The soursop tree requires fertilising to maintain a healthy, vigorous plant. A commercial N-P-K fertiliser, such 8-18-8, should be applied about three or four times per year at a rate of 2-3 pounds per plant. The granular fertiliser should be worked into the soil around the root zone of the plant and watered.
How do you maintain soursop?
Soursop trees should be irrigated regularly to prevent stress, which will cause leaf drop. Fertilize every quarter of the year with a 10-10-10 NPK at ½ pound (0.22 kg.) per year for the first year, 1 pound (. 45 kg.)
Why is my soursop tree turning yellow?
The yellow blotch is the main disease that affects the soursop tree. It’s caused by the rhabdovirus Soursop yellow blotch virus (SYBV), which reduces the plant development and yield.
How long does it take for a soursop fruit to mature?
15–21 weeks
The time taken to reach fruit maturity from this ‘take-off’ point was found to be 15–21 weeks. Fruit growth was double sigmoidal. Maturity could be reliably detected when the density of the spurs on the fruit surface reached a minimum value (6 per 12 cm2) and a slight paling of the initially darkgreen skin occurred.
Why does my soursop flowers but no fruit?
The soursop plant will fail to produce fruit if its flowers are not pollinated. Soursop flowers are pollinated by beetles, which may be absent if there is fogging or usage of pesticides in the surroundings. You will have to use hand-pollination to promote fruit production.
How often should I water my soursop tree?
Watering and nutrients
Try watering your soursop tree about once per week, and monitor the soil moisture to see if you need to change that rate.
Should I prune soursop tree?
Prune your soursop trees every two to three growing seasons to control their size and shape, or as necessary to remove diseased, damaged, weak or crossing branches. Wait to prune soursop trees until after you have harvested their fruit to reduce pruning stress.
What nutrient is needed for yellow leaves?
Sulphur. Sulphur is a component in the formation of chlorophyll. Deficiencies result in yellow leaves and stunted growth.
What is best fertilizer for fruit trees?
Fruit trees prefer an organic, high nitrogen fertilizer. Blood meal, soybean meal, composted chicken manure, cottonseed meal, and feather meal are all good, organic nitrogen sources.
Can yellow leaves turn green again?
Generally when a houseplant leaf turns yellow, that leaf is dying. Chlorophyll gives a leaf its green color. When the leaf loses its chlorophyll, the plant abandons it and begins to absorb leftover nutrients from the leaf. That’s why once the leaf turns yellow, you generally can’t make it turn back green again.
How can you make soursop ripen faster?
Just add your fruit into a paper bag, seal it, and wait a few days! The key here is ethylene. Ethylene is a natural gas given off by fruit that helps in ripening. To speed things up even faster, we recommend adding in an apple or banana!
Can soursop grow from cuttings?
Soft stem minicuttings revealed high capability to root. The percentage of rooted soft cuttings was about 70% on two leaves cuttings. The length of the minicuttings did not influence rooting ability. The lower number and size of the leaves significantly improved rooting percentage and number of roots.
Do soursop trees lose their leaves?
Sweetsop, soursop, and atemoya can reach 15 to 30 feet at maturity. As fruit trees they are usually pruned smaller. Reducing their size keeps the canopy healthy and the fruit within reach. All three species are deciduous, losing their leaves in the cooler months.
Why is my soursop tree dying?
Major diseases that can ruin the growth your soursop tree include root rot, anthracnose, and pink disease.
Are soursop trees self-pollinating?
Although they are hermaphroditic, the flowers of the annonaceae cannot self-fertilise. They are dichogamous and the stigma (the female part of the flower) is receptive before the stamens (the male part containing pollen) reach maturity.
How do you irrigate soursop trees?
Water the Tree
Water around the base of the soursop tree with a watering hose set on a slow trickle at transplant time, and water to a depth of 12 inches. Supplement water for up to three years after planting to a depth of 12 inches until the tree is established, advises the University of Florida IFAS Extension.
What climate does soursop grow in?
Grown in a variety of countries, including Mexico, the West Indies, northern South America, China, Australia and Africa, soursop prefers a tropical climate and cannot survive a frost, often suffering damage at 30 degrees Fahrenheit and dying at 26 degrees Fahrenheit.
How big does soursop grow?
The aromatic fruits are oval, spiny, and green-skinned; they grow about 20 cm (8 inches) long and weigh up to 4.5 kg (10 pounds).
Can soursop be grown in pots?
Suitable for Container Growing
Soursop trees tend to have shallow root systems, so they can handle growing in containers without quickly getting root bound. As with all container grown fruit trees, use a soil mix that has good drainage. Check your drainage holes periodically to ensure proper drainage.
What are the benefits of soursop leaves?
Soursop may provide antibacterial effects. One study found that an extract may be able to kill many different types of bacteria, including strains that cause gum disease and cavities. Another study found that soursop extracts may help to fight cholera and Staphylococcus bacteria.
How do you know when soursop is ripe?
A ripe soursop is light yellowish-green in color (as opposed to an unripe one on the tree, which tends to be a truer, more uniform green) and, like a peach, will give a little when pressed with a finger.