Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones:
9-12. Young trees are hardy only to 32°F (0°C). Cold hardiness gradually improves
with age, and very old trees may withstand 20°F (-6.7°C), although small branches
and leaves will be killed.
Chill hours:
None.
Heat tolerant:
All day part shade and extra water are needed above 90°F (32°C).
Drought tolerant:
Not in high temperatures.
Sun:
Full sun in moderate temperatures to part shade above 90°F (32°C).
This plant is full shade intolerant.
Planting:
Locate in part shade in well draining soil. Space the male and female trees 20' (6m) apart.
If the trees will be pruned every winter to maintain their height at 7' (2m), they can be
spaced 8' (2.4m) apart. These trees cannot be grown in a container.
Soil:
Well drained, low to high in organic content, pH 5.6-7.8 (acidic to slightly alkaline). This
plant is moderately salt tolerant.
Fertilize:
Apply an organic fertilizer every two months during the growing season.
Feed plant micronutrients in irrigation water twice during the growing season.
Water after becoming established:
Deep water weekly in hot weather, every two weeks
in spring and fall, and every four weeks in winter. The roots are intolerant of flooding.
Mulch:
Spread organic mulch inside the drip line and 8" (21cm) away from the trunk to reduce moisture
loss and lessen root area temperature extremes.
First Year Care:
Water twice a week in high temperatures. Protect from freezing during the first 3 years.
Do not prune the first 2 years to speed growth.
Prune:
This tree can be kept pruned to a height of 7' (2m) for easier fruit harvesting. Remove grass
and weeds around the plant for the first three years to avoid root competition.
Litter:
Leaves during leaf-changeover.
Propagation:
Cuttings grafted onto rootstock, air layering. Seed must be sown soon after harvest, do not
grow true to parent, and are not viable dried.
Uses:
Edible fruit, ornamental, shade. Seeds within the fruit can be roasted and then ground
into flour or eaten whole.
Comments
The natural northern range for this tree is the north coast of Mexico's Gulf
of California.
Other names are quenepa, in Mexico and Puerto Rico; guineps in
Jamaica; and mamoncillo or mamón in Cuba, Costa Rica, Honduras,
Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela.
Do you have additional information or a different experience for these plants that you would
like to share? Email info@GardenOracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.