How is the soursop cultivation?

Soursop is a large fruit

Soursop is the fruit of the soursop, which is a tropical tree that can reach a maximum height of ten meters. It is very interesting, as it has medicinal properties that cannot be ignored. In fact, it is a good ally of the heart and, in addition, it can be used as an anticancer.

Of course, knowing what we know now, Who wouldn't want to learn everything about growing soursop? Surely not you, right? Well, without further ado, we will teach you how to grow this magnificent plant.

What are their characteristics?

The guanabano tree is evergreen

Soursop, whose scientific name is annona muricata, is an evergreen tree native to the tropical regions of Central America. This can reach a height close to 10 meters, although its average height is usually between 6 and 8 meters.

The branches of this tree are thin, but despite that they show great strength and one of the characteristics to recognize that we are in front of a specimen of these, is the intense smell produced by their bracts, which at times can feel too strong.

It has hard, oblong or elliptical leaves that are between 5 and 15 centimeters long. These are smooth in texture and grow alternately on the thin branches. They have an intense green color, which is darker on the upper side and is lighter on the underside.

The flowers, which sprout from the same branches, are solitary and measure about 3 cm. In its composition you will see six petals of a soft yellow color in its most developed stage and more greenish in development, something that also brings a certain ornamental beauty to the tree.

This flower is made up of three sepals and the moment of pollen release occurs together with its opening at dawn. The fruit, the soursop, has an oval shape, measures up to 40 cm and can weigh between 2 and 5 kg.

The shape of this fruit is usually oval and symmetrical, but this symmetry can be affected by different inconveniences, such as the attack of pests or a difference in the pollination of its different faces.

Inside this we will see that it has a white pulp with many flattened, ovoid seeds. Its flavor is generally acid, although there are different varieties and each one of them shows different flavors, some of these being sweeter.

How is it cared for and cultivated?

If you want to get a copy, we recommend providing the following care:

Location

This is an outdoor tree, which develops best in semi-shadow. It can withstand direct exposure to the sun, but growing in tropical environments, the alternation between light and shade is its preferred habitat.

Earth

The best type of soil for this tree is one that remains constantly moist. The pH of the soil has to be acidic, from 5,5 to 6,5. In its composition, the soil must be sandy and have a good drainage characteristic.

  • Flower pot: Taking into account the pH of the soil, a substrate for acidic plants that we can buy here is suitable. Also and especially in this case of being grown in a pot, it is recommended to use fertilizers, which provide phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium.
  • Garden: Being a tree that can reach a great height, it also develops deep roots, so a deep soil rich in organic matter will be necessary.

Irrigation

During the warmer months you have to water 3-4 days a week; the rest of the year every 5-6 days a week. It is a tree that resists irrigation techniques such as gravity or furrow irrigation.

Fertilizer

Soursop is a tropical fruit

From spring to autumn with organic fertilizers, such as guano (we can buy it here in powder and here in liquid). Phosphorus and nitrogen in a balanced way are very important fertilizers for this type of tree in times of growth, something that will also contribute to a greater development of its roots.

In any case, it is always advisable to carry out a preliminary analysis of the state and the nutrients that the soil has where it will be cultivated, to know what type of subscriber will be the one indicated for the specimen.

Harvest

It is known that the time of harvest can be between 70 and 120 days after flowering. The recognition of the moment in which the fruit is to be collected, experts say that in its state of maturity its color, which is bright throughout the process, becomes opaque.

Multiplication

The propagation of this tree can take place by seeds in spring, being able to carry out a direct sowing in a seedbed and germination will take about three weeks. It can also be multiplied through grafting, a method that shows great effectiveness.

Rusticity

We are talking about a plant that grows in tropical climates and that is why it has no chance of resisting a frost. The favorable temperature for its development is 25 ° C, with warmer than cold climates always being preferred. It is a plant that grows at altitudes from 0 to 350 meters above sea level.

How long does it take for the soursop tree to bear fruit?

After the soursop has been cultivated, it will have some time to bear its first fruits that it can vary between 16 and 25 months approximately. Once this happens, a soursop can offer a production that can reach ten kilos in its first year, thirty in the second, and at its time of greatest development it can offer 70 kilos of soursop per year.

The flavor of the soursop is something that makes it very special and is used in cooking recipes worldwide. It can be said that its taste is sour, although its intense white pulp also reveals sweet touches that result in a very stimulating bittersweet flavor on the palate.

Properties

This characteristic makes it special for making sauces and accompaniments for meats such as pork and many other dishes. In addition to its fruit, the soursop leaves are also They have properties that are very beneficial to health.

It has been said that the soursop leaf is also beneficial in stopping the development of certain types of cancer and this is due to its acetogenin content, but this was denied by the scientific community, which concluded that the amount of this substance that the leaves have is not enough to combat this type of inconvenience.

Soursop leaf is often used for its vasodilator properties, for all kinds of inconveniences in the circulation, as well as for spills. It is also known to provide benefits for the nervous system and that is why it is often used as an infusion as a sedative and as an aid to sleep.

Soursop is a very complete fruit in every way. Due to its great contribution of nutrients and vitamins, it is very beneficial for different types of health problems, among which are the following:

  • Their properties to treat respiratory problems make it very beneficial for people with asthma attacks.
  • They stop the increase in blood glucose, so it is good for treatments against diabetes and hypoglycemia.
  • Regulates the pressure of our arteries and therefore It is used for hypertension problems.
  • La Soursop is a fruit with an important antioxidant power, which helps our body to release different toxins. This makes it very good for treatments against all kinds of degenerative diseases and also for cardiovascular conditions.
  • You have components that are essential for the formation of collagen in our body, which will be beneficial to our bones and skin.
  • It is an important source of vitamin C, so it is important for all those people who may have some type of deficiency of this, for different reasons, such as pregnancy, lactation period, excessive sports practice and smoking, among others.

When the fruit has not yet reached maturity, the fruit of the soursop is often used in treatments against a disease called jaundice, which changes the color of the mucous membranes and the skin of the person towards a yellow tone. These are made by ingesting the pulp of the blended fruit or in juices.

Curiosity

Soursop cultivation, which has its origin in the tropical and equatorial areas of America and Africa, has reached Europe for many decades and its best developed habitat is found in some areas of Spain, but especially in the Canary Islands.

Esto it has to do with perfect weather conditions for their growth that exist there. To this favorable climate are added perfect biological and technical conditions, as well as a perfect regulation of the substrate by nature itself.

Soursop is a delicious fruit

Did you find it interesting?


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  1.   Antonio said

    That good

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      We are glad that you liked it, Antonio

      1.    Luis Pablo Novella Cruz said

        I have some trees and it really is delicious in smoothie with milk, fresh water or snow.

        1.    Monica Sanchez said

          Hello Luis Pablo.

          Thanks for commenting. It sure works for someone.

          Regards!

  2.   Juan said

    Very explicit and interesting article. Thanks.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi John.

      Thank you. We are glad that you liked the article.

      Greetings.