How to grow chikoo at home

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Chikoo or sapota is a fruit tree that is native to Mexico and tropical countries of South America. Native plants grow up to 30 m tall and 1.5m in diameter whereas dwarf varieties can grow up to 3 feet tall. It is rich in vitamins A, and C, folate, antioxidants, potassium, copper and iron. Sapotas can be grown from seeds or grafting. It produces fruits that are yellowish-brown in colour. Here is how to grow chikoo in your home.

Growing conditions for chikoo

Light

These fruit plants need full sunlight to grow well. Make sure they are planted in a location that gets 8 hours of sunlight every day.

Soil

Chikoo requires fertile sandy loam soil to grow well. The soil pH should be 6.0 to 8.0. These fruit trees do not tolerate waterlogged soil.

Water

Water the soil regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering as it can result in root rot.

Fertilize

Chikoos grown directly in the soil must be fertilised 3 times a year, whereas chikoos grown in containers can be fertilised once in 2 months. You can use compost or any organic fertilizer for your plants.

Temperature

Chikoo plants grow best when temperatures are between 10 to 36°C. Although they can tolerate low temperatures up to -2°C exposing them to extreme cold can harm them.

How to grow chikoo from seeds

Take a few seeds and sow them in the container. Your seeds will germinate within 2 to 4 weeks. Once they have grown 8 to 10 inches tall you can transplant them to the soil or in containers. Soil should be amended with compost or aged manure before the sapling is planted. If you are growing chikoo in containers, make sure the container is 24 inches deep and wide. Chikoo grown from seeds takes about 7 years to mature and produce fruit.

Propagating from cuttings

Chikoo grows from cuttings and takes about 3 to 5 years to mature and produce fruit. Take a few healthy stem cuttings. Remove the bottom leaves, and dip the cutting in a rooting hormone. Next, insert the cuttings Into a small pot and keep it in the shade. You will start to see the roots growing within 3 weeks.