What kind of growing environment does sugar apple (sweetsop) need?
Sugar apple is also called sweetsop, custard apple, Buddha head fruit and so on. Because its shape closely resembles the lychee, it got the name “sweetsop”, and it is a well-known fruit of tropical regions. So, what growing environment does sugar apple need? Let's learn about it together!
1. Soil
The sugar apple tree has fairly strong soil adaptability, and it can grow and develop normally in almost any soil. However, the main purpose of cultivation is yield, so to ensure a high yield of sugar apple, the planting soil should be a sandy soil with strong permeability. If it is a clayey soil, it will affect the soil's drainage and irrigation, block the sugar apple's nutrient uptake, and reduce the flowering and fruiting rate of sugar apple. Therefore, sandy soil can effectively solve these problems, as it has a strong capacity to absorb water and fertilizer, which is also very beneficial to the plant's growth.
2. Temperature
Sugar apple is a warmth-loving fruit and cannot grow in a low-temperature environment. The most suitable temperature for sugar apple growth is around 28 degrees, and it must not go below 15 degrees. During the fruit growth period of sugar apple, keeping the temperature at around 25-30 degrees can promote fruit enlargement 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 ripen and is highly prone to various pests and diseases; when the temperature is too high, the fruit tends to ripen prematurely, leading to rot and reduced yield.
3. Light
Because sugar apple is a fruit that grows in the tropics, its demand for light is relatively high. Although sugar apple likes light, it also has some shade tolerance. However, during the growth of sugar apple, it is still necessary to ensure sufficient light duration and intensity for the sugar apple. If the sugar apple's light requirements are not met, the plant's growth will be hindered, affecting the sugar apple's photosynthesis and reducing its nutrient accumulation. Especially during the fruit development period, sufficient light can effectively improve fruit quality.
4. Water
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 some degree, causing leaf drop and flower drop. If there is a lack of water during the flowering period and the early fruiting stage of sugar apple, the growth rate of the sugar apple will be reduced, and the fruit drop phenomenon will worsen. Water is one of the main factors affecting fruit quality. A lack of water can also easily cause fruit cracking in sugar apple and reduce the fruit set rate. Therefore, during cultivation, sufficient water must be ensured, and the water must not be excessive, so as not to affect the growth of the sugar apple.
The above is the growing environment for sugar apple compiled for you by the Tuliu Network editor. If you have suitable conditions, you might consider growing sugar apple.