Diospyros nigra, Black sapote, Chocolate pudding fruit, Zapote prieto, 10 seeds
Diospyros nigra, the black sapote, is a species of persimmon. Common names include chocolate pudding fruit, black soapapple and (in Spanish) zapote prieto. The tropical fruit tree is native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. The common name sapote refers to any soft, edible fruit. Black sapote is not related to white sapote nor mamey sapote. The genus Diospyros has numerous other fruit bearing tree species in addition to the persimmons and black sapote.
The etymology of Diospyros is "divine fruit". It derives from the greek words "dios" and "pyron". There are multiple meanings including "God's pear", "Wheat of Zeus" and "Jove's fire".
Mature trees can grow to over 25 m (82 ft) in height and are evergreen. It is frost sensitive but can tolerate light frosts. The leaves are elliptic-oblong, tapered at both ends, dark green, glossy and 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) long. Some trees bear only male flowers. Others have both male and female flowers, though some of these are self-incompatible. Fruiting takes about 3–4 years from seed and the trees are heavy bearers.
Black sapote fruit are tomato-like and measure 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) in diameter, with an inedible skin that turns from olive to a deep yellow-green when ripe and a pulp which is white and inedible when unripe but assumes a flavor, color and texture often likened to chocolate pudding when ripe. Fruits usually contain seeds, up to a maximum of 12. The texture has been likened to that of a papaya. The ripe fruit may have "the taste and consistency of chocolate pudding.
Propagation is usually from seed, which can retain viability for several months and require around 10-15 days for germination. Some trees are seedless however, and can be propagated by air-layering or shield budding.
Black sapote trees are normally found below 600 meters, but are not particular about soil, and can tolerate light frosts. They are sensitive to drought, requiring irrigation in dry areas, but are quite tolerant of flooding. The tree grows fairly slowly for the first 3–4 years, perhaps just 1 foot/year for the first couple of years. Later however it grows much more rapidly. Trees should be spaced 10-12m apart.
Growing requirements: full sunlight, grows best in most well drained soils (sand and lime-stone based) and high pH soils (5.5-7.0). Mature trees can tolerate 28-30°F (-2 – -1°C) and young trees can be killed at 23°F (-5°C), and they require spacing of about 32–39 ft. (10 meters).
Pollination takes place by insects, but some varieties are self-incompatible, meaning they require cross pollination.
Germination method
It's always the best to sow the seeds right out of the fruit. Seeds stay viable for several months.
So if you purchased dried seeds you need to soak them in water for 24 hours.
After pre-treatment get a clear plastic food container, fill it with moist vermiculate (not soggy) and push the seeds in lightly with the sharp side inside and round outside (I didn't cover them completely), keep at 25-30°C.
Seeds will start to germinate in about 2 weeks.
Seedlings grow slowly at first, they do not come true to type and may take 4-5 years to begin fruiting.