Where Are Sugar Apples Grown? A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods

Sugar apple is also called custard apple, Buddha head fruit and so on. Because its shape closely resembles the lychee, it got the name “sugar apple”. It is a famous fruit of tropical regions. So, where are sugar apples grown? How are sugar apples planted? Let's find out together!

1. Where are sugar apples grown?

The sugar apple (custard apple) originated in the tropical regions of the Americas. In China it is cultivated in Hainan, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan. The sugar apple loves light and a warm, humid climate, requires an annual average temperature above 22 degrees, is not cold-tolerant, and grows best in deep, fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil. Its main fruit ripening period is from June to November.

2. How are sugar apples planted?

1. Planting time

Custard apple trees are generally planted around March in spring, when the temperature is just rising, which favors plant growth. In low-temperature areas, however, methods such as plastic film mulching or greenhouse plastic tunnels should be used to raise the temperature. The sugar apple's flowering period is in summer, from May to June, and its fruiting period is from June to November.

2. Propagation methods

There are two ways to plant custard apple: growing from seed and grafted seedlings. For growing from seed, choose healthy, disease-free seeds, and after a series of treatments, sow them in suitable soil. When planting, the seeds should not be buried too deep; water to keep the soil moist, and the seeds will sprout. Grafted seedlings generally use the branch grafting method in spring and the bud grafting method in summer, to cultivate fine saplings.

3. Orchard management

During the seedling stage, the plants are generally watered once every 3-5 days; in drought conditions, water once a day; conversely, in rainy weather, extend the watering interval. If rainfall is excessive, drain promptly. When the saplings grow to have 6-8 leaves, they can be watered with some thin manure water or low-concentration urea solution. As the plants grow, gradually increase the concentration of the fertilizer solution. In the later stage of seedling growth, apply potassium fertilizer or compound fertilizer to cultivate strong seedlings and speed up their growth. In addition, during management, attention should be paid to pest and disease control. Custard apple trees suffer from insect pests, and the main disease is root rot, so prevention and control measures should be well carried out.

4. Pruning

When the plant grows to a certain extent, it should be pruned in good time. This can not only make it grow thick and strong but also make it more attractive and make the fruit plumper. When pruning, usually the branches are pruned, keeping 2-3 robust branches as the main branches, and on the main branches likewise keeping 2-3 side branches. Prune repeatedly in this way to promote branching. When planting in the south, control the height of the plant to avoid being affected by typhoon weather and causing unnecessary losses. In the rainy period, cultivate soil around the plant in good time to prevent water from accumulating at the roots.

The above is the origin and planting methods of the sugar apple compiled by the editor. We hope it can help you!