Annona fruit seeds

Common name: Custard apple Scientific name: Annona sp Also called: Indian pineapple A medium-sized evergreen tree, its leaves are lance-shaped and sharp, beginning to fall before new growth appears. It reaches a height of up to 7 meters and is from the fruits of hot regions. Uses and benefits: • Used as an ornamental tree in gardens, and its fruits are edible, sweet-tasting, and have health benefits. Original habitat: • Tropical areas in the American continent, and its cultivation is also widespread in Arab countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine. It is cultivated in Saudi Arabia and many regions around the world. The fruit and seeds: • It bears fruit in October. Its fruits are oval, heavy, and have a sweet taste. The color is yellowish green, covered with prominent segments that separate when ripe. Inside the fruit, there is white pulp and seeds. The flower: • Its flowers appear on the sides like grapes, either singly or in pairs, and are characterized by a long flowering season. Suitable climatic conditions and soil for cultivation: • It tolerates cold weather and high temperatures and needs sufficient sunlight. The best soil for cultivating custard apple is fertile loamy soil, and it also grows well in clay and sandy soils. Method and timing of planting: • It propagates in three ways: seeds, cuttings, and grafting. When planting by seeds, soak them in water for two days before germination. The best time to plant is in spring, ensuring the location is protected from wind. The seedlings appear after 3 weeks of planting the seeds in the soil. Water them well during growth, fertilize every three months, and prune regularly to strengthen the tree for bearing heavy fruit. Custard apple usually bears fruit after 3 years of planting.