Pre Planting and Care of Sapota Tree

Sapota Plant care is not difficult but does require vigilance. The sapota vines need to be trained early when they are young. You may use sapota plant ties or just weave them through trellis sections. Fertilize the Chikoo plant in spring just before new growth appears. Pinch off the tips of the vines in the second year to promote branching which will fill the trellis with bushy growth of plant.

Suitable soil for Sapota plantation:

Sapota fruit can be grown in a variety of soils but sandy loam, deep alluvium, and well-drained medium black soils with pH 6.0-8.0 are ideal for sapota farming. However, shallow clay soils underlaid with hardpan or high calcium contents does not support Chikoo tree planting.

Climates required for growing the Chikoo tree planting 

Sapota is a tropical fruit, which likes warm and humid about >70% RH climate. Sapota grows well up to an altitude of 1, 000m however, coastal climate is ideal for sapota tree plantation. Temperature range of 10-38°C and annual rainfall between 1250-2500 mm is suitable for Chikoo tree planting where it flowers and fruits throughout the year. Temperatures exceeding 43°C lead to flower drop resulting in a poor crop.

Land preparation methods for Sapota plantation:

The land is ploughed two to three times and then leveled. Undulating land is divided into terraces and leveling is done. Tall and thick growing trees mango, tamarind, Jamun, silver oa, and casuarinas are established on the windward side or on all sides of the orchard. The sapota plants for windbreak may be planted at a distance of 1.5 to 1.8 m. in a row.