Sapodilla 'Silas Wood' (Manilkara zapota)
For a surefire way to grow the Alano Sapodilla fruit you know and love in a convenient container size, look to Silas Wood Sapodilla!
This semi-dwarf, tropical evergreen fruit tree has a great overlap with other varieties of Manilkara zapota. The Silas Wood Sapodilla, whether grown by graft or air-layer, fruits as quick as just 1-2 years, and is one of the smallest reliably fruiting tropical fruit trees. In truly tropical climates, Silas Wood Sapodilla has the potential to produce fruit year-round.
This Sapodilla variety is suitable for container growing. Fruit can be plentiful, even for young trees, and may need to be supported in earlier years. Silas Wood Sapodilla fruit is spherical, ranging 2 to 4 inches in diameter, with an unassuming pear-like caramel brown skin. When the fruit is ripe, Alano Sapodilla ranks among some of the most luxurious flavors and aromas - somewhere between a tender pear infused with brown sugar with an effervescent hint of jasmine.
The Sapodilla is thought to have originated in the Central American rain forests, probably in Mexico and Belize. Today, its cultivation has spread all over the tropical belt and grown as a major commercial crop in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Sapoilla's are related to Mamey Sapote, Star Apple, and Canistel and are known by many names around the world including Mispel, Zapote, Dilly, Chico, Chico sapote, Zapote chico, Zapotillo, Chicle, Sapodilla plum, and Naseberry, among countless others.
Plant Type:
Tropical / Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Fall, Spring, Winter
Mature Size:
On average, Sapodilla trees will reach mature heights and equal canopy widths of anywhere from 15-50 feet, depending on growing conditions. Sapodilla trees will produce fruit in containers.
Soil & Moisture:
Sapodilla fruit trees are really adaptable in terms of soil conditions and will thrive in many types of soil, from poor loose sandy soil to deep, rich organic soil, as well as light clay, or gravel. Regardless of soil type, fostering good drainage is for your Sapodilla tree is essential. Sapodilla's don't like wet feet! Increase watering during flowering and fruiting season.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 (frost protection until established); Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Sapodilla's prefer warm locales but are also slightly frost tolerant, highly wind tolerant and can take salt spray. Frost protection is necessary when young, but established Sapodilla trees may be cold tolerant down to 28 degrees.
Propagation:
Our Sapodilla fruit tree varieties are mainly grown from graft, but may also sometimes be air-layered.
Large Pot Size: Established with more healthy growth and capable to produce within 2 or 3 years.
X-Large Pot Size: Most established, mature plant with full foliage, closest to fruiting size and capable to produce within 1 or 2 years.
See More:
Sow Exotic has several types and sizes of Sapodilla fruit trees. Shop All Sapodilla Varieties.
Sapodilla is known by many names around the world including Mispel, Zapote, Dilly, Chico, Chico sapote, Zapote chico, Zapotillo, Chicle, Sapodilla plum, and Naseberry, among countless others.
