How to grow sugar apple from seed in the north
To grow sugar apple seeds as a small potted plant, first wash the seeds clean and soak them in clear water for 6-8 days, then take them out. Prepare a breathable flower pot without drainage holes and loose sandy soil, sow the seeds with the sprouting point facing down, then cover with soil, water, and cover with straw; after about 20 days of care, the seeds will sprout. Then place it in a spot with bright, indirect light and good ventilation and let it grow normally.
The growing environment of the sugar apple
1. Soil
The sugar apple tree has a fairly strong ability to adapt to soil and can grow and develop normally in almost any soil. However, the main purpose of artificial cultivation is yield, so to ensure a high yield of sugar apple, the planting soil should be sandy soil with strong permeability. This is because if it is clay soil, it will affect the drainage and irrigation of the soil, hindering the sugar apple's nutrient absorption. This reduces the flowering and fruiting rate of the sugar apple, so sandy soil can effectively solve these problems. Its water and fertilizer absorption capacity is relatively strong, which is also very beneficial to the growth of the plant.
2. Temperature
The sugar apple is a warmth-loving fruit and cannot grow in low-temperature environments. The most suitable temperature for the sugar apple to grow is around 28 degrees, and it must not be lower than 15 degrees. During the sugar apple's fruit growth period, keeping the temperature at around 25-30 degrees can promote fruit expansion and increase yield. During the fruit growth period, a suitable temperature must be maintained, neither too high nor too low; when the temperature is below 14 degrees, the fruit takes a long time to mature and is highly prone to various pests and diseases. If the temperature is too high, the fruit tends to ripen early, leading to rot and reduced yield.
3. Light
Because the sugar apple is a fruit that grows in the tropics, its demand for light is relatively high. Although the sugar apple likes light, it also has a certain tolerance for shade. However, during the growth of the sugar apple, it is still necessary to ensure that the sugar apple has sufficient light duration and intensity. If the sugar apple's light requirements are not met, it will hinder the plant's growth, affect the sugar apple's photosynthesis, and reduce the sugar apple's nutrient accumulation. Especially during the fruit development period, sufficient light can effectively improve fruit quality.
4. Water
The sugar apple's demand for water is very peculiar: it needs water yet fears water. If it is in a condition of excessive water for more than 4 days, the growth of the sugar apple will be affected to a certain extent, causing the sugar apple to drop leaves and flowers. If there is a lack of water during the sugar apple's flowering period and early fruiting stage, it will reduce the sugar apple's growth rate and intensify fruit drop. Moreover, water is one of the main factors affecting fruit quality; a lack of water can also very easily cause the sugar apple to crack and reduce the fruit-setting rate. Therefore, during the planting process, it is necessary to ensure sufficient water while also making sure the water does not affect the growth of the sugar apple.