Mamey Sapote looking quite ill

[mcoambassador]

I transplanted a 15g Lorito mamey sapote tree into the ground this winter and it’s slowly been declining, with leaves yellowing and dropping. One branch has lost all its leaves, and no new leaf has formed in months. It’s now in the 80Fs in central Florida, so I was hoping it would be pushing new growth, but instead it seems to be declining at an increasing rate.

Just before transplant it was hit with a massive hail storm which damaged every leaf, so that is why the leaves have holes in them. But there seems to be another issue at work, if anyone can help me diagnose?

[Galatians522]

I gave up on mamey a while back (actually, it gave up on me). Mine got about 6' tall and then just kept dying back from the winter and re-sprouting. It kept getting a few inches shorter every year until it just didn't make it. Maybe someone else has a more hopeful outlook.

[Tropicalgrower89]

During this time of year they shed their old leaves and grow new ones. I wouldn’t worry about it. Don’t under or over water it. Stick your finger in the soil to see if it is moist. I recommend adding some osmocote fertilizer if it hasn’t been recently transplanted.

[mcoambassador]

During this time of year they shed their old leaves and grow new ones. I wouldn’t worry about. Don’t under or over water it. Stick your finger in the soil to see if it is moist. I recommend adding some osmocote fertilizer if it hasn’t been recently transplanted.

That's a relief, @Tropicalgrower89! Based on your avatar I feel you might be a good resource here. :-) I am using Sunniland 6-6-6 for the fertilizer, with some lawn lime for calcium, and just hit it with a bit of chelated iron and epsom. Hopefully it perks up after this mini dormancy period.

And thank you @Galatians522 too. I'm sorry to hear about your mamey. Mine is at a similar stage as yours (6ft) but I'm hoping maybe since I'm one zone up from you this one might do okay. I seem to be in a warmer microclimate too here, between two neighbors' swimming pools and on a slight decline (so cold air rolls down from me).

[Tropicalgrower89]

During this time of year they shed their old leaves and grow new ones. I wouldn’t worry about. Don’t under or over water it. Stick your finger in the soil to see if it is moist. I recommend adding some osmocote fertilizer if it hasn’t been recently transplanted.

That's a relief, @Tropicalgrower89! Based on your avatar I feel you might be a good resource here. :-) I am using Sunniland 6-6-6 for the fertilizer, with some lawn lime for calcium, and just hit it with a bit of chelated iron and epsom. Hopefully it perks up after this mini dormancy period.

And thank you @Galatians522 too. I'm sorry to hear about your mamey. Mine is at a similar stage as yours (6ft) but I'm hoping maybe since I'm one zone up from you this one might do okay. I seem to be in a warmer microclimate too here, between two neighbors' swimming pools and on a slight decline (so cold air rolls down from me).

Glad I can help. :-) Just use a good slow release fertilizer with minor elements. If you want to add calcium, sprinkle a little bit of gypsum (calcium sulfate) not lime since lime can make the soil too alkaline.

[mcoambassador]

During this time of year they shed their old leaves and grow new ones. I wouldn’t worry about. Don’t under or over water it. Stick your finger in the soil to see if it is moist. I recommend adding some osmocote fertilizer if it hasn’t been recently transplanted.

That's a relief, @Tropicalgrower89! Based on your avatar I feel you might be a good resource here. :-) I am using Sunniland 6-6-6 for the fertilizer, with some lawn lime for calcium, and just hit it with a bit of chelated iron and epsom. Hopefully it perks up after this mini dormancy period.

And thank you @Galatians522 too. I'm sorry to hear about your mamey. Mine is at a similar stage as yours (6ft) but I'm hoping maybe since I'm one zone up from you this one might do okay. I seem to be in a warmer microclimate too here, between two neighbors' swimming pools and on a slight decline (so cold air rolls down from me).

Glad I can help. :-) Just use a good slow release fertilizer with minor elements. If you want to add calcium, sprinkle a little bit of gypsum (calcium sulfate) not lime since lime can make the soil too alkaline.

Thanks I appreciate that tip too.

[Tropicalgrower89]

During this time of year they shed their old leaves and grow new ones. I wouldn’t worry about. Don’t under or over water it. Stick your finger in the soil to see if it is moist. I recommend adding some osmocote fertilizer if it hasn’t been recently transplanted.

That's a relief, @Tropicalgrower89! Based on your avatar I feel you might be a good resource here. :-) I am using Sunniland 6-6-6 for the fertilizer, with some lawn lime for calcium, and just hit it with a bit of chelated iron and epsom. Hopefully it perks up after this mini dormancy period.

And thank you @Galatians522 too. I'm sorry to hear about your mamey. Mine is at a similar stage as yours (6ft) but I'm hoping maybe since I'm one zone up from you this one might do okay. I seem to be in a warmer microclimate too here, between two neighbors' swimming pools and on a slight decline (so cold air rolls down from me).

Glad I can help. :-) Just use a good slow release fertilizer with minor elements. If you want to add calcium, sprinkle a little bit of gypsum (calcium sulfate) not lime since lime can make the soil too alkaline.

Thanks I appreciate that tip too.

You’re welcome 🙂👍🏻

[gnappi]

Mine got to 6 foot or so and branches died back, came back and continued this cycle for a few years till it died.

[mcoambassador]

Mine got to 6 foot or so and branches died back, came back and continued this cycle for a few years till it died.

What do you suspect caused the dieback? What time of year would it die back? @gnappi

[Tropicalgrower89]

Mine got to 6 foot or so and branches died back, came back and continued this cycle for a few years till it died.

Sounds like it had root rot issues.

[mcoambassador]

During this time of year they shed their old leaves and grow new ones. I wouldn’t worry about it. Don’t under or over water it. Stick your finger in the soil to see if it is moist. I recommend adding some osmocote fertilizer if it hasn’t been recently transplanted.

It’s yellowing and dropping more each day, but it does look like it could be just dormancy. Fingers crossed.

[TropicalDoc]

I’ve been growing several cultivars of Mamey sapote in the rain forest of east Hawaii. We get 150+ inches of rain per year. The key is drainage, Mamey does not like wet feet. However, it won’t just die suddenly with root rot. It just sort of wastes away, branch by branch, and it will eventually die off completely.  It will keep resprouting for quite awhile, lower and lower on the main stem until ultimately it dies, unless the drainage issue is addressed.  I don’t have winter die off issue where I live, so I’m not entirely sure how that would fit into the equation. But if there’s even a chance that there is compacted soil/drainage issue, it’s good to consider digging it out, amending the soil, and planting on a hill or at least above ground level to see if that helps.

[mcoambassador]

I gave it Epsom salt several days ago, and then a compost tea drench two days ago, and I see today it’s starting to finally push new growth for the first time. So relieved:

[gnappi]

I did not suspect root rot, I looked at the roots and they seemed OK. It died back arbitrarily and no given season, spring back till I finally gave in and chopped the bark off at the base to make sure it died.