Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa) Thai Noy Nah Nhung Fruit Tree

Description

Sugar-apple is the fruit of Annona squamosa, the most widely grown species of Annona and a native of the tropical Americas and West Indies. The fruit is round to conical, 2.0–3.9 in diameter and 62.4–3.9 in long, and weighing 3.5–8.5 oz, with a thick rind composed of knobby segments. The color is typically pale green to blue-green, with a deep pink blush in certain varieties, and typically has a bloom. It is unique among Annona fruits in being segmented, and the segments tend to separate when ripe, exposing the interior. The flesh is fragrant and sweet, creamy white to light yellow, and resembles and tastes like custard. It is found adhering to 0.51–0.63 in long seeds to form individual segments arranged in a single layer around the conical core. It is soft, slightly grainy, and slippery. The hard, shiny seeds may number 20-38 or more per fruit, and have a brown to black coat, although varieties exist that are almost seedless. Sugar apple trees produce fruits within a few years from seeding (2-4 yrs) and 8 months to 1 year on grafted trees. Flowers appear with new leaf growth in early spring. Fruits ripen 3-4 months later throughout summer and fall. Hardy to about 27F. Grow in full sun. The plant generally adapts well to a variety of soil types. Sugar apples make excellent container plants, so if you don't have much space try growing these in a 10 or 15 gallon tub, and they will still reward you with a number of delicious fruit. Older trees may continue fruiting into January during warm winter. Trees reach full dormancy during cold winters. We ate fruits in Florida and they reminded us about our enjoyment time back home in Thailand during sugar apple season. It is proven that Sugar Apple on the U.S soil is as sweet as Sugar Apple (Noy Nah) on Thailand soil. This plant will not disappoint you when the tree produces fruits for you.