White Sapote (photo courtesy Fruitopia Nursery, Brisbane - fruitopianursery.com.au)
White Sapote (Multi-Grafted)
Casimiroa edulis & Casimiroa tetrameria
Rutaceae family
Multi grafted with the following varieties: ‘Chris’, ‘Kampong’, ‘Sue Belle', 'Vista' and an unknown variety.
This tree showcases the fascinating world of grafting. Currently the tree has five different varieties of White Sapote (see if you can spot all of the graft unions). This improves cross-pollination, which is very important for fruit-set in White Sapotes. It also can stretch the productive season as some varieties fruit sooner and others later in the season. This tree usually has a summer and winter crop.
The White Sapote is a relatively cold-hardy fruit tree and will thrive in most subtropical and temperate environments.
The fruit contains large seeds which should not be eaten as they contain toxins. Only eat the fruit when perfectly ripe and very soft. The flesh has a custard-like texture. Flavour varies from mild to banana-like to peach to pear to vanilla. Generally eaten fresh, but also used in desserts, smoothies or milkshakes. Very high in sugars and low in acids.
Notice that some of the grafted varieties, such as 'Chris' have a furry feel to the leaves - this indicates C. tetrameria genes.
The White Sapote is unrelated to the Black Sapote (also grown at LCG), and is in fact from the same plant family as citrus trees.
Tree Provenance
Grant Jenkins obtained the scion wood (small branch/twig from a mature tree) from a number of rare fruit tree collectors including Dane Kolka and Gordon Tate, and grafted them onto seedling rootstock.
Tree Maintenance
Pruning
Casimiroa edulis & Casimiroa tetrameria
Rutaceae family
Multi grafted with the following varieties: ‘Chris’, ‘Kampong’, ‘Sue Belle', 'Vista' and an unknown variety.
This tree showcases the fascinating world of grafting. Currently the tree has five different varieties of White Sapote (see if you can spot all of the graft unions). This improves cross-pollination, which is very important for fruit-set in White Sapotes. It also can stretch the productive season as some varieties fruit sooner and others later in the season. This tree usually has a summer and winter crop.
The White Sapote is a relatively cold-hardy fruit tree and will thrive in most subtropical and temperate environments.
The fruit contains large seeds which should not be eaten as they contain toxins. Only eat the fruit when perfectly ripe and very soft. The flesh has a custard-like texture. Flavour varies from mild to banana-like to peach to pear to vanilla. Generally eaten fresh, but also used in desserts, smoothies or milkshakes. Very high in sugars and low in acids.
Notice that some of the grafted varieties, such as 'Chris' have a furry feel to the leaves - this indicates C. tetrameria genes.
The White Sapote is unrelated to the Black Sapote (also grown at LCG), and is in fact from the same plant family as citrus trees.
Tree Provenance
Grant Jenkins obtained the scion wood (small branch/twig from a mature tree) from a number of rare fruit tree collectors including Dane Kolka and Gordon Tate, and grafted them onto seedling rootstock.
Tree Maintenance
Pruning
- *Take care to locate the graft points before commencing any pruning.*
- Prune immediately after harvest.
- Once the tree is mature take the top off to maintain picking height - 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.
- The tree is drought tolerant but will produce better fruit with regular and deep watering during very prolonged dry periods.
- Spring: liquid seaweed, compost around drip line, poultry manure.
- Summer: sulphate of potash, worm wee (10:1).
- Autumn: compost around drip line.
- Winter: sulphate of potash.
- Keep soil well mulched, leaving a gap around the trunk to avoid collar rot.
- Fruit fly netting (bags or tree net) after fruit set.
Multi-grafted White Sapote at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Multi-grafted White Sapote at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
