Cherimoya

Profile

Family

Annonaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

9 m

Spread

9 m

Growth

fast

Lifespan

50 years

First yield

after 5 years

Hardiness

zone 10–12

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt

Soil moisture

dry – very moist

pH

5.5 – 7.5

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Frucht (roh) (aus der Hand oder gelöffelt, am besten wenn weich) (Eiscreme, Pudding, Kuchen), ~15t/ha = 1125kcal/m²; Samen giftig!

Medicinal: Rural residents roast, peel, and grind one or two seeds, taking the powder with water or milk as an effective emetic and laxative. The powder, when mixed with fat, is applied to parasitic skin conditions. A decoction made from the fruit peel is consumed to alleviate pneumonia.

Other uses: Evaluation of other uses: Low (3/5). Cherimoya can be utilized as a fruit tree in agroforestry systems, providing shade and integrating well into various cultivation systems. Its seeds are crushed and used as insecticides. Seeds mixed with fat and powdered are employed to kill lice. 1. Nectar sources - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes - Many Annona species (such as Cherimoya, Atemoya, and Sugar Apple) have flowers that attract pollinators, especially beetles, due to their pollen. 2. Wildlife - Food (fruits, seeds, leaf litter, shelter, nesting site, roosting site): Yes, the fruits of Annona species are edible and can feed wildlife, while their leaves can provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and other small animals. 3. Protection for invertebrates (overwintering sites, leaf litter, ground cover): Yes - The leaf litter from Annona trees can offer protection to invertebrates, and their bark can provide overwintering sites for certain insects. 4. Pest confusers (odor): No - Annona species do not produce strong, aromatic scents known to confuse or deter pests.

Growing

The Cherimoya thrives best in tropical lowland areas, preferring elevations above 700 meters but can grow up to 2,400 meters. It can also be cultivated in subtropical and warm-temperate regions that are practically frost-free. The ideal soil for Cherimoya is moist, sandy loam with a pH around 6. It shows good growth in a wide range of soil types, from light to heavy, but seems to perform best in moderately fertile soils of medium weight. The tree requires protection from strong winds that can affect pollination and fruit set. Cherimoya cultivation has declined in some areas but has become established in subtropical to tropical climates. The fruit-bearing typically starts between 3 to 5 years of age, increasing steadily from the 5th to the 10th year. Hand pollination is highly recommended due to inadequate natural pollination, with male and female flower structures not maturing simultaneously. Cherimoya fruits are usually harvested from late autumn to early winter, while flowering occurs from late spring to early summer. Cherimoyas grow moderately fast, taking 3 to 4 years after planting to bear fruit.

Propagation

Seed – usually pure [200]. Sow in individual, shallow pots (maximum 2 cm) at 21°C [200]. Cherimoya seeds remain viable for 2-3 years if stored dry and protected from weevils and fungi. Seeds germinate at around 21 days with soil warmth at 20°C, or about 40 days under normal growth conditions [303]. Many species in this genus have hard seed coats that can be scarified before sowing to hasten germination. Typically, this is done by pouring some boiling water over the seeds (be cautious not to boil!) and then soaking them in warm water for 12-24 hours. By this time, they should have absorbed moisture and swelled. If not, gently scarify the coat (taking care not to damage the embryo) and soak the seeds for another 12 hours before sowing. Semi-ripe cuttings [200]. Cuttings from mature wood will root in coral sand with soil warmth within 28 days [303].

Notable

Besonderheiten: aus dem subtropischen Hochland der Anden 1500-2000m, mag sie kein tropisches immerfeuchtes Klima, optimaler Jahresmittel ~ 19°C und 800-1000mm Jahresniederschlag auf gut durchlässigem sandigen Lehm; Seit Mitte 18.Jh auch im südlichsten Spanien/Italien an der Küste bei ausreichend Bewässerung in Blüte- und Fruchtbildungs-zeit;

Origin & habitat

Peru, Ecuador, Colombia

Stable sand dunes, coastal shrubland, and pine forests near the coast.

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