Lucuma in zone 9b

[Santa Maria 9b]

About to plant out a Lucuma seedling, and I have a few questions:

Do I plant it in a mound like avocado or on level ground?

Does it need to be in a cold protected location or is it hardy to California zone 9b?

[SouthBayHapaJoe]

I kept my two lucuma seedlings out all winter in California 9b and it was the only Pouteria to NOT defoliate. From its natural habitat in Peru it does seem to tolerate the cold. I would plant like any normal fruit tree.

[ScottR]

Nick, you should be able to plant outside with no problems when we used to get down to mid twentys for duration of hours then they needed protection from cold. But thankfully we haven't been that cold for years.