For all sugar apple lovers, deciding whether to plant your sugar apple in a pot or ground is something we all have to face. Maybe you don’t have the land and have to grow it in a pot, or maybe you want to plant it in the ground but also want it in your favorite pot. This article will help you decide what you should do with your favorite sugar apple tree.
Sugar apple or Annona squamosa is a tropical tree widely grown in Florida. It is loved for its sugary custard taste and sweet aroma.
The grand question is it better to grow sugar apple in a pot or in the ground – here are the factors that matter and the pros and cons of doing so.
About the sugar apple tree
Sugar apple trees can grow 15-20 feet and spread out. Sugar apple roots are shallow – so if you are considering potting it think of a planter consider one that is both wide and deep to accommodate the roots. Sugar apples are not very tolerant of excessively wet or flooded soil conditions, flooding as little as 7 – 10 days may result in root rot and death of the tree.
The leaves of a sugar apple are a green color with a smooth texture and round-shaped appearance.
In Florida, the sugar apple fruit can sell for quite a lot at your local market. Many cultivators of this fruit in Florida do so for the use of commerce making quite the sum. (Check out this article here of the best fruit to grow in Florida to make money.)
Growing Sugar Apple in Pot
Grow your sugar apple in a pot if you
- Don’t have the yard or space to plant the sugar apple
- Have no fertile land available
- Are located in a flood zone that floods often
- Are located in a colder climate and need to move your sugar apple
- Want to maintain the size while in a pot
- Want to move the sugar apple around for decoration
Growing Sugar Apple in the ground
Grow your sugar apple in the ground if you
- Want to establish a long term fruiting sugar apple tree
- Want to leave in one spot and manage from where its planted
- Establish a stronger tree overtime
Which planter should I use to plant my sugar apple?
Sugar apple tree roots are shallow so a pot that can hold at least 5 gallons of dirt is recommended. Here are a few planters that would be great with a sugar apple tree (Annona squamosa).
How to plant sugar apple in a Pot
- Pick your planter and add your desired soil mix. Sugar apples like and are well adapted to soils that well-drained – this includes sandy soils and limestone-based soils found all around Florida. You may add fertilizer tom your sugar apple tree. If planting with sandy soil it is recommended a fertilizer formulations such as 2-8-8, 4-8-8, 6-6-6-3, or 8-6-9-5 or similar materials.
- Take sugar apple and gently scratch the base of the root system all around to allow the roots to untangle and be able to loosen up to its new planter.
- Add a mulching material around the base of your planter. It is recommended to mulch your sugar apples grown in planters due to the plant not being tolerant of colder weather conditions. Mulching also prevents fertilizer from splashing back or out of the planter as well as maintain soil moisture – so it’s recommended to add mulch your sugar apple.
Growing sugar apple in a pot will ensure your maximum mobility with your sugar apple tree. During the colder months in Florida, it is highly recommended to move the tree into a greenhouse or provide a degree of warmth. (Check out this article here on the most affordable greenhouses for your Florida garden.)
