The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Coach62 on August 10, 2018, 10:45:47 PM

Title: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: Coach62 on August 10, 2018, 10:45:47 PM
I have a tobago red custard apple, the tree is in ground, young, but healthy.  Has anyone eaten one?  Are they worth growing?  If not, I'll swap it out, or use it as root stock. 

Thoughts??
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: Zpusher on August 10, 2018, 11:42:16 PM
Are you confusing sugar apples and custard apples?
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: Coach62 on August 10, 2018, 11:46:13 PM
Are you confusing sugar apples and custard apples?
Well I have done that, but not in this case.  I’ll change the wording a bit.
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: Zpusher on August 11, 2018, 08:55:17 PM
Just wondering if I'm missin out on a new variety hahaha
Also bumping your post hopefully someone with info on this variety will see this
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: bsbullie on August 11, 2018, 09:52:12 PM
http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/annona-reticulata-tobago-pink-custard-apple-seeds (http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/annona-reticulata-tobago-pink-custard-apple-seeds)

The problem I have is that as far as I know, they are not true to seed...
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: Nayelie321 on August 11, 2018, 09:56:40 PM
I have around 5 trees of red custard apple planted. I’m not fond of the fruit but my family memeber are so I grow them to share or sell. Usually a tree for me produces around 20-50 fruit depending on the year but I’ve had trees that only produce 1 fruit in a given year. I grow them in a land I own in northern Belize so it’s practically at home here. I’m not sure if it applies for the Tobago red/pink but trees tend to start fruiting in 3 years for me but friends I’ve given seedlings to say their tree produced in just 2 years. Personally for me, custard apple is an acquired taste. I prefer a sugar apple over a custard apple. I’d recommend you to let the tree grow and wait for it to bear if the fruit or production is not to your liking then you can graft it into an another species of Annona since custard apple is a great rootstock for servers other anonas. So if your not in a hurry just leave it and wait. In terms of them not being true to seed, most of the seedlings from my Custard apple trees have been true to type just slight fluctuations in terms of production and age of bearing. This is from my personal experience and from being in areas where they are frequently grown. The primary concern Id say is level of production. I’ve seen trees(including one of  mine) that are alternate bearers but fruit size tends to be standard for the reds.
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: bsbullie on August 11, 2018, 10:18:20 PM
I think you are generalizing.   People say sugar apples are true to seed but Kampong Mauve must be grafted.  As far as custard apple, Sartaneja must be grafted as does Fernandez and San Pablo.  Jyst sayin...
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: Nayelie321 on August 11, 2018, 10:29:57 PM
I think you are generalizing.   People say sugar apples are true to seed but Kampong Mauve must be grafted.  As far as custard apple, Sartaneja must be grafted as does Fernandez and San Pablo.  Jyst sayin...

I’m familiar with the sugar apple dilemma of it not being true to type especially those of the purple variety. I agree I am generalizing from my own experience and seeing them in their native area around Mexico and Belize. I’d still recommend to let it grow and see what qualities the fruit it produces has since it can always be used as rootstock.
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: bsbullie on August 11, 2018, 11:26:30 PM
I am in no way questioning not to let it grow and fruit. My issue is with places selling seeds of a "named variety" that may not come true. If it does not come true it is not the name variety, but a seedling from the name variety.
Title: Re: Tobago red custard apple worth keeping?
Post by: Coach62 on August 12, 2018, 12:14:00 AM
Thanks for the input everyone, I do appreciate it.  I will let it mature for sure.  I do like the taste of sugar apples, but the countless seeds are an undesirable trait for sure. 

I don't believe this is a seedling, it appears to have a visible graft, so I believe it is grafted.  I can provide a pic if needed.  I got it at a Walmart that gets a surprising amount of desirable fruit trees, those that are labeled are from Pine Island Nursery, as you all know PIN is a good reputable nursery.  I believe this is a PIN tree.