Caimito Live Plant – Green Star Apple Tree (3-4 ft Tall) in 3 Gallon Pot

Overview

Introduce an exotic touch to your garden with a magnificent caimito live plant. Also widely recognized as the star apple tree, this tropical fruit tree is celebrated for its strikingly beautiful and deliciously sweet fruit. The fruit, known for its round shape, glossy green or purple skin, and a distinctive star-shaped core when cut crosswise, offers a unique culinary experience. Our live plant comes at a robust 3 to 4 feet tall, pre-potted in a 3-gallon container, ensuring a strong start for your new addition. Perfect for those looking to cultivate their own tropical produce, this tree not only yields delectable fruit but also adds significant ornamental value with its attractive foliage. Experience the joy of growing your own exotic fruits right in your backyard with this vibrant star apple tree.

This particular specimen is a green variety, producing fruit with a vibrant green skin. It’s a fantastic choice for enthusiasts of tropical agriculture or anyone seeking a unique and rewarding gardening project. The tree’s mature size and fruit-bearing potential make it a long-term investment in your landscape, providing both shade and sustenance for many years to come.

Key Benefits

Adding a caimito live plant to your garden offers a wealth of advantages, transforming your outdoor space into a productive and visually appealing tropical haven. This tree provides more than just fruit; it enhances your environment in multiple ways:

• Exotic Fruit Production: Enjoy the unique pleasure of harvesting your own sweet and juicy star apples, a tropical delicacy not commonly found in local markets. The distinctive flavor and texture make it a gourmet delight.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its lush green foliage and potential for a stately form, the star apple tree serves as an attractive landscape feature, offering shade and contributing to a vibrant garden aesthetic.
• Educational Value: Growing a caimito fruit tree can be an educational experience, teaching about tropical horticulture, fruit development, and sustainable food sources.
• Attracts Wildlife: The flowers and fruits can attract beneficial pollinators and local wildlife, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.
• Long-Term Investment: A well-cared-for caimito tree can live for many decades, providing a continuous supply of fruit and beauty year after year, making it a valuable addition to your property.
• Unique Culinary Ingredient: Beyond fresh eating, the fruit can be used in various desserts, smoothies, and tropical recipes, expanding your culinary repertoire.
• Sustainable Living: Producing your own fruit reduces reliance on commercial produce, promoting a more self-sufficient and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your caimito live plant, or green star apple, requires attention to its tropical needs to ensure robust growth and abundant fruiting. These trees thrive in specific conditions that mimic their native environment. For optimal health, the tree should be planted in a location that receives full sun exposure, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, full sun is crucial for maximum fruit production and vigorous growth. Ensure the area is protected from strong winds, especially when the tree is young.

Watering is a critical aspect of caimito fruit tree care. It requires moderate watering; the soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is detrimental to the tree’s health. During dry spells or periods of rapid growth, increase watering frequency. A well-draining soil is absolutely essential for this plant. Loamy or sandy soil types are preferred, as they allow water to pass through efficiently while retaining adequate moisture. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. The tree is best suited for USDA Zones 10 to 11, where temperatures remain above freezing. In cooler climates, it can be grown in large containers and moved indoors during winter.

Fertilization should begin once the tree is established, typically after the first year. Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer or a fruit tree specific formula, applied according to package directions, usually every 3-4 months during the growing season. Watch out for common pests like aphids or mealybugs, and treat with organic insecticidal soaps if necessary. Pruning should be done to shape the tree, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage air circulation. With proper care, your tropical fruit tree will flourish, providing you with delicious star apples for years.

Size & Details

This offering is for one caimito live plant, commonly known as a star apple tree, standing impressively at a height of 3 to 4 feet. It arrives carefully rooted in a 3-gallon nursery pot, providing a well-established root system ready for transplanting into your garden or a larger container. These trees are known for their moderate growth rate, and with proper care, they can eventually reach heights of 25 to 50 feet in their native tropical environments, though they can be maintained at smaller sizes with regular pruning in cultivation. The plant will arrive with healthy green foliage, indicative of its vitality. While fruit production typically begins after 3-5 years, the tree’s initial growth will focus on developing a strong structure. This green star apple variety is chosen for its reliable fruiting and attractive appearance, making it a superb choice for both edible landscaping and fruit enthusiasts.

The dimensions of the plant in its nursery pot are approximately 8 x 8 x 45 inches, including the pot and foliage, making it a substantial live specimen upon arrival. Its robust size ensures it has a head start, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of this unique tropical fruit tree sooner.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this caimito live plant get? A: This particular caimito live plant is 3 to 4 feet tall when shipped. In optimal tropical conditions, a mature star apple tree can grow between 25 to 50 feet tall, but its size can be managed with pruning in garden settings.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The green star apple tree is shipped in a 3-gallon nursery pot, providing ample space for its root system and ensuring it’s ready for transplanting.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The caimito live plant is a tropical fruit tree best suited for outdoor planting in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11. In cooler climates, it can be grown in a large container and moved indoors during colder months.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This tropical fruit tree thrives in full sun exposure, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for healthy growth and optimal fruit production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While it has specific tropical needs regarding sunlight, water, and soil, caring for a caimito fruit tree is manageable for gardeners with some experience. Consistent moisture and well-draining soil are key.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your caimito live plant will arrive as a healthy, thriving specimen, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit. It will be pre-potted in its 3-gallon container.
• Q: How long until it produces fruit? A: Typically, a star apple tree grown from this size plant will begin to bear fruit within 3 to 5 years after planting, depending on growing conditions and care.
• Q: What’s the best soil for a caimito tree? A: The caimito live plant prefers well-draining, loamy or sandy soil. It’s crucial to avoid heavy, waterlogged soils to prevent root issues.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This tropical fruit tree is sensitive to cold and is best suited for USDA Zones 10 to 11. If you are in a colder zone, you will need to provide winter protection or grow it in a container to bring indoors.
• Q: Can I grow this plant in a large container indefinitely? A: Yes, the caimito live plant can be successfully grown in a large container, allowing you to control its size and move it as needed, especially in non-tropical climates. Ensure the container is large enough to accommodate its root system.