How to Graft the Mamey Sapote

Mamey sapote is a unique fruit that is not widely cultivated. It is native to Central America and is only hardy in tropical locations. The trees are 40 to 60 feet in height and wide with numerous branches. The fruit is a 3- to 8-inch-long berry with hard, woody skin. The inside is pulpy and variously salmon, orange, pink or red. The fruit has an almost almond, sweet flavor. The most common method of cultivation is by seed and overripe fruits may split and sprout where they fall. Vegetative propagation is difficult but has a higher chance of success if done when temperatures in the day are warm but nights are cool and humidity is low.

Fresh mamey sapote seed
Potting soil
2 small boards
Pot
Water
Sharp knife or pruners
Alcohol
Cotton swab
Mature mamey sapote tree
Grafting tape

Instructions

- 1
  Grow your own root stock from a fresh sapote seed. Crack the seed lightly before planting by placing it between two boards and applying pressure. Germination is enhanced in cracked seeds. Plant the seed in potting soil and water it completely.
- 2
  Put the pot in a warm area at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the medium moderately moist. Move the plant to a warm brightly lit area after it sprouts. Continue to water the seedling and grow it until it is 3 feet tall and ready for grafting.
- 3
  Harvest the scion wood or grafting material from a mature, healthy tree in spring when buds are hardened and have just begun to grow. Wipe a sharp knife or pruners with alcohol to sterilize the blades and prevent disease introduction.
- 4
  Cut a piece of terminal or end wood that is the diameter of a pencil. Take a piece 2 to 4 inches long with numerous buds on the wood. Shave off the bark on opposite sides of the scion, exposing the cambium.
- 5
  Cut the top off the rootstock at a level 8 inches above the soil line. Slice down from the cut are into the bark of the rootstock. Make the cut the same length as the scion wood and do not sever the piece but leave a flap which will cover the scion once it is inserted.
- 6
  Slip the scion wood into the rootstock cut. Pull the flap up over the scion wood. Bind around the root stock and scion with grafting tape. Place the rootstock in at least 50 percent shade and keep it lightly moist.
- 7
  Remove the tape in three to seven weeks when the union has joined and sealed. Gradually introduce the new plant to brighter amounts of light over a week until it is in full sun.

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