Overview

Bring the tropics to your garden with a caimito green star apple seedling. This live plant, scientifically known as Chrysophyllum cainito, is a fascinating and rewarding addition for any fruit enthusiast. Originating from tropical lowlands, the star apple fruit tree is celebrated for its distinctive fruit, which reveals a beautiful star pattern when cut cross-sectionally. This particular variety, the Green Star Apple, produces fruit with a smooth, glossy, green peel and a sweet, milky white pulp. Our 3-7” tall seedling comes in a 2.5” square pot, providing a strong start for your new tropical fruit tree. While best adapted to hot, humid climates, it can thrive in warm, protected locations, making it a unique specimen for those looking to expand their edible landscape.

The chrysophyllum cainito plant grows into a medium to large tree, potentially reaching 25 to 100 feet tall in ideal conditions, forming a round to oval canopy with gracefully weeping branches. Its leaves are a striking feature, shiny green on the upper surface and a golden-brown underneath, adding ornamental value even before fruiting. Growing a tropical fruit tree like the Caimito Green Star Apple offers the unique pleasure of harvesting your own exotic produce, fresh from your garden. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience a taste of the tropics right at home.

Key Benefits

Beyond its delicious fruit, the caimito green star apple offers several advantages for the home gardener. Its attractive foliage and unique fruit make it a standout specimen. Here are some of the key benefits of cultivating this remarkable tree:

• Exotic Fruit Production: Enjoy the unique pleasure of harvesting sweet, juicy green star apple seedling fruits with a distinctive star-shaped interior, a true tropical delicacy not often found in conventional markets.
• Ornamental Value: The tree’s glossy green leaves with golden-brown undersides and weeping growth habit provide significant aesthetic appeal, making it a beautiful addition to any landscape.
• Unique Culinary Experience: The milky, soft pulp of the Star Apple fruit can be eaten fresh, used in desserts, or blended into refreshing drinks, offering a versatile ingredient for culinary exploration.
• Shade and Canopy: As a medium to large tree, it provides excellent shade and contributes to a lush, tropical ambiance in your garden.
• Long Growing Season: In suitable climates, the Caimito can bloom and fruit over an extended period, providing a consistent supply of fresh fruit.
• Conversation Starter: The unusual appearance and delicious taste of the chrysophyllum cainito plant fruit are sure to intrigue guests and become a topic of conversation.
• Supports Biodiversity: Growing diverse fruit trees like this tropical fruit tree can attract local wildlife and contribute to a healthier ecosystem in your garden.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your caimito green star apple seedling thrives and produces abundant fruit, proper care is essential. This tropical species requires specific conditions to flourish, especially when young. It is crucial to understand its needs for sunlight, water, and temperature to cultivate a healthy star apple fruit tree.

Sunlight Requirements: The Caimito Green Star Apple prefers full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Young seedlings, however, need protection from intense, direct sun, especially in hot climates. Gradually introduce them to increasing sunlight. For optimal growth and fruit production, ensure your mature chrysophyllum cainito plant receives ample light.

Watering Schedule & Soil Moisture: Consistent moisture is key for Caimito trees. Water regularly, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering during cooler, dormant periods. Good drainage is critical to prevent root rot.

Soil Type & Drainage: This tropical fruit tree prefers rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). A mix of sand, loam, and organic matter is ideal. Ensure the planting site or pot has excellent drainage to prevent water accumulation around the roots.

Temperature Range & USDA Hardiness Zone: Caimito trees are tropical and are best suited for USDA Zones 10-11, where temperatures rarely drop below 40°F (4°C). Young trees are particularly sensitive to cold and can be damaged or killed by temperatures around 31-32°F (-0.6-0°C). If you live in a cooler zone, consider growing it in a container that can be moved indoors during winter. Protect from strong winds, which can cause defoliation.

Fertilization Schedule & Type: Fertilize your green star apple seedling with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer designed for tropical fruit trees. Apply every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring through fall). Follow package instructions for application rates. Avoid fertilizing heavily during dormancy.

Common Problems & Solutions: Caimito trees are generally robust but can be susceptible to pests like scale insects or mealybugs. Inspect your tree regularly and treat any infestations with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Ensure proper air circulation to prevent fungal issues. Consistent watering and feeding will help the tree resist stress and disease.

Size & Details

You are purchasing one caimito green star apple seedling plant, measuring approximately 3-7 inches tall. This measurement excludes the height of the pot. The plant is established in a 2.5-inch square nursery pot. This size is ideal for transplanting into a larger container or directly into the ground in appropriate climates. The star apple fruit tree is known for its moderate growth rate, and with proper care, it can grow into a substantial tree. Fruit production typically begins within 3-5 years from a seedling, though this can vary depending on growing conditions and if cross-pollination is required for some seedlings.

The fruit itself is typically 2 to 4 inches in diameter, varying from round to oblate or ellipsoid. The peel is smooth, glossy, and leathery, appearing green to pale green. When mature, the inner rind of green fruits is white, surrounding a soft, milky pulp with 6 to 11 seeds. This tropical fruit tree is shipped as a live, potted plant, ensuring minimal transplant shock upon arrival. Its mature size can significantly enhance your landscape, providing both beauty and delicious fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Caimito Green Star Apple plant get? A: In optimal tropical conditions, a mature caimito green star apple tree can reach heights of 25 to 100 feet. Our seedling arrives at 3-7 inches tall, offering a fantastic starting point for your growth journey.
• Q: What size pot does the plant come in? A: The green star apple seedling is provided in a 2.5-inch square nursery pot, which is suitable for its initial growth stage. You will need to transplant it into a larger container or directly into the ground as it grows.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Caimito is primarily an outdoor plant in tropical and subtropical regions (USDA Zones 10-11). In cooler climates, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors during colder months as a tropical fruit tree.
• Q: How much sunlight does the Chrysophyllum cainito plant need? A: Mature Caimito trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Young seedlings should be gradually acclimated to full sun and protected from intense midday sun.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While chrysophyllum cainito plant requires specific tropical conditions, consistent watering, proper drainage, and sun exposure, it is considered moderately easy to care for once established in the right climate.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your star apple fruit tree will arrive as a live, healthy seedling in its original nursery pot, carefully packaged to ensure its safe transit and readiness for planting.
• Q: How long until it blooms and fruits? A: Caimito trees grown from seed typically begin to bloom and produce fruit within 3-5 years under ideal growing conditions. Some seedlings may also require cross-pollination to set fruit.
• Q: What is the best time to plant a Green Star Apple seedling? A: The best time to plant is when temperatures are consistently warm, typically in spring or early summer, after all danger of frost has passed. This allows the plant ample time to establish before cooler weather.
• Q: Will a tropical fruit tree like this survive winter in my zone? A: Caimito trees have limited cold tolerance and are best suited for USDA Zones 10-11. They are damaged or killed below 31-32°F (-0.6-0°C). If you are outside these zones, winter protection or indoor cultivation is necessary.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for a Star Apple fruit tree? A: A rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Avoid heavy, compacted soils that retain too much moisture, as this can lead to root issues for your green star apple seedling.