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🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌟 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! 🌿
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
