Chiku / Sapodilla

Days to harvest

1095–1460 days

Sunlight

6–10 hours/day

Watering

2–4 per day

Plant spacing

700 cm

Minimum container size

100cm deep × 100cm wide

Container-friendly

1 plants per container

Estimated yield

200 kg / 100m²

Life span

perennial

Climate Requirements

Ideal temperature

22-35 °C

Annual rainfall

1200-2000 mm

Humidity

70-85%

Heat tolerance

moderate

Drought tolerance

moderate

Soil & Planting

Companion Plants

• Bananamoderate

  Banana nurse crop provides temporary shade for young chiku trees; traditional kampung orchard

• Coconutmoderate

  Coconut windbreak protects chiku orchard; compatible root zones in mixed orchards

• Pandanweak

  Pandan ground cover under chiku trees retains moisture and deters soil pests

Common Pests & Diseases

Market Demand

Moderate — fresh consumption; Malay traditional fruit; dried chiku growing export market; latex (chicle gum) historical industrial use

Regional Notes

Perak, Selangor major producers. Very hardy, long-lived tree. Low input once established. Seasonal availability creates market gaps.

Sources

• MARDI Tropical Fruit Research 2024 — Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute · Last reviewed: 2024-06-01