🌳 Chikoo Plant – Growing & Care Guide

Chikoo (botanical name: Manilkara zapota), also known as Sapota, is a popular tropical fruit plant known for its sweet, brown, grainy pulp. It is widely grown in India for home gardens and commercial farming due to its regular bearing and strong market demand.

🌱 Growing Instructions

Climate: Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.

Temperature: Ideal range 20°C–35°C.

Soil: Well-drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter. Avoid waterlogging.

Sunlight: Requires full sunlight (6–8 hours daily) for better fruiting.

Planting Distance: 6–8 meters apart for proper canopy development.

Watering: Regular watering during early growth. Mature trees are moderately drought tolerant.

Best Planting Time: July–September or February–March.

Fruiting Time: Begins fruiting in 2–3 years (grafted plants fruit earlier).

🌿 Care Instructions

Fertilizer: Apply organic compost or well-rotted cow dung twice yearly. Add balanced NPK fertilizer before flowering.

Pruning: Light pruning to remove dry and overcrowded branches.

Mulching: Helps retain soil moisture and control weeds.

Pest & Disease Control: Monitor for leaf spot and mealybugs. Neem oil spray is effective for prevention.

Weeding: Keep the base area clean for healthy growth.

🍈 Uses of Chikoo

Eaten fresh as table fruit

Used in milkshakes, ice cream, and desserts

Rich in natural sugars, fiber, and antioxidants

Provides energy and supports digestion

Suitable for commercial farming due to consistent yield