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Custard Apple Tree

R300.00

Annona reticulata

Custard apples are medium to large fruits with a brown to red exterior skin. It is also known as bullock’s heart. The flesh of the fruit is white and creamy, containing black non-edible seeds scattered throughout. It has a sweet slightly chewy and custardy flavour with a hint of mango and banana. The texture is soft and custardy.

 

A large, deciduous tree with a 23 – 35cm trunk. The pleasant sweet-smelling trumpet shaped flowers do not open fully. Flowers will be plentiful but only a small number survive. This being so, the tree will still produce large numbers of custard apples.

 

The fruits ripen in late winter and early spring when most other summer fruits are not available. Avoid planting in soils that previously grew ginger, eggplant, capsicums, tomatoes and potatoes.

 

Appearance – The fruits are 8 – 16cm in size and can be heart-shaped, lopsided, nearly round or oblate with a depression at the base.

 

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SKU: CUS001 Categories: ,

Position – Full sun at least 6mt away from structures, powerlines or other trees. Try to shelter from strong winds. Best to plant your tree in late winter. Cover with frost cover for the first few winters.

Size – 5 – 6 metres but if not pruned can grow to a height of 10 metres.

Soil Type – Preferably a very well drained sandy loam soil. They will also do well in normal ground or potting soil. The initial hole for planting must be, at least, 1m deep. If this is not possible, it is best to
plant in mounds.

Watering – They enjoy summer rainfall areas. Young trees need a good soaking every 2 weeks for the first few years except in winter. When fruits are fully grown, refrain from watering.

Mulch – Custard Apple Trees are fast growers and respond well to being mulched regularly with well matured organic matter.

Fertilising – Regular feeding with an organic fertiliser.

Pruning – Start pruning the tree when it is young. As the leaves of the Custard Apple Tree are large and droopy, ideally create an open vase shape with an open canopy to allow for light to penetrate. Short twigs will shed after flowering and fruiting.

Harvesting – The fruit should be picked only when it is yellow. If picked green, it will not ripen well and the fruit will be inferior.

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