{"product_id":"custard-apple-10-bag-gra","title":"Custard Apple Grafted - 10\" Grow bag","description":"\u003cp\u003eCustard apple or sitaphal (Annona squamosa) is a small, hardy deciduous tree famed for its sweet, creamy, custard-like fruit segmented into soft white flesh. Exceptionally tolerant of heat, drought and poor soils, it thrives in India's dry and semi-arid regions with very little care, often growing semi-wild. It begins bearing within two to three years, producing heavily in late monsoon and autumn. The lobed greenish fruit and aromatic flesh are universally loved. Low-maintenance, pest-resistant and ideal for beginners, custard apple is one of the most forgiving and rewarding fruit trees for Indian home gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnnonaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-6 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-4 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous, oblong pale green leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreenish-yellow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpring to early monsoon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and semi-arid subtropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun, 6+ hours daily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate; very drought tolerant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained loam or sandy soil; tolerates poor soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20-38C; loves heat, dislikes hard frost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompost and light NPK twice a year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrune lightly in winter to shape and renew growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRepot young container plants every 2-3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeed or grafting for selected types\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMealybug, fruit borer; generally pest-hardy; use neem\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFruit edible; seeds and bark toxic if ingested\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Grown for sweet creamy fruit eaten fresh or in desserts and shakes. A drought-hardy choice for dry-region gardens and a useful pollinator-attracting tree.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;In India, custard apple thrives in hot dry areas and fruits after the monsoon; hand-pollinate flowers in the early morning to improve fruit set, and avoid waterlogging which the tree strongly dislikes.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water custard apple?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater sparingly to moderately; the tree is very drought tolerant. Increase watering during flowering and fruiting, but avoid waterlogging at all times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much sun does custard apple need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt needs full sun, at least 6 hours daily, and actually fruits best in hot, dry conditions with plenty of light.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs custard apple safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ripe flesh is non-toxic, but the seeds and bark are toxic if chewed or ingested, so keep pets from the seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I repot a potted custard apple?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRepot young plants every 2-3 years before spring into a larger, well-drained pot; eventually it prefers being planted in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate custard apple?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt grows readily from fresh seed, while grafting is used for selected sweet varieties and faster, true-to-type fruiting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy is my custard apple not setting fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePoor pollination is common. Hand-pollinate flowers early in the morning with a soft brush, and ensure full sun and warm dry conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen does custard apple fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt flowers from spring to early monsoon and fruits in late monsoon and autumn, usually starting within 2-3 years of planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan custard apple be grown indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, it needs strong sun and open space; custard apple is an outdoor tree and will not fruit indoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre the seeds of custard apple toxic?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, the seeds and bark contain toxic compounds and should never be eaten; only the sweet white flesh is safe to consume.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat fertilizer does custard apple need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed compost or manure with a light balanced NPK twice a year; it is a modest feeder and over-fertilizing is unnecessary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256102453494,"sku":"PLT-CUSTARDAPPLE-B10-GRA","price":199.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-plants-sitaphal-annona-squamosa-grafted-plant-16969326231692_600x600_1b1d132a-593d-4a7c-8cc1-4b3bcd41738f.jpg?v=1783921050","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/custard-apple-10-bag-gra","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}