First soursop fruit, when to pick?

[brian]

My soursop tree finally set a fruit.  It isn't all that large so I am not sure if it is just a small fruit or if it is still expanding.  It is firm and has no smell yet.  Can I just wait for it to become soft or fall off the tree?  Or it needs to be picked hard and counter ripened?

[K-Rimes]

When there is a bit of give and the skin is starting to yellow a bit.

[brian]

Thanks!  I'll keep an eye out

[roblack]

You can also look for the little spikes to darken, soften, and curl some. That is a sign it is close or already ripe.

[elouicious]

Nice accomplishment brian-

this is definitely a fruit worth keeping in the greenhouse-

I'd imagine you might need a pumpkin style setup to keep the fruit from getting messed up once it is large enough to make the branch droop to the ground

Also might need to beat the birds to it

[Tony714]

Nice. Well done.  How old is your tree and how tall?

[ben mango]

It’s very close. Congrats Brian. Maybe first to fruit a soursop in Pa!

[brian]

Thanks.  The tree is pretty tall, about 9ft tall and 6ft wide with about 3in diameter trunk.  It is planted in ground in my greenhouse.  It was already four ft tall when I got it a few years ago so I am not sure exactly how old it is.

The skin seems to be lightening but it is still very firm and spikes are sturdy.  I will keep checking

[Bush2Beach]

It’s getting really close with how far away from each other the little spikes are. It. Could drop anytime . Check it every day.

[brian]

I picked it a couple days ago and let it sit on the counter until it softened up further.  When I cut it open I found it was very unevenly ripe.  Some parts were soft with good taste and other parts were hard and not edible.  Hopefully better fruits in the next crop, but I am happy to see it fruiting nonetheless.

[Finca La Isla]

You might have picked it too early. How long after you picked it did it take to seem ripe?
I gently feel the bottom on soursop. It will soften from the bottom up. Once it seems about ripe, check it every day until the bottom is soft then it finishes ripening quickly.
Peter

[brian]

I cut it open two days after picking it, probably should have waited longer.   

[monahan2]

Soursop left to ripen on the tree is more delicious and fragrant