Sapota (Grafted) - Long Banana Variety

About Sapota - Long/Banana Variety

This is a newer variety of Sapodilla (Sapota/Chikoo, family Sapotaceae), also known as sapote, naseberry, nispero or chicle. It grows rapidly, reaching up to 15 m with irregular branches and brownish-grey bark in the wild, but stays manageable in a large pot. The 'Long/Banana' name refers to its distinctive elongated, oval fruit shape - it is not a banana plant. This variety flowers through the year, yields fruit twice a year, and has red, sweet, malty-flavoured flesh that is notably heavier than regular chikoo.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Direct sunlight; grows well in pots or direct soil.
• Soil: pH 5.5-6.5; support young plants with a bamboo stake at planting, and keep the bud joint above ground level.
• Climate: Tropical and subtropical humid regions, 10°C-30°C.

Planting & Spacing

Suits a 20-inch pot, making it a good choice for a garden terrace or sunny balcony.

Care

• Watering: Requires consistent watering - both over- and under-watering can cause blossom and fruit drop, or even plant death. Check the top 2 inches of soil for dryness, watering more often in hot, windy weather.
• Fertilizer: Organic fertilizer every 3 months, plus micronutrients (zinc, copper, manganese, iron, boron, molybdenum) via foliar spray; organic mulch around the base improves fruit quality and retains moisture.
• Pruning: Never prune during monsoon or wet weather.

Fruiting & Harvest

Flowering occurs throughout the year with two fruiting cycles annually; fruiting typically starts 1.5-2 years after planting.

Note: This listing ships a young nursery plant, not a fruiting tree. Time to first fruit and yield vary by climate, care, and region - we don't promise a fixed timeline.