Richard

Here's a question for CRFG'ers like Harveyc, JoeReal, etc. who actually grow White sapotes in Zone 8-ish.

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Taylor

Doppp! Now I sound a fool!

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"When Momcilo Krajisnik, Karadzic's successor, was asked about the chances of restoring a multiethnic unitary Bosnia, he responded with biting sarcasm: "You can't grow bananas here," he said, "bananas may grow in Africa but not here." He was not alone."
-John G. Stoessinger, Why Nations Go To War

Richard

well, that's two of us when it comes to sapotes outside of my zone!

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JoeReal

As far as I have seen them growing, white sapote is almost marginal here, just about the same as citruses, and we are zone 9. My white sapote survived the arctic blast last year with only leaf burns. It got 20 deg F for about 12 hours, and almost a week of below freezing temperature more than 10 hours each night.

I think the cultivar that I have will survive temperature down to 18 deg F.

Here are samples of white sapote:
white sapote - Google Image Search

harveyc

Joe and I are in USDA zone 9 and what Sunset Western Garden Book calls Sunset zone 14 and they rate it for our climate, but not any colder, though I would think it's possible with protection. I've been told by others not far away in zone 9 and they say it will do fine here if it makes it without a harsh winter for the first few years. I'll plant mine outside soon and hope for the best next winter, though I'd probably put up some temporary protection if we end up with some harsh weather.

It seems that some cultivars are ever-bearing in some of the climantes that don't get as warm but I'm wondering if that won't be the case for me.

I think it's a great-tasting fruit and am looking forward to growing it. I now have a dozen or so potted trees.

On bit of trivia: if I recall correctly, I read that the white sapote is the record-holder of producing carbohydrates per square foot. One tree reportedly produced 6,000 pounds of fruit in one year! Last month I visited someone in Fallbrook and they once said they picked 1,500 pounds from a tree and when they were done with that you couldn't tell they had even removed an fruit from the tree. Incredible, IMO.

Cheers,

Harvey

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Richard

What I've read in the USDA reports is that on average the white sapote is tied for 1st place with a legume field crop and something else I've forgotten. It's still an incredible output. The Suebelle cultivar produces less than average and a smaller fruit, while some like the McDill are famous for raining ankle-deep fruit year round in zones 10 and up.

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