This tree is related to citrus and has similar requirements so it is very easy to grow in Phoenix.

Can freeze the fruit and eat it frozen with a spoon.

Does not come true to seed. Must be propagated from cuttings to preserve fruit quality. Decent chance that a seedling will produce good fruit.^[1]

ASU has a white sapote that is huge. There is also one in the Rare Fruit Growers demo garden at the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

Seedlings are sensitive to too much sun and should not get more than 4-6 hours of direct (morning) sun until at least 2 years old.^R

When grown in pots, soil should drain well (similar requirement as citrus) and should be allowed to dry to 20% WBV before watering again.^R

Even within a single cultivar on a single tree, white sapotes vary a lot.^[1]

Propagation

Seedlings are usually very strong, but stunted somewhat by grafting.

Air layers easily.

Cuttings root easily.^[1]

Grafting

In Phoenix graft sometime in Feb right after the last frost. Similar to citrus. White sapotes are easy to graft. Use cleft graft for same size stock/scion. Use off center cleft if scion is a bit smaller. Use bark graft, side graft or budding or if stock is too thick.^R

Cultivars

• Walton
  • “one of the two best varieties I’ve had.”^[1,2]
• @ScottR‘s Rainbow seedling
  • “one of the two best varieties I’ve had.”^[1]
• Suebelle (reference)
• McDill
  • Huge, sweet, and bland. At least it’s a really consistent fruit.^[1]
• Redlands
• Younghans
• Macs Golden
• Vernon^[1]
  • really good, decent sized, and the trees are productive and precocious^[1]
• Mary Lane^[1]

Plant Logs

Links

• Phoenix Tropicals
• CRFG Fruit Facts
• White Sapote Growing in the Home Landscape (has variety list)
• Ventura County Cooperative Extension (has variety list)
• Tom Addison talking about white sapote