Ilama dormancy

[joehewitt]

I planted a bunch of Ilama seedlings this year here in northern California (zone 9b). They grew well in the summer but since it got cold they have been dropping leaves, much in the way a Cherimoya would do in spring. I thought they were cold damaged but then I noticed the fuzzy new leaves starting to bulge out (see picture below), again just like Cherimoyas. It seems that they have the same rhythm as Cherimoyas, just 3 months earlier. Given that we're still at least 6 weeks from the end of frost season, this seems less than ideal.

Has anyone else in a similar climate experienced this behavior in their Ilamas?

[BrianL]

Yeah. you see the buds as soon as the leaves drop practically.  At least in my location "real" frost chance really stops after Jan. I think.  I did find out last year they can drop leaves and try again a few times at least.

[JF]

Joe no leaf drops here

[knlim000]

mine one year, from seed, in the greenhouse without heat still has leaves on them.

[joehewitt]

JF, so your tree has never gone through a Cherimoya-like molting? Do your Cherimoyas even do that?

Joe no leaf drops here