 2 years and then leave to grow. Once more mature take the top off if too tall - the top branches can shade out the lower branches and it is these branches that we want to bear fruit and are easier to reach and manage.
Feed with an organic citrus fertiliser in spring and autumn.
The tree is drought tolerant but will produce better fruit with regular and deep watering during very prolonged dry periods.
Mulch - spread to 1.2–1.5 m diameter around the tree, leaving a space between the tree and the mulch.
Protect new fruit by bagging.
Grafted ‘Lemon Gold’
From the citrus family; interestingly, unrelated to the Black Sapote.
This fruit changes from green to light yellow when ripe. The fruit contains large seeds when pollinated which is a good thing as they contain toxins which should not be eaten.
Flesh a custard like texture. Flavour from mild to banana-like to peach to pear to vanilla.
Generally eaten fresh, but also used in desserts, smoothies or milkshakes, or infused for a calming tea.
Only eat when perfectly ripe and very soft.
Very high in sugars and low in acids.
Native to Mexico, and Central America south to Costa Rica.
Name linked to Mexico’s war of Independence.
Tree maintenance
Pruning - when young, encourage branching by removing flowers and pinching out the terminal bud (the topmost bud). Remove branches that are poorly attached (either too narrow or horizontal). Prune for 2 years and then leave to grow. Once more mature take the top off if too tall - the top branches can shade out the lower branches and it is these branches that we want to bear fruit and are easier to reach and manage.
Feed with an organic citrus fertiliser in spring and autumn.
The tree is drought tolerant but will produce better fruit with regular and deep watering during very prolonged dry periods.
Mulch - spread to 1.2–1.5 m diameter around the tree, leaving a space between the tree and the mulch.
Protect new fruit by bagging.
August 2022
