Seeds

Cherimoya seeds sometimes have trouble kicking off their outer shell, so to help it along, i take a large toenail clipper, and clip off about 1/8" at several points around the seed, so that you can partially see inside at several points. It isn't necessary to clip all the way around. If the edges are too thick to clip, try cracking the seed lightly with a nutcracker. The embryo is well-protected inside and usually doesn't mind the treatment.

Next, soak the seeds in room temperature water for 3 to 6 hours. Then plant them under 3/4" potting soil in a deep container (at least 5" tall), and water until the soil is moist (but not soggy). Cherimoya seedlings need a deep container, otherwise the taproot can grow deformed, which stunts their growth. Keep your seeds in a warm spot (75-85 degress F) that has some air circulation. They should sprout within 4-6 weeks.

Start them with filtered sun or 1-2 hours of direct sun. Water as needed. Once the seedlings have 3 leaves, gently transplant to an 8" deep pot, and move them into bright shade for a week. Gradually increase the amount of sun they get a little each day, until they have 1/2 day sun after 1-2 weeks. Cherimoyas prefer partial shade while young.

Remember to protect your Cherimoyas from frost, as they will not survive temperatures under 27-31 degrees F.

For more information on growing Cherimoyas, please see the links below.

For more info on growing Cherimoya, see : http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/cherimoya.html

There is also a great website on Cherimoyas here: http://cherimoya.orcon.net.nz/

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Best of luck

Strange Wonderful Things

Note - Your Cherimoya was grown in filtered light, so i don't advise giving it direct sun just yet, to prevent wilting and burning. I recommend starting it with either filtered sunlight, or 2-3 hours of morning or late afternoon sun. It's best to grow your plant in a pot for at least a month, so you can acclimate it to the sun slowly. Every 4 or 5 days, give it an extra hour or two of sun, until it is eventually in a half day's sun. Cherimoya seedlings prefer semi-shade for the first couple years.

Before sliding the plant from its pot, please water it thoroughly, so the soil doesn't break apart, which can damage the roots. If the plant is hard to slide out, stick a pen or a stick into the holes at the bottom to help push it out. Carefully plant it in a 1 or 2 gallon container. You can use regular potting soil (well-draining). You might want to support the stem by pushing a small stake into the soil, and tying the stem to the stake. After planting, water until the soil is thoroughly moist. For the first month, please make sure that the original soil ball stays moist (but not soggy).

When the roots reach the bottom of the container and poke out of the holes, it's time to carefully repot your Cherimoya into a larger container, like a 3-5 gallon, or plant her in the ground.

If the temperature tends to get over about 90 degrees in the summer, it's a good idea to give it some midday shade. If the leaves ever wilt too much, simply give it some more shade. Keep in mind that Cherimoya has naturally droopy-looking leaves.

Fertilize depending on growth - the more growth you see, the more you can feed. Be patient - giving more food than the plant needs will not force it to grow faster. Once your tree has settled into its new pot, it will grow very fast.

By the way, you may notice a light film on the leaves when your plant arrives. That's a harmless anti-transpirant spray that helps retain moisture while in the mail. It flakes off by itself in a few weeks.

For more information on growing Cherimoyas, please see the links in the left column.