There are lots of fruiting star apples in FL. I've seen quite a few fruiting in pots at nurseries. They were usually larger plants though in at least 25 gallon. I think the person who has that fruiting tree with the tons of tiny fruit should try thinning out the fruit to see if she will get larger fruit.

I don't think it will be a problem for you to get fruit from the tree. It might just be a bit difficult to move such a large tree in and out to protect it from the cold.

murahalin, have you seen any in florida fruiting in the ground ? I thought they don't like cold at all. I was under the impression that since they are such large trees, that it is rare for them to fruit in pots. And I dont think anyone on this forum has ever posted their fruiting potted caimitos.

ok, so they are easier to grow than i thought.

Caimitos fruiting here in Florida is not that uncommon. Our local folks of Cuban heritage have planted out many caimitos. We also have Jamaican folk, they call it star apple, who have contributed as well by numerous plantings. From my observations, caimito seems to be more or less on a par with mango as far as cold tolerance. I have had two that have fruited for me. Unfortunately, they always get uprooted or they snap at the base of the tree in thunderstorms/hurricanes. My last tree had probably 200 fruits on it when a simple summer thunderstorm just broke the trunk at its base. Of course, I've still planted another one out....but no flowers as of yet.

Harry

I think star apples are a little less cold tolerant than mangos. I've seen 30ft trees defoliate with cold weather when mango trees barely had any damage. The big problem with star apple is that the trees are usually fruiting during the time the cold weather hits and its very easy to lose all the fruit. I've seen all the fruit on a large tree just die and pretty much dry up the size of a ping pong ball because of the cold.

where u can purchase a layered Caimito, Star Apple?