Cherimoya tree grow and care – tree of the genus Annona, and also known as Annona cherimola, Cherimoya perennial evergreen but in a cold weather become deciduous plant, grow for the edible fruits, can grow in tropics, mediterranean or subtropical climate and growing in hardiness zone 10+.
Flower small green-yellowish, separate times on the same tree female and male flower, flowers are protogyny at first female and after become a male flower, female stage and male stage in the early morning in the afternoon.
Cherimoya fruits
Fruit outer skin of the fruit is dandruff skin the dandruff part of the skin and the color of the skin green-yellow and the inner color is white-yellow, fruits in heart shape.
Cherimoya for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy
How to grow and care for Cherimoya tree:
How to take care of Cherimoya tree:
Two trees for increase the chance of pollination grow the trees, prune once a year, fertilize 4 time a year (when the tree is young more nitrogen), cover the soil in mulch, add humus and organic matter.
How to plant cherimoya:
Dig hole bigger 50% more than the roots ball, add to the hole, organic matter, dead leaves and hummus put back some soil and mix it, after this put the tree cover lightly but strong enough that won’t fall put support for the tree if needed, if the tree is not stable consider to prune, water it twice in the first day and every day for two weeks.
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seeds / Seedling / vegetative reproduction – air layering or cutting
Is it necessary to graft?
Yes
Difficulties or problems when growing:
Low amount of fruit caused by the difference blooming hours between flower for male and female and require hand pollination
Planting season:
Spring, summer, autumn
Pests and diseases:
Aphids
Pruning season:
Winter
How to prune:
Cut the outer branch, make the branches grow into each other in density, take by hand the leaves, prune the two trees that will grow, one into the other tree
Tree size?
2-5 m, 6-15 feet, (better to keep it small that will be easy to hand pollinate
Growth speed in optimal condition:
Medium growing
Water requirement:
Average amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full Sun / Half Shade
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant (indoor)?
No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes
Cherimoya tree in container:
When growing need to keep the tree small to grow it as shrub or as bonsai, consider to graft two cultivars on the same tree, container need to be 20% bigger than the root ball until the plant arrive to the desirable container, wouldn’t recommend to start from big container on small tree in this method it’s care for the viability of the soil, grow container with the tree will be the best method making enough holes in the container for good drainage also choosing soil for container important an option it’s to use peat soil, perlite and organic matter, care instruction every few years to switch the soil with big container there is no need to switch all the soil just switch part and cut some of the roots ball (can switch from the side and the top, fertilizer four time a year, need to add hummus few time a year, water it regularly and when put bottom for the pot be aware not to let the water stay there more than one day and do not over water it’s destroy the soil and the roots.
Blooming information
Bloom season:
Spring / Summer
General information about the flower
Small green-yellowish flower, separate times on the same tree female and male flower, the flowers are protogyny at first female and after becomes a male flower, female stage and male stage in the early morning in the afternoon.
Thinning the bloom:
First two years
Pollination is done by:
Beetles, bees, hand-pollinate
How to pollinate:
Hand pollination performed by collecting the male pollen by cotton swabs and pollinating the female flowers. Gathering flowers in a male form, (make sure that the flowers from weak area or not next to female flower). Keep flowers in a dark place, high humidity, preferably in a cool and ventilated place, if the flower pollen has been took out, the male flower not useful, grow two different cultivars increase the chance to get fruits another tip to increase chances to pollinate also trough dead fruits and vegetable that attract beetles like peel of watermelon and melon.
Edible Fruits
Fruit harvest season:
Summer / Autumn
Fruits pests or diseases:
Birds, aphids
What can be done with big quantities of Cherimoya fruits?
Eaten raw, juice, cakes, jam
Work requirements on the fruit:
Increase Irrigation, possible to put net under the tree to collect the fruits
How long does it take for a Cherimoya tree to bear fruit?
2-4 years, from seeds take the fruits 4 years and even more, from grafted tree can take 2-3 years, but to bear fruit in big quantities after 7-9 years
Ripening of fruit
Recommend to collect the fruit little bit before ready
How to grow Cherimoya tree from seed
Sowing requirement:
Better in peat soil with vermiculite possible in other soils, take care that the soil will be well ventilated (better result)
Saving seeds until sowing:
Dry and dark location, keep it room temperature
Sowing season:
Spring will be the best for the tree but possible in summer, and in hardiness zone 12+ possible all year
Planting spacing:
Better in different pots – because need to graft it after and some won’t establish, better to choose the best to transplant to the real location
Depth of Sowing:
3-5cm, (~1-2inches)
How to plant Cherimoya seeds:
Dig a hole bigger than the seeds cover it lightly better with peat soil or vermiculite
Conditions for seeds germinate:
Moist soil, sunny location, water regularly and don’t let it dry
Watering requires for Seeds:
Average amount of water
Germination time:
2-4 weeks
Condition of seedling:
Sunny location, humidity and moist soil
Scientific name:
Annona cherimola
Alternative names: Chirimoya, Chirimuya custard apple
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