Abiu (Pouteria caimito)

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10 in stock

Pot Size

Abiu, or Yellow Star Apple, is a medium-sized, tropical evergreen fruit tree native to the Amazon basin that has naturalized throughout South America and Southeast Asia. It is a member of the Sapota family, along with other Sow Exotic favorites like Sapodilla, Mamey Sapote, Canistel, etc. In subtropical regions, it blooms once a year and produces large yellow fruit with delicious, caramel-flavored pulp.

The greenish-white flowers open in the morning and last for about two days, then develop into round, baseball-sized fruit three to four months later. When ripe, the white pulp is translucent and jelly-like, with a sweet, caramel and vanilla custard flavor. It can be scooped out with a spoon, or used in ice cream, sorbets, yogurts, or fruit salads and is rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and C.

Abiu grows best in hot, humid areas, protected from cool breezes, in full sun to dappled shade. It is tolerant of a wide variety of soils as long as they are well-draining and slightly acidic. Abiu is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11.  Abiu trees grow up to 15-25 feet at maturity and could easily be grown in a container and overwintered indoors.  They are more cold sensitive than other Pouterias.

Plant Type:
Tropical/Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree

Harvest Season:
Winter, Spring, Year-round

Typically December - March (sub-tropics) but varies slightly based on variety. Some cultivars even fruit year-round! Canistel fruit should be harvested when it turns yellow-orange. Allowing fruit 3 to 10 days to ripen at room temperature (76–82°F; 24–28°C). Ripe fruit is soft but not mushy.

Mature Size:
15-30 ft.

Will grow well in a container as long as you provide enough space for root growth. . 

Soil & Moisture:
Well-draining, sandy, soil rich in organic matter. Likes consistent watering especially during flower and fruiting but is completely intolerant of flooding. 

Light Requirements:
Full Sun (highest production), Part Shade

Self-Fertile:
Yes

Growth Rate:
Fast, Medium

Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+. 

If taking on the task of growing this tropical fruit tree in colder climates, can be dwarfed with the right amount of commitment and can be overwintered indoors. During the coldest winter in the last ten years, the Canistel's planted in our food forest survived severe damage at 24 degrees, growing back from the base and are back to fruiting!

Propagation:
Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable of producing fruit within 2-3 years.

X-Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable of producing fruit within 1-2 years.

See More:
Shop all of our Canistel varieties.

Shop all of our Pouteria varieties.

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