A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z
Other Names: Egg Fruit, Yellow Sapote, Zapote Amarillo
Related To:
[Sapotaceae] - Mamey Sapote, Abiu, Sapodilla
Main Uses:
Fruit
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Mature Height/Spread:
To 30' but usually smaller in cultivation.
Flowering/Pollination:
Self-fertile.
Tolerance:
Tolerant of drought. Mild salt tolerance.
Soil/Nutrition:
Widely adaptable. Prefers fertile and very well drained soils. Is not very bothered by dry or deficient sandy soils. Yearly mulching with grass clippings and wood chips is often adequate fertilization for this species.
Light:
Full sun.
Wind:
Moderately tolerant of wind.
Temperature:
Will survive occasional freezes into the mid 20's F once mature. Younger trees should be protected from frost until older.
Dangers:
None.
Diseases Prone:
Trees are strong, and tend to be disease free.
Bearing Age:
6-8 years from seed, grafted trees will bear within 3-4 years.
Fruit:
Species tends to be a prolific bearer in general. Dry flesh in most cultivars; canistel is called called "egg fruit" in English as the texture is like that of hard-boiled egg yolk. Sweet, earthy, similar to a yam or sweet potato. Some varieties have a musky aroma.
History/Origin:
Native to Mexico and Central America, but cultivated and recognized in most parts of the tropical Americas and Caribbean.
Species Observations:
This species is surprisingly easy to grow. It grows at a good pace when given a good bed of mulch and a small dash of 11-2-9 fertilizer, capable of putting on 3-4 flushes in a year.
Propogation:
By seed or graft. Air layers rarely succeed.
Recommended Varieties: Though often propagated by seed, there are a variety of excellent cultivated canistel types available.
"Fairchild" is a smaller fruit, with a rich, creamy flesh.
"Saludo" is a rather large, round fruit, prolific bearer, with moist flesh and excellent flavor.
"Ross" is likely a canistel subspecies, if not a different species altogether. It has a unique habit of fruiting in clusters along branches, and has a squat fruit with a distinctive sweet flavor.
Container Culture:
Possible, but not ideal.
Medicinal Uses:
Unknown.
Nutritional Information:
High in calories. Good source of beta-carotene and B vitamins.
Preparation / Food:
Fruits are sometimes eaten fresh, but are sometimes made into pies. Like the closely related mamey sapote, or the lucuma, this fruit is also popular in blended drinks.
|
