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15% OFF Strawberry Trees - Barbados Cherries - Papayas
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Roselle & Egyptian Spinach - Buy One Get One Free
🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌟 White Sapote ‘Redlands’ (Casimiroa edulis) – Grafted, Fast-Fruiting Custard Fruit Tree 🌿🍮
Silky vanilla-custard flavor with hints of peach and banana—‘Redlands’ White Sapote is the rare, South-Florida–selected grafted cultivar prized for exceptional taste, early bearing, and reliable production. Back in stock in 3-gallon grafted size for optimal shipping and rapid establishment.
🌿 Quick Facts (At-a-Glance)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Casimiroa edulis ‘Redlands’ |
| Plant Type | Subtropical fruit tree (grafted cultivar) |
| Sale Size | 3-gallon pot (compact, grafted tree ideal for shipping) |
| Mature Size | Unpruned: 30–60 ft tall. Managed: keep 12–15 ft tall with annual pruning |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 |
| Sun | Full sun for best growth & fruiting |
| Cold/Frost | Young trees injured near 24°F; mature trees injured near 26°F |
| Growth Habit | Upright to spreading, evergreen to semi-evergreen canopy |
| Spacing | 25 ft from structures or other trees |
Fruit Details – Why ‘Redlands’ Shines
- Flavor Profile: Exceptionally sweet, creamy, “vanilla custard” flavor with little to no bitterness near the skin.
- Fruit Size: Medium–large, about 2.5–4.5 inches across (often up to 1 lb).
- Flesh & Skin: Thin yellow-green peel; ivory-white, melting pulp.
- Seeds: 1–5 large seeds (inedible/toxic).
- Harvest Window: Typically late spring through summer in Florida.
- Fruiting Speed: Grafted ‘Redlands’ trees fruit in about 3–4 years (seedlings may take 7–8 years).
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Superior selection: Reliable fruiting & excellent flavor vs. variable seedlings
- Culinary delight: Smoothies, puddings, ice cream, or simply spooned fresh
- Nutritional value: Good source of Vitamin C, calcium, and fiber
- Ornamental appeal: Dense green canopy and creamy white flowers
- Low maintenance: Tolerant of drought and a wide range of soils once mature
- Wildlife value: Pollinator-friendly blooms attract beneficial insects
Seasonal Behavior
- Evergreen to semi-evergreen in warm zones; may lightly drop leaves in cool or dry periods
- Spring–Summer: Active growth and fruiting season
- Fall: Some cultivars continue ripening fruit
- Winter: Protect young trees during frosts and brief cold snaps
🌼 Companion (Guild) Ideas from GreenDreams
For fertility & soil building:
- Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
- Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea)
- Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia)
- Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)
For pollinators & beauty:
- Firebush (Hamelia patens)
- Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
- Edible Gingers & Turmeric beds
These companions enhance soil life, boost pollination, and create visual harmony in your edible landscape.
Where to Plant
- Sun: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soils; avoid standing water
- Drainage: Raised mounds or berms recommended for low-lying areas
- Wind: Branches can be brittle—prune for structure and avoid high-wind zones
🌳 Planting & Care
Watch our “High & Tight” Fruit Tree Planting Method on YouTube:
👉 https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
Planting:
- Dig a hole only slightly wider than the pot and at the same depth.
- Set the crown level or slightly above grade; never plant too deep.
- Backfill with native soil and organic compost blend.
- Mulch 2–6 inches deep, keeping mulch 8–12 inches from the trunk.
Watering:
- First month: 2–3 times weekly.
- Months 2–6: 1–2 times weekly depending on rainfall.
- Mature trees: Water only during prolonged droughts.
Feeding:
- Use a balanced organic fertilizer 2–3 times yearly with trace minerals.
- Supplement with compost, azomite, or seaweed sprays for micronutrients.
Pruning:
- Prune annually after harvest to maintain 12–15 ft height.
- Remove crossing limbs, open up the canopy for airflow and sunlight.
Pollination:
- Primarily insect-pollinated.
- Cross-pollination with other varieties can boost yield.
🪴 Container & Indoor Growing
- Suitable for large pots (15–25 gallon) during early years.
- Requires full sun and excellent drainage.
- Move containers indoors or to a greenhouse during frosts.
- Not ideal as a long-term indoor tree due to light and pollination needs.
⚠️ Cautions
- Seeds are toxic if eaten.
- Delicate peel—handle fruit gently to avoid bruising.
- Occasional pests: Scale insects, fruit flies, and minor leaf spotting.
- Cold sensitivity: Protect during hard freezes or extended cold.
🌟 Is ‘Redlands’ Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Home gardeners seeking fast, reliable fruit production
- Subtropical landscapes, food forests, and collectors of rare fruit trees
- Organic growers & permaculture enthusiasts
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Growers in USDA Zones below 9 without frost protection
- Locations with very limited space (canopy spread up to 25 ft)
👩🍳 Culinary Uses
- Scoop fresh fruit for a pudding-like treat.
- Add to smoothies or ice cream for a tropical vanilla flavor.
- Chill before eating for best texture and sweetness.
- Avoid eating the peel or seeds.
Origin Story
The ‘Redlands’ cultivar originated in the historic Redland agricultural district of South Florida, an area known for rare tropical fruit experimentation. Selected for its superior flavor, early fruiting, and manageable size, it has become a favorite among collectors and backyard orchardists.
White sapote itself hails from the highlands of Mexico and Central America, where it has been cultivated for centuries as a cherished “custard fruit.”
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf drop in winter | Seasonal dormancy | Normal; new flush will appear in spring |
| Sparse fruit set | Poor pollination or nutrient stress | Add pollinator plants; feed with balanced organic fertilizer |
| Leaf burn or blackened tips | Frost exposure | Cover during cold snaps; prune after new growth returns |
| Sooty mold or sticky leaves | Scale insects / ants | Apply horticultural oil; manage ant populations |
| Fruit blemishes | Minor scab or bruising | Improve airflow; handle fruit gently |
| Slow growth in heavy soils | Poor drainage | Replant on mound; improve aeration with compost and mulch |
❓ FAQ
Is ‘Redlands’ self-fruitful?
Yes, but multiple trees may improve yield.
When will it fruit?
Usually within 3–4 years for grafted trees.
How tall will it get?
Easily maintained at 12–15 ft with annual pruning.
What temperatures can it tolerate?
Light damage around 26°F; protect young trees below 30°F.
Are the seeds edible?
No, the seeds are toxic and should be discarded.
Shipping Information
- 3-gallon grafted trees are the best shipping size for quick establishment.
- 4” and 1-gallon sizes, when available, are best for Florida, Texas, and the Southeastern U.S.
- Shipping to northern and western states is possible, but plants may require recovery time after arrival.
- We ship Mondays via UPS Ground from Florida.
- Buyer discretion is advised during extreme heat or cold—we are not responsible for weather-related transit damage.
📍 Local Pickup
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
📅 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Come explore our wide selection of edible and tropical plants!
🌿 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
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar, and soil materials
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative solutions for large-scale projects
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with ‘Redlands’ White Sapote! 🌿
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.
