‘Tikal’ sapodilla cultivar

[LEOOEL]

My 2 ‘Tikal’ sapodilla trees, which are ~10 years old, are for the first time starting to produce abundant large and monster sized fruit! This has been totally unexpected.

“Is that a mamey fruit?” is a question that I’ve been frequently getting lately.

A quick true story of how my 2 ‘Tikal’ sapodillas got to this present point in time:

I originally got the 2 ’Tikal’ cultivars because it’s a super productive variety.
And, the tree always looks like it has a lot of fruit on it;
this is not a boring tree from a production perspective.
For the first ~10 years, the fruit size was pretty much consistent,
mostly oblong and measuring ~2 X ~2.5 inches.

During those first ~10 years, mainly 2 things of importance happened (IMO).
1 of 2
Every now & then, I’d have to cut back some large branches;
because they were either getting too close to the residence or to another (avocado) fruit tree.
2 of 2
Both ‘Tikals’ are ~30 feet apart (with a carambola fruit tree between them).
Another ~30 feet away and on the same directional path,
there is a ~7 year old ‘Hasya’ sapodilla tree (w/ an avocado & lemon-‘chivo’ trees between them).

My Conclusion
The reason why both ‘Tikal’ trees have unprecedentedly begun to produce abundant numbers of large to monster size fruits is because of the
(1) Pruning of nuisance large (even though productive) branches, and
(2) Cross pollination between the 2 ‘Tikal’ and the 1 ‘Hasya’ trees
(where more than 1 variety can lead to larger fruit production).

[brian]

I have a Tikal also,in a ~3gal container that has its first fruit growing, grape size now.  It has been flowering for a year or more, I was worried about lack of cross-pollination but it is good to hear it is known as a productive variety.

I don't actually like sapodilla much, it is painfully sweet, but for some reason I couldn't resist growing them and hoping I learn to like the fruit more.

[Amel]

Good to know

Thank you! Tikal is on my list, as I currently have an Alano and Butterscotch, feels like Tikal is a good mix

[Jaboticaba45]

Is this one a gritty sap?
I like the gritty ones as there is more complexity.

[Coconut Cream]

I will be posting a Sapodilla tasting review of a few different varieties, including Tikal.

Tikal was my least favorite variety, for a couple of reasons. The texture was softer and more watery when ripe. The flavor was also the least complex with very little spice. It tastes sweet, but not exciting or very flavorful. Tikal lacks the caramel, vanilla, honey, cinnamon and other tropical notes you get from better tasting varieties.

It's not one I would grow. Moreno, Hasya, Silas Wood, Alano and Molix are all superior.

[mikesid]

I will be posting a Sapodilla tasting review of a few different varieties, including Tikal.

Tikal was my least favorite variety, for a couple of reasons. The texture was softer and more watery when ripe. The flavor was also the least complex with very little spice. It tastes sweet, but not exciting or very flavorful. Tikal lacks the caramel, vanilla, honey, cinnamon and other tropical notes you get from better tasting varieties.

It's not one I would grow. Moreno, Hasya, Silas Wood, Alano and Molix are all superior.

If you havent tried Excalibur I think it ranks right next to Butterscotch. More of a complex flavor with notes of caramel.

[LEOOEL]

Is this one a gritty sap?
I like the gritty ones as there is more complexity.

My experience with the 2 ‘Tikal’ trees has been: no grit.

To be totally honest, during the first 10 years, I loved the quality, texture and taste.
But, during that time, I kinda despised that the average fruit size was on the smaller side:
~2 inches by ~2.5 inches.
But not any more, now I love both those trees.

Important NOTE:

The 2 monster sized ‘Tikal’ sapodillas in the photo,
are from the ‘Tikal’ tree (I have 2) that is closest (at ~30 feet) to the ‘Hasya’ sapodilla tree.

The ‘Tikal’ tree that is further away (at ~60 feet) from the ‘Hasya’,
the fruit size is now (only) medium to large size.

Conclusion:
Maybe, pollination with the ‘Hasya’ is what increased the size of both ‘Tikal’ trees fruits.

Second NOTE:
The 'Hasya’ sapodilla cultivar needs to be pollinated by another sapodilla variety in order to produce fruit.
During the first ~7 years, the ‘Hasya’ consistently produced large but few fruits.
My ‘Hasya’ is now, for the first time ever, producing tons of larger than ever fruits.

From my experience, the combination of having a ‘Tikal’ and ‘Hasya’ sapodilla varieties near each other is a real winner.

[Coconut Cream]

If you havent tried Excalibur I think it ranks right next to Butterscotch. More of a complex flavor with notes of caramel.

I'm growing Butterscotch but haven't tasted it. Also have in the ground now Thomas, Alano, Silas Wood and Moreno. I wonder if Excalibur is still producing the Excalibur variety? The last few times I've been there it looks like they've given up. It's a graveyard of 25 and 45 gallon pots rooted into the ground with very few small trees available. Everything I asked about was out of stock, and the trees I bought were heavily discounted because they were pot bound.

[Amel]

I will be posting a Sapodilla tasting review of a few different varieties, including Tikal.

Tikal was my least favorite variety, for a couple of reasons. The texture was softer and more watery when ripe. The flavor was also the least complex with very little spice. It tastes sweet, but not exciting or very flavorful. Tikal lacks the caramel, vanilla, honey, cinnamon and other tropical notes you get from better tasting varieties.

It's not one I would grow. Moreno, Hasya, Silas Wood, Alano and Molix are all superior.

Thanks for all the taste tests you do, its very helpful.

[Artocarpus]

If you are looking for Excalibur, Echo in Ft Myers carries that cultivar. I bought one last year from them.

[Coconut Cream]

From my experience, the combination of having a ‘Tikal’ and ‘Hasya’ sapodilla varieties near each other is a real winner.

I think even as a general rule of thumb, planting fruit trees in pairs (different cultivars) makes a lot of sense. Some species may not require that for pollination but it certainly won't have negative effects. Then you have two cultivars of the same type of tree within about 20 feet and if you lose one tree there's a backup tree already in the ground, plus the cross-pollination benefits and observing them in slightly different microclimates.

[Mike T]

When tested in Australia with around 25 other varieties it performed better than most. It was not as productive as elite types like krasuey but has a good taste. it almost made the final cut of the top 3 or 4 recommended as commercial varieties.

[pineflatwoods]

I looked for Hasya extensively last year and couldn't find one, I settled on a Morena. I passed on a Tikal because I didn't know much about it. I wish it was easier to deal with the USDA. I would love to import more varieties from Asia and Australia.

[Coconut Cream]

Hasya has truly excellent eating quality, lots of spice and large fruit. I have heard some people have production issues with their trees. Incredible Edible Landscapes in Loxahatchee has Hasya in stock now.