If you are a fan of tropical fruits, you have probably heard of Atemoya, a delicious hybrid fruit that is a cross between cherimoya and sugar apple.
While Atemoya is widely popular among fruit enthusiasts, a specific variety is causing a buzz in the tropical fruit-growing community – the Phet Pak Chong Atemoya, also known as PPC Atemoya.
In this article, we will dive into what PPC Atemoya is, its characteristics, benefits, and how to grow it.
What is Phet Pak Chong Atemoya?
PPC Atemoya is a unique variety of Atemoya originating from Thailand, specifically the Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima province.
It is named after the district where it was first cultivated and is known as “The Diamond of Pak Chong.”
PPC Atemoya is known for its large size, bumpy green exterior, and creamy white flesh with fewer seeds than other Atemoya varieties.
This atemoya variety is also prized because of its appearance, as it looks like a jumbo sugar apple (Annona squamosa).
Characteristics of PPC Atemoya
Appearance
The PPC Atemoya is larger than other Atemoya varieties, weighing up to 3 lbs. The fruit’s exterior is bumpy, green, and slightly yellowish.
The Phet Pak Chong atemoya resembles a sugar apple (Annona squamosa) from the outside as it’s said to contain 75% of sugar apple (Annona squamosa) genetics and only 25% of cherimoya (Annona cherimola) genetics.
The flesh is creamy white, and the fruit contains fewer seeds than other Atemoya varieties.
Taste and aroma
PPC Atemoya has a unique chewy and sweet flavor that differentiates it from other varieties.
The fruit’s aroma is sweet and slightly floral, similar to a combination of pineapple, banana, and vanilla custard.
Nutritional benefits of PPC Atemoya
PPC Atemoya is packed with nutrients and vitamins essential for overall health. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
It also contains antioxidants that may help prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.
How to grow PPC Atemoya
Climate and soil requirements
PPC Atemoya grows best in warm climates with temperatures between 68 and 86 °F.
It can grow in various types of soil, but it thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 8.5.
Propagation and planting
PPC Atemoya can be propagated through grafting. Planting the seeds of PPC atemoya will not result in a PPC atemoya plant.
If the seeds are planted, plant them in a seedling tray or a pot filled with soil, keeping them moist and in a warm, sunny area.
Once the seedlings are around 6 inches tall, they can be transplanted to a bigger pot or directly to the ground.
Grafting is a faster and more reliable propagation method that ensures an actual PPC atemoya plant.
The scion of the desired variety (PPC atemoya in this case) is grafted onto an Annonaceae rootstock of a related tree to produce a new plant. Typically, PPC atemoya is grafted onto cherimoya (Annona cherimola), custard apple (Annona reticulata), or a seedling of atemoya (Annona atemoya).
Care and maintenance
PPC Atemoya requires regular watering, especially during the dry season. It also needs proper pruning to maintain its shape and encourage fruit production. Leaf stripping can also be used to promote new flowers for fruit.
Fertilizers should be applied two to three times during the growing season to provide the necessary nutrients for the atemoya plant. Both organic and synthetic fertilizers work great for growing PPC atemoya.
My Favorite Phet Pak Chong (PPC) Atemoya Fertilizer
One of my favorite fertilizers to grow atemoya is Osmocote plus 15-9-12, as this was recommended to me by a friend who always had healthy and beautiful atemoya trees.
- Composed of water soluble nutrients - Granular formula is coated with a film of plastic resin
My Favorite Organic Phet Pak Chong (PPC) Atemoya Fertilizer
My go-to organic fertilizer for my PPC atemoya trees is Azomite, an all-natural mineral fertilizer mined from a natural volcanic eruption. Azomite is loaded with nutrients that support my atemoya trees to set and keep an excellent fruit set.
- AZOMITE has been shown to improve root systems, yields and general plant vigor in a variety of applications; from field crops and orchards to lawn and garden use. AZOMITE helps remineralize nutrient-depleted soils. 100% naturally derived, AZOMITE is OMRI listed for use in organic production and farming.
- Organic Trace Mineral Powder w/ 67 Essential Minerals for Your Garden Bulk Fertilizer Powder-Be Green and Grow Your Own Food. Great for blending into soil mixes, hydroponic systems, Irrigation System Injection with Agitation, Greenhouse Potting Soil, Fertilizer, Home Gardens, Potted Plants
- Improves root systemsMicronized is a powder with flour-like consistency, where 90% of the particles will pass through a 200-mesh screen., yields and plant health
- Vegetable & Flower Gardens: Apply 1/2 lb per 100 square feet or 1/2 lb per 200 ft of linear row in a 6? wide band.
- This product is OMRI-Listed for use in organic production
Harvesting and storage of PPC Atemoya
PPC Atemoya is usually ready for harvest 3 to 4 months after the fruit set. The fruit should be picked when it is still firm but slightly soft to the touch. Overripe atemoya fruit will have a mushy texture and may fall off the tree if not picked early enough.
PPC Atemoya can be stored at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. It should be stored away from other fruits as it produces ethylene gas that can cause them to ripen and spoil faster.
Culinary uses of PPC Atemoya
PPC Atemoya can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. The fruit’s creamy texture and unique sweet custard flavor make it an excellent ingredient in smoothies, ice creams, and desserts.
How to enjoy PPC Atemoya
PPC Atemoya can be enjoyed in several ways, such as:
- Eating the fruit fresh, scooping out the flesh with a spoon
- Blending the flesh into a smoothie or shake
- Using the fruit in desserts, such as pies, tarts, and cakes
- Dehydrating the atemoya
Conclusion
PPC Atemoya is a unique and flavorful variety of Atemoya that originated in Thailand. It is known for its large size, bumpy exterior, and creamy white flesh that resembles a jumbo sugar apple. It is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins and can be used in various culinary dishes. Growing PPC Atemoya requires warm temperatures, well-draining soil, and proper care and maintenance.
FAQs about PPC Atemoya
Q: What does PPC Atemoya taste like?
A: PPC Atemoya has a unique sweet flavor with custard and floral aroma, similar to a combination of pineapple, banana, and vanilla.
Q: How is PPC Atemoya different from other Atemoya varieties?
A: PPC Atemoya is more sugar apple appearing than other Atemoya varieties and has a bumpy green exterior with creamy white flesh containing fewer seeds. It also has a unique sweet and chewy flavor similar to a ‘Na Dai Vietnamese’ sugar apple.
Q: Can PPC Atemoya be grown in cold climates?
A: Although PPC Atemoya requires warm temperatures and cannot tolerate cold climates, it still has cherimoya genetics, which can generally handle colder temperatures since they are native to higher mountainous regions where it gets typically colder.
However, you will need a greenhouse if you are up north, where temperatures are constantly freezing.
Q: Is PPC Atemoya healthy?
A: Yes, PPC Atemoya is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins, including Vitamin C, fiber, and potassium
