Mamey Sapote Planting Strategy

[Coconut Cream]

I'm a recent convert to Mamey Sapote. I first tasted it about 2 years ago and I'm finally about to put some trees in the ground. I chose 3 "dwarf" varieties to plant: Pumpkin Pie, Jamaica and Excalibur. I also have a green sapote to plant alongside them.

Would it be smarter to plant one full size tree and then just multi-graft it so that I can get fruit close to year round? Which variety would make the best primary tree for multi-grafting? I was thinking maybe Pace since it's supposed to fruit younger. Or maybe I could do both strategies in parallel and pick the winner down the road.

I'm also a bit further north than some of y'all which has me slightly concerned. I think the weather in Port St. Lucie is very comparable to Dade/Broward counties but I guess we will see how the trees do.

Any general advice would be helpful in terms of optimal planting conditions and choosing complementary varieties.

[tropical_rag_g-fruitforum]

From what Julian said in a video, Mamey grafts are harder to take and is difficult to topwork.

I had my first Mamey this year, and am a convert as well. I grew up eating and liking Sapodilla, but Mamey are just on a different level.

[tropical_rag_g-fruitforum]

What is the season of Pumpkin pie and Excalibur Mamey?

 I know Jamica is winter. I am looking for a replacement for Pace which is Spring.

[JR561]

What is the season of Pumpkin pie and Excalibur Mamey?

 I know Jamica is winter. I am looking for a replacement for Pace which is Spring.

Excalibur is in the fall/winter
Pumpkin pie is May/June

[Coconut Cream]

I just planted 3 gallon Pumpkin Pie and Excalibur varieties. I squeezed them in a little closer to the house than I would like, but I'm trying to fit a lot of trees and they are supposed to be dwarf. I hope it doesn't turn out to be a mistake a few years down the road. I plan to put the larger mamey cultivars further away from the house. All of them are going in the "high & dry" area that I have. Full sun and the hottest temps on my property.

I've got a 1 gallon Tazumal and a 3 gallon Jamaica still waiting to get planted. The Jamaica has finally perked up after letting it dry out almost completely. It's under partial cover on the front porch, out of the rain getting angled morning sunlight.

I also ordered the G1 and G3 plants which won't be here until spring.

I went searching for info on the Tazumal variety and found very little information anywhere. Does anyone here have thoughts on the flavor and growth habit?

[JR561]

Did excalibur say its variety is a dwarf?

When I asked they said no.

[Coconut Cream]

Did excalibur say its variety is a dwarf?

It says dwarf on the tag, but that's no guarantee. I was actually at Xain's yesterday and he didn't have any Excalibur.

[JR561]

Thanks so much.

Im guessing it is cause mine glows silly slow.

[Coconut Cream]

My Tazumal Mamey Sapote recently arrived from Lara Farms. The plant looks very healthy, the graft is well-healed, and the size was impressive for a 1 gallon. Roots were coming out the bottom of the pot, so I up-potted it to 3 gallon right away with some sandy potting mix that drains well. It was on the verge of getting pot-bound but I'd rather have one like this that is better established.

Now it will wait in the bullpen (dry-ish conditions) until at least springtime while I try to figure out what additional varieties of Mamey to plant in ground and which ones to keep in pots and grow for budwood and attempt a cocktail Mamey tree. I still have a few "high and dry" spots in the backyard that should be ideal for Mamey. Because they are so slow growing and take so long to fruit, I will definitely be surrounding them with companion plants/trees so I can get production during the long wait.

I was shocked at how little information exists on Tazumal variety. Xain told me that it differs from other mamey cultivars and may even be a distinct species, my brain didn't really process what he was saying. Apparently the flavor is very good but there may be issues with uneven ripening. I asked around and nobody I know is growing Tazumal. It fruits at the same time as Jamaica which may render it redundant in some people's eyes, or you might say it's one of the rare winter time mameys. This is a fruit I would rather eat in autumn and winter than in summer during mango season. Mamey feels like "cold weather" comfort food.