Annona
Description
Tropical fruit, taste combines banana and pineapple
Oval-shaped with scaly skin
White pulp with brown seeds
Trees flower after 3 years of planting
Average yield: 120–250 fruits per tree
Nutritional value & benefits
Vitamin C: 30 mg per fruit, boosts immunity and tissue repair
Vitamin B6: Supports metabolism, nervous system, relieves stress
Fiber: 5 g per fruit, improves digestion, lowers blood sugar, prevents constipation
Antioxidants: Polyphenols protect against free radicals
Minerals: Potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, manganese – good for heart and blood pressure
Carbohydrates: Glucose and fructose 81–93% of total sugar
Fat: Very low, 0.3 g per 100 g
Growing conditions
Climate
Tolerates summer heat and moderate winter cold
Suitable for temperate and subtropical areas
Soil
Light, fertile loamy soil with good drainage
Can grow in clay or sandy soil with proper fertilization
Tolerates calcareous soil
Watering
Drought-tolerant, but regular watering increases yield
Heavy soil: weekly in summer, monthly in winter
Sandy/light soil: every 4–5 days summer, every 15–20 days winter
Avoid overwatering
Fertilization
Depends on soil, tree age, and fruiting status
Yellow soil: organic + superphosphate in winter, organic + compost in autumn
Sandy soil: add mineral fertilizers similarly
Planting distance
Regular soil: 5 × 7 m
Light/sandy soil: 3.5 × 5 m
Pruning
Training: natural shape with open center for light and air
Fruiting trees: remove dead/diseased branches, thin congested branches, shorten main branches for easier maintenance and larger fruits
Propagation
Seeds
Cuttings
Grafting
Seed planting method
Select sweet variety
Wash and dry seeds
Plant in sandy soil 1 cm deep
Maintain moisture and shade
Remove weeds regularly
Prune in winter to enhance growth and yield
Pest control: fruit fly, mealybugs, scale insects
Harvest May–June
Trees bear fruit at 2–3 years, 50–150 fruits, up to 250 in some varieties
Varieties
Indian Cherimoya (A. cherimola): small deciduous tree, leaves 10–25 cm, pale green creamy fruit, ripe Oct–Nov
Bullock’s Heart (A. reticulata): medium tree, frost-tolerant, round/oval fruit, ripe June–July, white/creamy pulp
