Best Fertiliser for Custard Apple Trees: How to Feed Cherimoya & Atemoya for Fruitful Growth

Custard apple trees are subtropical fruiting trees that reward growers with soft, fragrant, and sweet fruit—when fed correctly. These trees, including the popular cherimoya and atemoya varieties, require consistent nutrition throughout the growing season for optimal leaf health, flowering, and fruiting. This guide explains how to grow and fertilise custard apple trees effectively in Australian conditions.

Custard Apple Tree Overview – Growth, Fruit & Cultivation

Custard apples (Annona spp.) are medium-sized, semi-deciduous trees grown widely across subtropical and warm climates. They bear large, knobbly fruit with creamy white flesh that’s rich in flavour and fragrance. Key characteristics:

Botanical name: Annona cherimola, Annona atemoya
Common names: Custard apple, cherimoya, atemoya, sugar apple (related)
Height: 4–8 m tall when mature
Foliage: Broad, soft green leaves; semi-deciduous in cooler regions
Flowers: Small, pale green to yellow flowers with a distinct shape
Fruit: Green, segmented fruit with soft, custard-like pulp; ripens in autumn to early winter

Custard apple trees are increasingly grown in home gardens, small orchards, and warm coastal areas of Australia including QLD and northern NSW. They are tolerant of dry periods but need good nutrition to perform well.

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How to Grow & Care for Custard Apple Trees in Australia

Custard apples prefer a warm, frost-free environment with rich, well-drained soil. Although resilient once mature, younger trees need support to establish deep roots and balanced canopies. Essential growing conditions:

Climate: Subtropical to warm temperate zones (USDA zones 9–11)
Sunlight: Full sun (minimum 6 hours/day); avoid shade for best flowering
Soil: Free-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil enriched with organic matter
Water: Keep moist during flowering and fruiting; reduce watering after harvest
Spacing: Allow 5–6 m between trees in orchards or home gardens

Maintenance tips:

Mulching: Maintain a thick organic mulch around the base (keep away from trunk) to regulate soil temperature and moisture
Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove inward-facing or crossing branches and encourage airflow
Pest/Disease: Monitor for fruit fly, mealybug, and scale insects during humid periods

Trees typically begin to flower in late spring and fruit over summer, with harvest between April and July depending on climate and cultivar.

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How to Fertilise Custard Apple Trees: Nutrients, Timing & Tips

Custard apple trees are medium feeders but need the right nutrients at the right time to produce sweet, high-quality fruit. Over-fertilising—especially with nitrogen—can delay flowering and reduce fruit quality.

Nutritional needs:

Balanced NPK: Custard apples benefit from a balanced fertiliser, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20, depending on soil and stage
Nitrogen: Important for early leaf flush but should be reduced during flowering to prevent vegetative dominance
Potassium: Essential for fruit development and improving sweetness and storage life
Calcium & Magnesium: Important for reducing fruit cracking and maintaining healthy foliage

Feeding schedule:

Late Winter: Apply the first dose to support bud swell and new foliage growth
Spring: Feed again during flowering and early fruit set to support reproductive growth
Early Summer: Light maintenance dose during active fruit development
Post-Harvest: Final dose after harvest to help the tree recover and prepare for dormancy

Fertilising tips:

Broadcast powder fertiliser in a wide circle around the root zone—not near the trunk
Water in well after applying to help nutrients reach root tips
Conduct soil tests every few years to adjust fertiliser ratios and avoid overfeeding

Well-fed custard apple trees produce cleaner fruit with fewer blemishes and more flavour. Underfeeding often leads to pale leaves, poor flowering, and fruit drop—especially in younger trees or sandy soils.