A Guide to Growing Rare and Unusual Tropical Fruits in Florida
Florida’s warm climate and diverse ecosystem make it the perfect place to grow a wide range of rare and unusual tropical fruits.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of these fascinating fruits, including sugar apple, cherilata, soursop, and more, and provide tips on how to grow them successfully in your garden.
Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa)
Sugar apple is a sweet, custard-like fruit native to the tropical Americas. It’s part of the Annonaceae family, which also includes custard apple and cherimoya.
Sugar apples are easy to grow and can thrive in Florida’s climate. To get started, check out our guide on how to grow a sugar apple tree in Florida.
For more information about sugar apple varieties, visit our post on exploring the different varieties of Annona squamosa.
Atemoya (Annona × atemoya)
Atemoya is a hybrid of sugar apple and cherimoya, and it has a delicious, creamy texture.
It’s well-suited for Florida’s climate, and you can learn more about the differences between atemoya and sugar apple in our post on atemoya vs. sugar apple.
For tips on growing an atemoya tree in Florida, check out our guide on how to grow an atemoya tree.
Soursop (Annona muricata)
Soursop is another Annonaceae family member known for its tangy flavor and potential health benefits.
To learn more about soursop and how it compares to custard apple, read our article on soursop vs. custard apple.
For more information on the golden yellow soursop variety, visit our post on all about the golden yellow soursop.
Cherilata Fruit
Cherilata fruit is a lesser-known tropical fruit that’s worth exploring. To learn more about this exotic fruit, read our post on what is a Cherilata fruit.
Tips for Growing Rare and Unusual Tropical Fruits in Florida
- Choose the right time to plant: Learn about the best time to plant fruit trees in Florida to ensure a successful harvest.
- Select the right soil: Understand the best types of soils to plant with to provide your fruit trees with the nutrients they need.
- Fertilize appropriately: Use the best tropical fruit tree fertilizers to encourage healthy growth and fruit production.
- Protect from cold temperatures: Some tropical fruits are sensitive to cold weather. Learn how to protect your seedlings from the cold to survive during cooler months.
- Manage pests and diseases: Keep an eye on your fruit trees and address any issues early on. For example, if you notice your sugar apples turning black, read our post on why sugar apples turn black and how to address this problem.
- Prune correctly: Regular pruning is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of your fruit trees. Learn when and how to prune sugar apple and atemoya trees to promote optimal growth.
- Hand-pollinate when necessary: Some tropical fruit trees may require hand-pollination to ensure fruit production. For instance, read our guide on how to hand-pollinate sugar apple or atemoya flowers in Florida to improve your harvest.
- Choose the right planting method: Depending on your fruit tree and garden space, you may need to decide whether to plant in the ground or in a container. For example, consider whether you should plant a sugar apple in the ground or in a pot.
- Source your trees from reputable nurseries: To ensure you’re getting high-quality fruit trees, choose from our list of the top 10 online fruit tree nurseries in Florida.
- Expand your fruit tree knowledge: Learn more about the variety of fruits that grow in Florida by reading our guide on what fruits grow in Florida, and discover what fruit trees grow the best in Florida.
By following these tips and exploring the wealth of information available on our website, you’ll be well on your way to growing a diverse and thriving tropical fruit garden in Florida. Happy tropical fruit gardening!
