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About this seed
Chikoo, or sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), is a tropical evergreen fruit tree with brown, caramel-sweet fruit. It needs frost-free warmth (20–35 °C). Packets hold 5 or 10 seeds.
Also known as: Sapodilla, Naseberry, Chiku (Hindi), Sapota (Marathi, Tamil), Chicozapote and Níspero (Mexican Spanish), Sapoti (Portuguese, Brazil), Ciku (Malay), Lamut (Thai), Hồng xiêm (Vietnamese).
Sowing
- Soak the seed in water for 24 hours.
- Sow 2–3 cm deep in rich soil and keep it consistently moist.
- Germination typically takes 3–5 weeks in warm conditions.
Climate and site
The tree grows in tropical and subtropical climates between about 20 and 35 °C and must be protected from frost and hard cold. It prefers full sun and tolerates partial shade. Use well-drained sandy or loamy soil at pH 6.0–8.0; it tolerates poorer soil but grows better with organic matter.
The tree and its fruit
A medium to large evergreen, usually 10–20 m tall, with a dense rounded crown of glossy dark green leaves and small white bell-shaped flowers. The fruit is round to oval with rough brown skin and soft, grainy, sweet flesh. Each fruit holds 1–10 glossy black seeds, which are not eaten. The tree's sap was the original source of chicle for chewing gum.
Early care
Water regularly for the first 2–3 years; mature trees are drought-tolerant. Prune once a year to shape the tree and remove dead or weak branches.
What you get
A packet of 5 or 10 chikoo seeds, depending on the option you choose. We do not state a germination percentage for this lot.
FAQ
Can chikoo take frost?
No. It needs protection from frost and extreme cold.
How deep should I sow?
2–3 cm deep, after a 24-hour soak.