Annona atemoya aka Atemoya

Annona atemoya, or atemoya, is a fruit tree in Annonaceae. It arose in gardens, rather than in a native habitat. Its parents are Annona cherimola and Annona squamosa. The sources report no known wild populations. Growers raise it in gardens and commercial orchards for fruit. It suits warmer tropical sites than its cherimoya parent can tolerate.

This fast-growing tree sheds its leaves and forms a broad crown. Sources give heights of 23–30 feet [7–9 metres]. One lists both height and spread as 26 feet [8 metres]. The trunk is short, and the branches hang down. The lowest branches can reach the ground. Its size calls for space in a garden. Beetles pollinate the flowers, and the tree is self-fertile.

The sweet fruit measures about 0.26–0.49 feet [0.08–0.15 metres] across. People eat it raw or use it to flavour frozen desserts. It also flavours drinks, and its sugar content reaches about 18%. Trees grown from seed begin fruiting at four to five years. Grafted trees can bear two to three years after grafting. Seeds serve mainly to raise plants for rootstocks. They take about four weeks to sprout. Other ways to raise plants include grafting and semi-ripe cuttings.

Atemoya needs sun and soil that drains well. Moist sandy loam suits it, though it accepts other soil textures. The detailed growing notes favour moist soil over dry conditions. They give a preferred pH of 5.5–6.5, with tolerance from 5–7. In tropical regions, the sources place it above 3,281 feet [1,000 metres]. It grows in lowland sites in the subtropics. Best daytime temperatures fall between 24°C and 28°C. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. The tree tolerates brief, light frost, but young trees face greater cold risk. Mature trees may survive lower temperatures with some damage.

Fruit production is its main garden use. PFAF gives the fruit its highest food-use rating. It reports no known medicinal use and no known hazards. That hazard entry does not establish that every part is safe. The supplied sources give no specific pest or disease problems. PFAF also records no weed potential for this hybrid.