High-yield management methods for sugar apple, the fruit that tastes like ice cream

Sugar apple is also called custard apple, Buddha head fruit, and so on. Because its shape closely resembles a lychee, it got the name “sugar apple”. It is a famous fruit of tropical regions. So, what high-yield management methods are there for sugar apple? Let's learn about them together!

1. Planting conditions

Sugar apple is a tropical fruit that likes warmth and moisture. The growing temperature for sugar apple should be controlled at around 22 degrees, and during the planting process it needs a large amount of water. The air humidity level must not be lower than 70%. To grow high-yield sugar apple, you need to control the growing environment well, so that sugar apple has sufficient nutrients and water for growth, enhance the growth of sugar apple trees, and increase the fruit-setting rate of sugar apple. You should also do a good job of drainage and irrigation in the orchard and set up good windbreaks.

2. Reasonable seedling raising

Before sowing and raising seedlings, the seeds should be sun-dried and seed-dressed to increase the germination rate. The seedling bed should preferably be chosen in a sunny, wind-sheltered place. Before planting, plow and sun-expose the soil, then apply sufficient base fertilizer, mix it thoroughly with the soil, and then trim the furrows and ridges. After sowing, promptly cover with fine soil and plastic film, compact it, and water promptly. Sugar apple seeds like water but are also afraid of waterlogging, so during seedling raising you must pay attention to controlling moisture, to prevent excessive water accumulation from causing root rot, and too little from lowering the germination rate. Also, after the seedlings emerge, uncover the plastic film to prevent the seedlings from being crushed.

3. Timely field planting

The field planting time for sugar apple is generally around the Start of Spring each year. In tropical regions it can be appropriately earlier, and if grown in a greenhouse it can be delayed until around Qingming Festival, because by then the temperature has gradually risen again, which is very favorable for the growth of sugar apple. Before field planting, the trees should first be trimmed and disinfected, and healthy seedlings with no disease, no pests, and no obvious wounds should be selected as planting stock. If nutrients and water are insufficient, before planting the roots also need to be soaked in water for about 4 hours.

4. Flower and fruit management

To increase the yield of sugar apple and achieve the goal of high yield, artificial pollination is needed during the flowering period of sugar apple, because the success rate of natural pollination in sugar apple is not high and the amount of fruit set is relatively small. During artificial pollination, you can use a brush or similar item to dip pollen onto the female flowers. When fruiting begins, check the fruit regularly, and promptly remove fruits that are abnormally shaped, diseased, or thin and weak. Also do a good job of bagging to prevent disturbance by birds and insects, reduce the disease rate, and enhance fruit quality.

Sugar apple has promising planting prospects and rich economic value. If you do a good job of management during the growing period, you can achieve high yield and obtain higher profits. Have you learned all the management points above?