Lucuma.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Fruit tree

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 5 a 10 días

Tamaño adulto

15 meters

Ritmo de crecimiento

Medio

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 11

Floración

Late spring to early summer

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to ensure healthy fruit production. Watch for yellowing leaves which may indicate poor drainage or nutrient deficiency. Provide plenty of sunshine to support its natural tropical growth habits.

Riego

Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Abonado

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Poda

Prune lightly once a year to maintain shape and encourage airflow.

Trasplante

Repot only when the tree shows signs of being root bound.

Suelo

Well draining sandy loam

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatura

5 a 35°C

Humedad

50 a 80%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Perennial, can live for several decades.

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is not considered toxic, but the seeds contain saponins that should not be ingested.

Niños

The large, hard seeds pose a choking hazard if left within reach of small children.

Alérgenos por contacto

The milky latex sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this tree.

Comestibilidad

The fruit must be fully ripe to be palatable, as unripe fruit is highly astringent and dry.

Cómo identificarla

• Glossy dark green leaves
• Oval shaped fruit with dry flesh
• Brown skin with yellow pulp
• Small greenish white flowers

Altura

8 a 15m

Anchura

4 a 8m

Hojas

dark green, glossy, evergreen

Flores

greenish yellow, 1 a 2cm

Frutos

green, brown, yellow orange, Autumn to winter

Problemas frecuentes

• Fruit fly — Larvae can infest ripening fruit, causing premature drop.
• Root rot — Occurs in poorly drained soils with excessive moisture.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed, grafting

Cuándo plantar

Spring

Cuidados en invierno

Protect young trees from frost with burlap or frost cloth. Ensure the soil does not remain waterlogged during cooler months.

En maceta

It is not well suited for long term container growth due to its eventual size and deep root system.

Planting in a mixed orchard setting helps manage humidity levels and provides necessary shade for young saplings.

Buenas compañeras

• Cafeto — They share similar requirements for partial shade and well drained soil in tropical highlands.
• Avocado — Both trees benefit from similar soil conditions and can provide mutual wind protection.

Especies parecidas

• Pouteria campechiana — It is a close relative with similar fruit texture and growth habits.
• Pouteria sapota — Another member of the Sapotaceae family that shares similar cultural requirements.

Ciencia

Familia

Sapotaceae

Género

Pouteria

Orden

Ericales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Andean valleys of Peru, Chile, and Ecuador.

Conservación

It is widely cultivated in its native range and is not currently considered threatened.

It thrives in high altitude, temperate mountain valleys with consistent moisture and well drained soil.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas

Usos

culinary fruit, dessert flavoring, ornamental tree

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Can I grow lucuma in a pot?

It is difficult due to the tree's large size, but young specimens can be kept in very large containers for a few years.

How do I know when the fruit is ripe?

The fruit is ready when it softens slightly and the skin turns a dull, brownish green.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Pouteria comes from the Guiana name for a related species, while lucuma is derived from the Quechua name for the fruit.

Bueno saberlo

• Lucuma powder is a popular natural sweetener in health foods.
• The fruit has a unique texture often described as dry and mealy like a hard boiled egg yolk.
• It is a staple ingredient in Peruvian ice cream.
• The tree is slow growing and can take years to produce its first fruit.