Position – The Rose apple is a subtropical plant and enjoys hot, humid conditions. Plant these trees in a sunny spot with moist soil. These trees have a good resistance against wind and can even be grown as a windbreaker.
If planting in a cold, frost climate, plant your rose apple in a container and move indoors in winter.
Size – Rose apple trees can grow to between 7 and 12 metres in height.
Soil Type – Rose apple trees need moist, well-draining soil and will do well in most soils with a pH of 5 and higher. Adding plenty of compost in your soil will help the tree perform at its best.
Mulch – A thin layer of mulch will ensure that the plant can retain moisture and that the soil will likely have a healthier pH. Organic materials like straw, green pine needles, wood shavings and so on work best as a mulch.
Watering – The Rose apple tree can withstand drought but performs poorly with frost. Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
Fertilising – This tree thrives with a nutrient-rich, well-aged compost.
Pruning – Rose apple trees grow naturally with a balanced canopy, so pruning is kept at a minimum.
Harvesting – Fruits will ripen 4 months after flowering. If moisture and sunlight is not optimal, the fruit yield will be low. Harvest the fruit when they turn to a brighter colour as the fruit does not have a long shelf life.
