Sugar Apple

(Annona squamosa)

CAUTION!

Do NOT ingest the seeds of sugar apples or the leaves or bark of the tree as they are considered poisonous.

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Planting Instructions

Sugar apples seeds can take upwards of 30+ days to germinate. To accelerate this process either, take sandpaper and gently rub the seed’s outer layer or soak the seed in warm water at least 24 hours before planting. Seeds should be planted horizontally 1-2 inches deep. If planting mature trees outside, plant them 5x5 meters apart.

General Information

Prefers a tropical climate with high humidity and temperatures between 73-94°F
Need full sun
Easy to harvest seeds and moderately difficult to grow
USDA zones 9-11
No specific soil is needed, but good draining soil with a pH of 7-8 is recommended
Keep soil moist during growing period
Mature trees should be watered every 2 weeks (during low growth periods, water every 2-4 weeks, and when flowering every 3-5 days)
During fruit bearing season, use a 3-10-10 fertilizer and/or aged manure to encourage best development
Mature trees can grow to be 10-20 feet tall

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Plant Care and Maintenance

In the spring, pruning is required to remove unwanted branches and shoots. Doing this may also help train the tree to grow in a desired direction. When outdoors, sugar apples are considered protandry plants in the sense that the female reproductive organelles are present during early morning and the male organelles are present during the evening. If the female stage does not get fertilized during the day, the male stage takes over during the evening and opens wider releasing pollen and encouraging insects to help pollenate the plant come morning. When fruit begins to appear, its recommended to cover it with a clear bag to avoid pest damage if outdoors.

Simple Steps to Growing Sugar Apples Indoors in Trays and Pots

1. Allow seed to soak in water at least 24 hours before planting. Proceed by placing seed in tray. To encourage sprouting, place a warm pad underneath the tray.

2. Taproots are long, therefore when it is time, move the seedling to a large pot (10-15 gallon). Fill with well-draining soil, keep plant warm and soil moist. Avoid low temperatures of 32°F or below.

3. Hand-pollenating is done by taking pollen from the male stage, storing it until the next morning when the female stage is active and inserting pollen that way.

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Harvesting Seeds

Fruit is produced around ages 3-4 and can make an average of 140 apples annually. Each apple can contain upwards of 40 seeds each. Fruit is ripe when the apple is soft all around, particularly near the crown where the apple may have begun to split. Another indicator that the fruit is ripe is by the color of the seeds. The seeds will go from a light brown color to black when they are ripe. Simply peel off the outer skin then separate the seeds from the white flesh/pulp. To harvest the fruit from the tree, cut the stem off and avoid damaging the branch.

Miscellaneous Facts

The official origins of the sugar apple are unknown but its commonly believed to have originated in India, though they are grown in other areas such as South America, southern Mexico, and even the Bahamas
Some describe the taste as very sweet, and has even been described as a mint ice cream flavor by others
Due to their poisonous nature, the seeds have been grounded into a powder and used as a fish poison and an insecticide in parts of India
Seeds have also been converted into a paste that is placed onto the scalp to rid an individual of lice

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References

Gardening Know How. “Sugar Apple Information - Learn About Growing Sugar Apple Trees,” May 10, 2021. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/annona/sugar-apple-trees.htm.

admin. “How to Grow Sugar Apples in Pots and Gardens.” Balcony Garden Web, May 15, 2021. https://balconygardenweb.com/how-to-grow-sugar-apple-growing-sugar-apple-care/.

Home Guides | SF Gate. “How to Grow Sugar Apples in Containers,” n.d. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-sugar-apples-containers-66273.html.