Black sapote doesn't set fruit (forum)

Russell starts with ...
Hello, I have a beautifully healthy black sapote about three years old. This is the second season it has flowered, but just before the fruit starts to set they all drop off. It's in a sheltered position in well-drained sand, with plenty of organic matter and mulch, and I keep the water up to it. I can't see any bug activity. Is it just that it's young, or could there be another reason? I've been growing fruit trees on the NSW north coast for a couple of decades now. Any ideas most welcome

Time: 13th February 2012 6:06pm

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About the Author Russell
Ocean shores, nsw
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john says...
You have not told us if it's a seedling or a named graft. Some seedlings are sterile. Glowinski says that he believes that some Diospyros need X- fertilizing even when the recommendation is "not necessary"

Time: 14th February 2012 8:33am

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Russell says...
Hello John. Sorry about the lack of info. I've added a pic (hope it transfers). I think it may be a seedling. I bought it from a nursery stall at a market. It carried a generic black sapote tag with no variety name. Perhaps the problem is as you say. It flowers prolifically with a small bulb behind the flower head. Then they all drop off, leaving a short stub behind.

Time: 15th February 2012 12:17pm

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About the Author Russell
Ocean shores, nsw
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Kathy says...
Russell - my black sapote - set flowers for the first time this year - lots and lots! BUT the middle of each flower turned black and they fell off.
I HOPE it is just the tree is practicing!. It's about 3 years old and is a bit taller than me - and very healthy looking.
kathy

Time: 16th February 2012 1:25pm

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About the Author kathyturner
Maleny, Qld
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BJ says...
They often take a while to produce female flowers. Seedlings often produce only male flowers, which are narrower and the flower quite triangular, for the first few years of flowering. The female flowers are much rounder and more tubular. Some seedlings never produce female flowers. Grafted plants should set fruit within 2-3years.

Time: 16th February 2012 1:35pm

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
Brisbane
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Russell says...
Thanks everyone. I'll perservere with the tree for now.

Time: 18th February 2012 10:01am

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Harvest says...
I purchased a Black Sapote Seedling from Daleys in August,2009. At the time of purchase there was no communication to advise that seedlings may not produce fruit.

The tree has grown prolifically, it is 3 meters tall, and for the last two years has set flowers which from the advice on this forum I have identified as being only male in gender.

Should I persevere with this tree or replace it with a grafted specimen?

I am not happy that Daleys didnt bring to my attention that I may have been sold a non fruit bearing tree.

Time: 26th December 2013 7:54pm

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About the Author Harvest
Clarence Town
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gimme says...
Seedling tree should eventually produce fruit once mature. That may be many years after it first flowers. The long wait is the price you pay when you don't pay the price.

Time: 26th December 2013 11:59pm

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About the Author gimme
Brisbane, Qld
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sternus1 says...
Yes, I think it is unwise to buy seedling trees. I have two longan seedlings I am seriously considering replacing with grafted varieties. The last three trees daleys have sent me have all been manky and crap, despite my having given them close to 1k for the 2013 period. No more money from me, I'm instead buying from bird wood and arranging pick up from my local nursery.

Time: 27th December 2013 8:59am

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About the Author sternus1
Australia
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Mike Tr says...
Seedling trees are alright for many species but not usually mono mangoes,sapodilla,lychees,longan,rambutan,most citrus,atemoyas and a few others.Black sapote are a bit of a crap shoot with some seedlings never producing properly.

Time: 27th December 2013 10:33am

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About the Author Mike Tr
Cairns
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sternus1 says...
Should I cut my losses and get rid of the Longan?
That would mean more prime real estate for better trees, and I did get the existing ones on the cheap. I' ll have to check if the bernicker daleys sent me is grafted , I assumed it was and didn't check.

Got a set of three metal framed greenhouses for Christmas mike, the days of plastic covered bathtubs are behind me, thankfully. Have had a decent amount of germination with that last package thus far, more than I'd anticipated.

S

S

Time: 27th December 2013 11:57am

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About the Author sternus1
Australia
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Mike Tr says...
When in doubt, chop it out. Ditch it I say and it is better to soar with the eagles than flap around with the turkeys. There are likely to be much better prospects.

Time: 27th December 2013 12:15pm

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Cairns
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sternus1 says...
Yeah, will do. I think I can order chompoo through my local might get a pair.

Time: 27th December 2013 12:42pm

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About the Author sternus1
Australia
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andy11 says...
Hi. I have a 'Mayer' variety from daleys 3or 4 years old. Very healthy and growing well. Flowers profusely every year but all drop off as previously descibed by others in this forum. Love some help/tips!
Thanks!

Time: 5th April 2017 7:41pm

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About the Author andy11
launching place. VIC
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Markmelb says...
I started getting good fruit set when I got another grafted variety - Bernicker tastes pretty good - didnt like my mossman much but is still early days.
I think you will need 2 to get fruit.

Time: 7th April 2017 8:13am

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Original Post was last edited: 7th April 2017 8:13am

About the Author Markmelb
MOUNT WAVERLEY,3149,VIC
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Easel says...
Caveat emptor, my friend. The onus is to do your own research or ask.

Time: 21st December 2018 2:11am

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About the Author Easel
kingaroy
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