Banana Sapota (Manilkara zapota)

A distinctive chikku cultivar named for its uniquely elongated, cylindrical fruit shape that resembles a small banana, featuring soft, reddish-brown pulp with a smooth texture and rich caramel sweetness.

Grafted and air-layered trees adapt exceptionally well to home gardens or large container culture, maintaining a naturally compact growth habit and fruiting heavily within just 1 to 2 years!

Description

Banana Sapota / Banana Chikku (Manilkara zapota): Grows best in 6–8 hours of direct sunlight and thrives in warm, humid tropical climates. Water regularly during the early growth stage to keep the soil moderately moist, while avoiding waterlogging around the roots. It grows well in fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and becomes relatively drought-tolerant once established.

Recommended Planting Method for Best Result

For healthy growth and strong establishment, prepare a 2–3 ft deep pit. If available, place a layer of green leaves at the bottom. Mix 1.5 kg bone meal, 1 kg oil cake, 20 kg raw cow or goat dung, and 100 g urea with an equal quantity of soil, then fill the pit and cover it with soil.

Leave the pit for about one month, watering it daily so the mixture decomposes well. After one month, mix the contents again and add 100 g calcium or dolomite. Wait one more week, then plant the sapling.

If you need to plant immediately and cannot wait for the one-month decomposition period, do not add oil cake or calcium/dolomite; use only the soil, manure, bone meal, and urea mixture for planting.