CUSTARD APPLE
The Asimina triloba is a deciduous custard apple and the most cold tolerant, taking temperatures of perhaps 7 degrees C or more below freezing. The fruit is the largest edible fruit native to America, it's colour varies from green to yellow, turning brown to black after a frost [Callaway, M B, 'A tropical fruit for temperate climates'].
Propagation is usually from seed, with chip budding of seedlings being mostly used to propagate select cultivars.
Seeds need 60-100 days stratification at from 2-4 degrees in moist spagnum moss, or perhaps peat or even try the more environmentally coconut fibre C (stick them in the fridge). Germinate the seed in well drained potting mix at 25-27 degrees C and expect from 45-90 days for germination.
The fruit can have flesh from orange to white and has a custard like texture.
The flowers are large with 6 purple petals and multiple ovaries, which can mean a cluster of fruit from one flower.
The trees grow to 10m high and handle partial shade. They like regular watering and respond to mulch well.
The fruit often have from 10 to 14 large brown to black seeds a similar shape and size to lima beans, the seeds form rows in the fruit. The fruit ripen in autumn and don't store well.
Note from C. Thornton: Cold hardy cherimoya 'Fino de Jete' grows easily from seed as far south as Melbourne. Simply plant fresh seed in potting mix, put the pot out in the garden and keep the soil damp. It germinates after a few weeks.
The Asimina triloba is a deciduous custard apple and the most cold tolerant, taking temperatures of perhaps 7 degrees C or more below freezing. The fruit is the largest edible fruit native to America, it's colour varies from green to yellow, turning brown to black after a frost [Callaway, M B, 'A tropical fruit for temperate climates'].
Propagation is usually from seed, with chip budding of seedlings being mostly used to propagate select cultivars.
Seeds need 60-100 days stratification at from 2-4 degrees in moist spagnum moss, or perhaps peat or even try the more environmentally coconut fibre C (stick them in the fridge). Germinate the seed in well drained potting mix at 25-27 degrees C and expect from 45-90 days for germination.
The fruit can have flesh from orange to white and has a custard like texture.
The flowers are large with 6 purple petals and multiple ovaries, which can mean a cluster of fruit from one flower.
The trees grow to 10m high and handle partial shade. They like regular watering and respond to mulch well.
The fruit often have from 10 to 14 large brown to black seeds a similar shape and size to lima beans, the seeds form rows in the fruit. The fruit ripen in autumn and don't store well.
Note from C. Thornton: Cold hardy cherimoya 'Fino de Jete' grows easily from seed as far south as Melbourne. Simply plant fresh seed in potting mix, put the pot out in the garden and keep the soil damp. It germinates after a few weeks.