• Manilkara chicle tropical evergreen tree with glossy green foliage, natural growth habit, and fruit-bearing potential in a warm-climate garden.
  • Manilkara chicle tropical evergreen tree with glossy green foliage, natural growth habit, and fruit-bearing potential in a warm-climate garden.
  • Manilkara chicle tropical evergreen tree with glossy green foliage, natural growth habit, and fruit-bearing potential in a warm-climate garden.
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Eden Valley Seeds

Manilkara Chicle Fruit Seeds – Tropical Sapodilla Relative Tree

Manilkara Chicle Fruit Seeds – Tropical Sapodilla Relative Tree

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$18.89 USD
$18.89 USD
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DELIVERY ESTIMATE
Oct 25 – Oct 27 Estimated arrival
ORDER Oct 15 Order placed
ORDER READY Oct 17 – Oct 18 2–3 business days
DELIVERED Oct 25 – Oct 27 10–12 business days total
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Key Features

  • Tropical Tree: Manilkara chicle is an evergreen tropical tree in the sapodilla family.

  • Fruit Characteristics: Produces small, rounded fruits that may develop yellowish to brown tones when mature.

  • Plant Appearance: Features glossy green foliage and a naturally attractive evergreen growth habit.

  • Garden Uses: Suitable for tropical gardens, botanical collections, and warm-climate landscapes.

  • Natural History: The tree is known for its latex, traditionally used as a source of chicle, a natural chewing-gum ingredient.

Growing Benefits

  • Adds an interesting tropical tree to suitable warm-climate gardens.

  • Provides an opportunity to explore a lesser-known fruit-bearing tree.

  • Its evergreen foliage can contribute year-round greenery in frost-free regions.

  • Offers an educational growing project for gardeners interested in tropical plants.

  • Connects home gardening with the botanical history of natural chicle.

Seed Specifications

  • Common Name: Chicle Tree

  • Botanical Name: Manilkara chicle

  • Plant Type: Tropical evergreen tree

  • Colors: Green foliage; fruit color varies with maturity and species identification.

  • Height: Can become a large tree in favorable tropical conditions; mature height varies by environment and identification.

  • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade, with warm conditions preferred.

  • Soil: Well-drained soil suited to tropical tree growth.

  • Water: Regular watering during establishment; avoid prolonged waterlogging.

  • Germination Time: Not reliably established for this species; timing varies with seed freshness and growing conditions.

  • Sowing Depth: Cover seeds lightly with a suitable, well-draining growing medium.

  • Spacing: Provide ample space for a mature tree; final spacing depends on the planting site and expected growth.

  • Growing Zones: Best suited to tropical and warm subtropical climates; protect young plants from cold and frost.

  • Flowering/Maturity: Flowering and fruiting timelines vary with climate, growing conditions, and plant maturity.

  • Uses: Tropical landscaping, botanical collections, and traditional chicle-latex production.

Growing Tips

  • Use fresh, healthy seeds from a supplier who can confirm their identity.

  • Maintain warm conditions and evenly moist, well-drained growing medium.

  • Give young seedlings bright light while gradually acclimating them to stronger sunlight.

  • Protect young trees from frost, strong winds, and waterlogged soil.

Seed Storage

Keep seeds in a cool, shaded place until sowing, and follow the supplier's storage instructions. Seed longevity can vary, so ask the supplier whether the seeds should remain dry or be sown soon after harvest. Avoid prolonged storage without species-specific guidance.

Unique Facts About Manilkara Chicle

  • Natural chicle source: The tree is historically known for its latex, which has been used to produce chicle, a natural gum base.

  • Native range: Its documented native range extends from Central Mexico to Colombia.

  • Botanical family: It belongs to the Sapotaceae family, which includes other tropical trees valued for their fruits and latex.

  • Traditional uses: Botanical references record food and medicinal uses for the species, alongside its importance as a source of natural materials.

Growing Instructions

Planting Season

Sow during warm weather when stable temperatures can be maintained. In cooler regions, start seeds in a warm, protected environment rather than exposing them to cold outdoor conditions.

Seed Sowing and Depth

Use a clean pot with drainage holes and a well-draining growing medium. Sow the seeds lightly covered with the medium, following any species-specific instructions provided by the supplier. Avoid planting too deeply or allowing the medium to become compacted.

Spacing

Start seedlings individually in pots when possible to reduce root disturbance during transplanting. Once established, plant trees far enough apart to accommodate their mature canopy and root system.

Sunlight and Soil

Provide bright light and gradually introduce young plants to direct sunlight. Use fertile, well-drained soil that retains some moisture without remaining saturated. A sheltered, warm location is preferable.

Watering and Germination

Keep the growing medium evenly moist but not waterlogged. Germination may be irregular, and a dependable germination period for this species is not established here. Avoid letting the seed dry out during active germination, and follow supplier guidance for seed preparation.

Transplanting

Transplant seedlings after they have developed a healthy root system and several established leaves. Handle the roots gently, plant at the same depth as in the original pot, and water thoroughly after transplanting.

Fertilizing and Ongoing Care

Once the seedling is actively growing, use a balanced fertilizer suitable for tropical trees according to the product label. Remove damaged growth when needed, monitor for pests, and maintain consistent moisture while the tree establishes.

Flowering and Fruit Maturity

Flowering and fruiting can take several years and depend on growing conditions and plant maturity. A seed-grown tree may not reproduce every characteristic of its parent. The exact time to flowering and fruit production is not reliably established for this listing.