Plant family: Annonaceae
Plant origin: The Atemoya is a hybrid of two Annona species: Annona cherimola (also known as the Cherimoya) and Annona squamosa (also known as the Sugar Apple).
These are native to the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina
Fruit description: The custard apple is a large, pale green, heart shaped, bumpy looking fruit. Each weighs up to 700g. There are several inedible seeds within the flesh, which are 1 cm long. These are easily removed. The flesh is soft, white, fragrant, delicious, and sweet. It is very creamy, resembling custard.
Flowers: The flowers are yellow, and fragrant. They are produced in October to January. They are unusual in that they have a short life, beginning as females and becoming male later the second day.
Growing conditions: The Custard Apple tree is a dense spreading semi-deciduous tree. Its branches can hang down to the ground. It grows to 6 metres high, with attractive velvety leaves. The large long or heart shaped leathery leaves are shed in late Spring before flowering. The young plant should be staked and protected from wind. The Custard Apple prefers well drained soil and a sunny position. It is moderately frost-tolerant.
Rain may cause the nearly ripe fruit to split.
Pruning will help produce better fruit and make it easier to harvest. The tree must be strong to support the heavy and prolific crop and to protect the fruit and flowers. It also affects pollination.
Uses: Eat custard apples when very slightly soft (like a ripe avocado) but before the skin turns brown or splits. Remove the seeds, then puree the flesh and eat it like mousse or use in other desserts. You can freeze the flesh as it is, and mix it with other fruits or juices and enjoy it like ice-cream. Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator.
Medicinal uses:
Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating. The flowers are hermaphroditic (male and female parts). The pollen is not active for very long.
Bees cannot fit inside the female flower so pollination can be done by other insects, by hand, or by wind if trees are close together.
Harvest time You can expect fruit when the tree is 1 year old. Harvest your custard apples in April to September when they are large and green. Store out of the sun. They can ripen after picking, at room temperature. They ripen faster in the presence of other fruit.
Plant relatives Cherimoya, Brazil Custard Apple, Soursop, Ylang Ylang
Special features:
Grown by method: Grafted Pot size: 6 litre
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2.5 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 4 metres high by 4 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 6 litre
