Cherimoya trees prefer a moist, free-draining loam, rich in compost. Nutritional Value Very few problems have been noted in California except for infestations of mealybugs, especially at the base of the fruit, and these can be flushed off. The project five cherimoya trees produced an average annual marketable yield of 30.0 pounds. Because of this, you must hard-pollinate the flowers by transferring the pollen from one flower to the mature stigma on another. These small pretty trees are best in a sheltered spot, interplanted with other subtropicals. Overripe fruit can split insuring rapid decay. Some of the other trees widely grown are Annona reticulata, Annona cherimola (cherimoya) and Annona scleroderma. The cherimoya (Annona cherimola), also spelled chirimoya and called chirimuya by the Inca people, is an edible fruit-bearing species of the genus Annona from the family Annonaceae.They were believed to be native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile, spreading through cultivation to the Andes and Central America. They are a spreading tree and the fruit produced is sweet. The cherimoya tree (Annona cherimola) is a fruit-producing tree native to Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia, according to Purdue University. In Australia Custard Apple trees are grown in Queensland, and will reach between 3 and 10m in height depending on variety. But they have been found to have originated in Central America. The male and female parts of the flower each mature at different times. This is a small tree and looks stunning in a container and is ideally suited espaliered along a fence or wall. Cost of Production. In Colombia, on the other hand, it is said that a perfectly healthy tree is a rarity. This is an underrated tree mainly due to its obscurity. Detailed step-by-step information on growing custard apple in container from seed is given and taking its care, when it is ripe and how to eat it. In the United States, the trees can only be grown outdoors in California, Hawaii and Florida or anywhere within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and 10. In Australia they are often grown on Cherimoya rootstock, so we are looking at grafted varieties in commercial production as well as those sold for home gardens. Timing of harvest is crucial and care must be taken with harvested fruit. The cherimoya tree is resistant to nematodes. According to a famous plant explorer; David Fairchild "cherimoya ranks in delicacy of flavour and texture with the best fruit that grow". In other locations the cherimoya can be grown indoors in a pot. While cherimoya fruit are easy to care for, one thing that makes them difficult to grow is fertilizing the flowers. Landscape Value. 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