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Other Names: Mamey, Sapote grande, Mamey colorado
Related To:
[Sapotaceae] Canistel, Abiu, Sapodilla
Main Uses:
Fruit
Growth Rate:
Slow to moderate.
Mature Height/Spread:
In the central American tropics, it can reach 65.'
Flowering/Pollination:
Small round, borne in clusters cauliflorously.
Tolerance:
Moderately resistant to wind. Will not withstand hurricane force winds.
Soil/Nutrition:
Widely tolerant, except for calcerous, marl type, or alkaline soils. Fertilize in late spring, when a new growth flush begins to appear with a 9-3-7 if desired. Do not fertilize with nitrogen in fall, if growing in south Florida, or any marginal climate zone. This species despises damp or wet soils, so make sure drainage is a priority. Mulch frequently with grass clippings and manure composts.
Light:
Full sun.
Wind:
Fairly wind tolerant.
Temperature:
When young, plants are tender and will be killed by frost. They should be protected until 4 feet in height, with a 2-3" trunk girth.
Dangers:
Seeds are slightly toxic.
Diseases Prone:
Cuban may beetle.
Bearing Age:
10-15 years from a seedling; 4-5 years from graft; about 6-7 feet in height. Tree will flower for a few years prior. Mature trees will produce anywhere from 200-500 fruits per year.
Fruit:
Football-shaped, brown, scurfy fruits are bright red/orange inside, with a sweet flavor reminiscent of sweet potato, perhaps more aptly described by enthusiasts as a mixture of "pumpkin pie and cherry." Some cultivars offer tones of almond and apricot. The texture of the flesh can be dryish, but in good fruit is it moist and smooth similar to an avocado.
Ripeness is ascertained by scratching it's skin with a fingernail near the stem of the fruit to see if the flesh has developed it's coloring.
History/Origin:
This species is native to southern Mexico, but has spread throughout the Tropical Americas and Carribbean. It is the national fruit of Cuba.
Species Observations:
This species is surprisingly easy to grow, and, like it's brother the canistel, does well with occasional compost top-amending and mulching. When it needs water, it's new growth will wilt. This tree lives in a different timescale than we do. It takes two years from flowering to attain a full size, ripe fruit. When the tree goes leafless in spring, the current and following year's crop can be counted.
Propogation:
By seed, marcot (air-layer) three months prior to it's annual defoliation, or by grafting.
Recommended Varieties
"Pantin" or "Key West" (two names; same cultivar) is an excellent selection with an upright habit, moderately sized fruits with a rich flavor. Major yearly crop matures in July and August.
"Magana" bears earlier, and is capable of developing ripe fruit much faster than the norm (about 1 year from bloom). Magana matures it's major yearly crop in March and April.
"Cuban #1" has a gigantic fruit, it's primary virtue, but is not as flavorful as smaller varieties.
Container Culture:
Not suitable for container culture.
Medicinal Uses:
Unknown.
Nutritional Information:
Mamey is a high calorie food.
100 g of Mamey Sapote contains:
134 calories
65.6 percent water
1.7 g of protein
0.4 g of fat
31.1 g of carbohydrates
2 g of fiber
1.2 g of ash
40 mg of calcium
28 mg of phosphorus
1 mg of iron
115 mg of vitamin A
0.01 mg of thiamine
0.02 mg of riboflavin
2 mg of niacin
22 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Preparation / Food:
Mamey is typically eaten fresh, but an excellent milkshake can be made from it. It is commonly added to ice creams.
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"Tree is in fine shape and budding! Packing was exceptional. Thank you so much!"
- Satisfied Customer 1
"WOW, Plant is 10X better than expected. Great condition. Thank you very much."
- Satisfied Customer 2
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