Delicious Smooth Texture Red Custard Fruit Plant & Tree (1.5..More

The Red Custard Apple plant, known botanically as Annona reticulata, is a tropical fruit tree valued for its creamy, sweet fruit and ornamental appeal. It's closely related to other members of the Annona genus, such as sugar apple (Annona squamosa) and cherimoya (Annona cherimola), but it has its own distinctive characteristics.

🌳 Red Custard Apple (Annona reticulata) – Plant Description
Common Names:
Red Custard Apple

Bullock’s Heart (in some regions)

Seetaphal (in India)

Ramphal (in Hindi)

Family:
Annonaceae

Origin:
Central America and the Caribbean, now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions including India.

🌿 Botanical Characteristics:
Plant Type: Small to medium-sized deciduous tree

Height: 3 to 6 meters (10–20 feet)

Leaves: Simple, oblong to lance-shaped, smooth-edged, and green with a leathery texture

Flowers: Small, yellowish-green, fragrant; appear singly or in clusters

Fruit:

Shape: Heart-shaped, round, or oval

Skin: Red to reddish-brown, with a bumpy or smooth texture depending on the variety

Flesh: Creamy white to light pink, soft, sweet, and custard-like

Seeds: Numerous hard, black or brown seeds embedded in the flesh

☀️ Growing Requirements:
Climate: Prefers warm, humid climates; not frost-tolerant

Sunlight: Full sun for best fruit production

Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil with pH between 6.0 and 7.5

Watering: Regular watering during the growing season; reduce during dormancy

Spacing: 4.5 to 6 meters between plants

🌱 Care Tips:
Pruning: Light pruning after harvest to maintain shape and remove dead wood

Fertilizer: Use organic compost or a balanced NPK fertilizer during active growth

Mulching: Helps retain moisture and suppress weeds

Pests & Diseases: Watch for scale insects, mealybugs, and fruit borers; manage with neem oil or insecticidal soap

🍈 Uses:
Culinary: Eaten fresh or used in smoothies, milkshakes, ice cream, and desserts

Medicinal: Traditionally used for its digestive benefits and potential anti-inflammatory properties

Would you like help sourcing a red custard apple plant or guidance on how to propagate it from seeds or cuttings?