Description

This listing is for rare red custard apple seeds that are harvested from my custard apple tree in South Florida. The fruit is also known as corazón or cherimoya Cubana. The seeds are shipped dry and inside of a paper packet. Properly dried custard apple seeds remain viable only for a few months. These seeds need to be planted as soon as possible after you receive them.

In order to grow these seeds I recommend soaking them for a few hours in water and using the paper towel method to germinate them. You can also plant some of the seeds in pots. The seeds take 2-4 weeks to germinate. They also need warm temperatures throughout (mid 70 to mid 80 degrees Fahrenheit).  

The custard apple is a tropical fruit with custard like flesh. It is a close relative of sugar apple (Annona squamosa) and soursop (Annona muricata). The flesh is segmented, creamy, sweet, and white to pink in color. The custard apple belongs to the family Annonaceae, which is also known as the Annona family. It is used fresh and in certain sweet recipes. The skin, seeds, and central core of the fruit are inedible. Custard apples have less seeds than a sugar apple does. 

On average the custard apple grows between 3-6 inches in diameter. Overall, the fruit has a heart shape, however, it can sometimes have a more irregular shape. 

The ripe fruit has a dark red skin that is smooth and quite thin. When the fruit is unripe it is very hard and the skin is a dark purple color. As the fruit matures and ripens it softens while the skin becomes more vibrant and takes on a more red like color.

The fruit must be harvested before it fully softens. If left to fully ripen on the tree then it is likely to fall down onto the ground and break open. When the fruit has grown quite large it is important to regularly check it for ripeness. We like to check the fruits everyday once we see that they have grown quite large. We look to see if there has is any color change in the skin and we also feel the fruit for any softness. If there is any softness to the fruit then we harvest it using garden shears. We leave the fruit on the counter till they are fully soft and ripe. You know they are ready to eat when they smell sweet and can easily be peeled with your fingers.

I have seen my tree flower throughout the year so technically it is possible to harvest fruit throughout the year. However, the tree has a main fruiting season during the spring months. Our tree in South Florida this year produced ripe fruit for us in March.

This fruit tree is tropical to sub-tropical and can withstand some colder temperatures. It can be grown in zone 8-9 and higher, however, if it is well protected from colder nights I think it can be grown in colder climates. The trees are semi deciduous and drop most of their leaves in the winter. The tree also prefers full sun and a humid climate. Many Annona species are very easily toppled over by wind so choose a planting location that is protected from the wind.

The custard apple is a fruit tree, which makes it a perennial. It is most commonly grown from seed. Seed grown trees take around 2-4 years to reach maturity and bear fruit. Only one tree is needed for pollination. The tree flowers heavily but does not set many fruits. For larger harvests it is recommended to hand pollinate it.

The custard apple tree has a tall and lanky shape with many branches intersecting one another. If left unpruned it will have many branches that rub against each other and damage the bark. Pruning it can help give the tree a more uniform shape. The trees can reach around 15 to 35 feet tall. I do not know how well custard apple trees do when grown in a pot. For the best results I recommend planting it in the ground if possible.