🌟 Alano Sapodilla Tree (Manilkara zapota ‘Alano’) – 3 Gallon 🌿🍯

Meet the sapodilla that tastes like brown sugar and cinnamon with a silky, ultra-fine pear texture—‘Alano’ is compact, precocious, and famously reliable. Perfect for Florida and the warm Southeast, it also thrives in large containers for patios and small yards.

---

Why Growers Love ‘Alano’

• Dessert-quality flavor: rich brown sugar + honey + warm spice notes
• Compact habit for easy pruning and container culture
• Long harvest window in Florida—often November through June for extended enjoyment

---

🌿 Quick Facts

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Manilkara zapota ‘Alano’
Plant Type	Evergreen subtropical fruit tree (grafted)
Size at Sale	3-gallon container (shippable; ideal for balance of vigor & size)
Mature Height & Width	12–20 ft tall, 8–12 ft wide (pruned smaller for containers)
USDA Zones	9–11
Sun Requirements	Full sun ☀️
Cold Hardiness	Protect below 30°F (young trees may be damaged at 32°F; mature trees tolerate brief dips to 26°F)
Growth Habit	Compact, slow-to-moderate growth; dense, glossy evergreen foliage
Spacing	10–15 ft apart (25 ft for unpruned trees or near structures)

---

🍐 Fruit Details

• Flavor Profile: A rich blend of brown sugar, honey, pear, and cinnamon – like dessert straight from nature.
• Texture: Ultra-fine, smooth, and spoonable, like a custardy pear.
• Appearance: Egg-shaped to oval with smooth tan-brown skin.
• Size: Medium fruit, typically 8–10 oz each.
• Harvest Season (Florida): November through June; may fruit multiple times yearly in warm regions.
• Production: Reliable, consistent, and heavy producer. Grafted trees fruit within 2–4 years.

---

🌱 Top Benefits & Uses

• Culinary Delight: Scoop fresh, chill, or blend into smoothies and ice cream.
• Nutrient-Rich: High in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins A & C, and natural sugars for quick energy.
• Compact & Ornamental: Glossy evergreen foliage makes it a beautiful landscape centerpiece.
• Container Friendly: Great for patios, small yards, or urban gardens.
• Wildlife Value: Flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
• Cultural History: The latex from sapodilla bark (called chicle) was once used to make natural chewing gum.

---

Best Practices for Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Choose a full sun area with well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogged or low-lying areas; mound plant if necessary.

The GreenDreams “High & Tight” Planting Method

Keep the root crown slightly above soil level and pack soil firmly without planting too deep. Top dress with compost, biochar, and minerals, then apply 2–4 inches of mulch, keeping it away from the trunk base.

🎥 Watch our GreenDreams tree planting guide:

https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI

Watering

Water regularly until established. Once mature, sapodillas are drought-tolerant but appreciate deep watering during flowering and fruiting.

Fertilization

Feed organically 2–3 times a year with compost or slow-release fertilizer. Supplemental foliar sprays improve fruit yield and vigor.

Pruning

Shape the tree while young for strong branching. Keep trees pruned to 12–15 ft for easy harvest and airflow. Remove crossing or dead branches.

Cold Protection

Use frost cloths, or bring container plants under shelter during freezes. Water thoroughly the day before a cold front for added protection.

---

🪴 Container & Indoor Growing Tips

• Use a 15–25 gallon container with excellent drainage.
• Place in full sun, away from cold wind.
• Water deeply but infrequently; let the top 2 inches dry before watering again.
• Maintain height at 6–10 ft with gentle pruning for an ideal patio specimen.
• Move containers indoors or into protected areas during cold snaps.

---

🌾 Companion & Support Plants

For best health & productivity, grow alongside:

• Nitrogen Fixers: Pigeon Pea, Sunn Hemp
• Biomass Producers: Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia)
• Pollinator Attractors: Firebush, Blue Porterweed, African Basil
• Soil Supporters: Vetiver for erosion control and root-zone stability
• Aesthetic Companions: Banana, Ginger, and Carambola for lush tropical layering

(Keep all companions at least 3–6 ft from the tree trunk.)

---

⚠️ Cautions

• Fruit-Loving Wildlife: Protect ripening fruit from raccoons, squirrels, and birds.
• Soil Drainage: Avoid heavy clay or low-lying areas that hold water.
• Immature Fruit: Picking too early leads to poor sweetness; wait until skin turns tan and slightly soft.

---

🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?

✅ Ideal For:

• Florida & Gulf Coast gardeners (Zones 9–11)
• Small-space growers & urban gardeners
• Container gardeners and tropical fruit collectors

❌ Not Ideal For:

• Cold climates with regular frost
• Soggy or poorly drained soils

---

Troubleshooting Guide

Issue	Symptom	Solution
Cold Damage	Leaf tips bronzing or blackening	Protect under 32°F; prune after new spring growth
Overwatering	Yellow leaves, leaf drop	Improve drainage, reduce irrigation
Low Fruit Set	Few fruits forming	Add pollinator habitat, cross-pollinate with another sapodilla
Latex Flesh	Fruit picked too soon	Wait until tan skin & loss of surface “scurfiness”
Pests	Scale or fruit fly	Use organic horticultural oil & regular monitoring

---

🍴 Culinary & Cultural Highlights

• Traditional Uses: Enjoyed throughout tropical Asia as a fresh dessert fruit.
• Recipes: Blends beautifully into smoothies, yogurt, and natural sweeteners for pastries.
• Historical Note: The Alano cultivar originated in Thailand and became famous for its rich flavor and compact growth habit.

---

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is ‘Alano’ self-pollinating?

A: Yes, but yields may improve with nearby sapodilla trees.

Q: How soon will it fruit?

A: Typically within 2–4 years after planting a grafted tree.

Q: How often does it fruit?

A: In Florida, expect fruit from late fall through early summer.

Q: Can it handle frost?

A: Only brief dips near 30°F—protect during freezes.

Q: Can I grow it in a pot?

A: Yes! Perfect for 15–25 gallon containers with proper drainage and pruning.

---

🚚 Shipping Details

We ship on Mondays via UPS Ground from our Florida nursery.

• Best Shipping Regions: Florida, Southeast, and Texas.
• Plants shipped to northern or western states may need additional recovery after transit.
• Buyer discretion advised during peak heat or cold; GreenDreams cannot be responsible for extreme weather during shipment.

The 3-gallon size ships securely packaged but may exhibit minor leaf wear from transit. Allow the plant to acclimate before transplanting.

---

📍 Local Pickup – GreenDreams Nursery

GreenDreams Nursery & Farm

18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610

Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM

Come see what’s fresh 🌿

---

🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services

At GreenDreams, we do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.

• 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
• 🏗️ Installation & project management
• 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar & soil blends
• 🌾 Wholesale & large-scale regenerative solutions

Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with the Alano Sapodilla! 🌿