The good news is you can as the black sapote is such a tree providing you with creamy and luscious fruit. The best part is it tastes divine in a fruit loaf. So, where can you get your hands on these fruit trees? If you stay a bit longer, we share our secret to finding such a tree. But for now, we want to help you first to take care of the black sapote tree.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Diospyros nigra, the black sapote, is a species of persimmon. Common names include chocolate pudding fruit, black soapapple and (in Spanish) zapote prieto. The tropical fruit tree is native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. The common name sapote refers to any soft, edible fruit. Black sapote is not related to white sapote nor mamey sapote. The genus Diospyros has numerous other fruit bearing tree species in addition to the persimmons and black sapote.
Mature trees can grow to over 25 m (82 ft) in height and are evergreen. It is frost sensitive but can tolerate light frosts. The leaves are elliptic-oblong, tapered at both ends, dark green, glossy and 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) long. Some trees bear only male flowers. Others have both male and female flowers, though some of these are self-incompatible. Fruiting takes about 3–4 years from seed and the trees are heavy bearers.
Black sapote fruit are tomato-like and measure 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) in diameter, with an inedible skin that turns from olive to a deep yellow-green when ripe and a pulp which is white and inedible when unripe but assumes a flavor, color and texture often likened to chocolate pudding when ripe. Fruits usually contain seeds, up to a maximum of 12. The texture has been likened to that of a papaya. The ripe fruit may have “the taste and consistency of chocolate pudding.”
Unripe fruits are astringent, caustic, bitter, irritating, and have been used as fish poison in the Philippines.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Tree care for the chocolate persimmon needs full sun away from buildings and trees. So for outdoor plant your smaller tree at least 30 feet away from anything causing shade.
When grown indoors or on the patio, it still needs to get full sun when possible. The best is a west-facing window that is sunny.
If you have black sapote seedling trees, it demands less light but needs to transition to sufficient light within weeks of sprouting.
Temperature
Most of the plants in the Diospyros genus grow happily with the ideal temperature for growth being 13 to 19 ℃. During dormancy, the plant can tolerate the cold, withstanding a temperature of -14 ℃ for a short period of time. When the winter temperature drops below -15 ℃ to -20 ℃ , the tops of the branches will be susceptible to frost damage, and the whole plant could even freeze to death.
The plants prefer a humid climate and can be cultivated in areas with an annual precipitation of 40 to 150 cm. The root system of black sapote is large and widely distributed, with a strong capacity for water absorption and a relatively high tolerance for drought. Attention should be paid to drainage during the rainy season, and irrigation should be carried out during dry spells in the summer and fall.
Watering
When planting your fruit tree, it needs watering every other day for the first week. Then you can change your water schedule to two times a week for a couple of months.
If you have prolonged dry periods, newly planted and young trees need watering once a week for the first three years. When the rainy season arrives, you can reduce watering or stop altogether.
As the tree matures, watering becomes beneficial in prolonged dry periods for growth and fruit production. Still, if you have mature trees, they do not need frequent watering, as overwatering causes the fruit trees to decay.
But if you have a potted black sapote, it needs watering at least twice a week.
Soil
Deep sandy soil, loam, or low-lying land with good drainage is ideal for growing black sapote. Flat terrain is also preferred, as is a soil pH of 6.5-7.5 with medium fertility.
Fertilizing
For optimal growth and fruiting, black sapote benefits from balanced nutrition fertilizers like 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 blends applied biannually, with increased frequencies during active growth periods. High nitrogen fertilizers can enhance vegetative growth when applied in early spring. Use 2-4 ounces per young tree, scaling up for mature trees. Over-fertilization risks leaf burn; under-fertilization stifles growth. Seasonal adjustments ensure black sapote meets developmental needs without nutrient waste. Careful application near the drip line, avoiding direct contact with the trunk, ensures proper root uptake and plant health.
Planting Instructions
Early spring is the ideal planting time for black sapote. In the fall, collect mature fruits that are pure, well-developed, and have no pests and diseases. Remove their flesh and impurities, and then wash and dry the seeds. The following spring, store the seeds in a dry environment or in sand (stratification) before planting. Once the seeds are completely dry, place them in wooden boxes or cloth bags, and store in a cool, ventilated and dry environment. Seeds that are stored in sand should be kept at temperatures of 3 to 9 ℃ for 60-90 days.
Sowing should be carried out when the temperature of the soil reaches 8 to 10 ℃. Before sowing, seeds that have been stored in a dry environment should be soaked in warm water (about 65 ℃) for 5 minutes, and stirred thoroughly. Then, the seeds should be soaked in clean water until they have fully swollen. Seeds that have been stored in sand can be sown directly. Row spacing should be 30 cm, with a depth of 2 to 3 cm. After covering with soil, flatten the soil slightly and layer on a mulch.
Transplant seedlings after they have grown 5 leaves. The length, width, and depth of the planting holes should not be less than 80 cm. Thoroughly mix the soil with an organic fertilizer, and then apply this to each hole. Then, fill a portion of the hole with soil and plant the seedlings after irrigating. When transplanting, ensure that the root system is fully stretched, and the seedlings are upright. After transplanting, compact the soil slightly, water it, and then seal and cover the holes with a plastic film. The roots of the seedlings should be level with the ground.
Pruning
Pruning is best carried out in the late winter, when the plant is still dormant, but additional pruning may also be needed during the growing season. When pruning in the winter, focus on thinning out branches, keeping fruit-producing limbs evenly spaced out. Remove dead branches, as well as those growing at improper angles, and cut off any suckers too. This is also the time to cut back tall branches to make fruit-harvesting easier – any new shoots will grow below where the branch was cut. Additional pruning will depend on the shape and style of tree you are going for.
A central leader system is the most common way to train black sapote. Choose a healthy shoot at the center of the tree, and then remove any others that grow near it. In the winter, cut your central leader back by a third, and tie back any competing branches.
A trellis encourages productive growth, with shoots trained over frames to help support the weight of the fruit. Pruning each branch isn’t necessary when using a trellis, but you will need to bend branches in the direction you want them to grow.
Propagation
You can propagate your black sapote trees using the seed to air-layer, bud, or graft. Still, as this tree does not come true from seeds, the best option is seedling trees. The black sapote can take up to six years before it flowers.
Another concern is that these fruit trees with only male flowers do not produce any fruit. Yet trees with both female and male flowers can bear fruit. So the best method to use is grafting or budding.
III. Uses and Benefits
The fruit tree is trouble-free, but you can find some pests from mealybugs, whitefly, and aphids to scale on them. The best is to identify your infestation to treat them using a non-toxic option.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Your tree can take up to five years before it produces fruit. Then, when it is time to harvest, the fruit skins turn green to a dull yet muddy green. Leave the fruit after picking for up to 14 days to soften, making it edible.
