El Bumpo Cherimoya Live Plant – 2 Feet Tall – 3 Gallon Pot – Fruit Tree

Overview

Discover the joy of cultivating your own exotic fruit with the El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant. This exquisite fruit tree, scientifically known as Annona cherimola, is celebrated for its highly prized, custard-like fruit, often referred to as ‘custard apple.’ The ‘El Bumpo’ variety is particularly sought after for its exceptional flavor and smooth texture. Originating from the Andean highlands, this sub-tropical gem can be a stunning and productive addition to your garden or a large container. Our El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant arrives at your doorstep as a robust 2-foot tall specimen, carefully rooted in a 3-gallon pot, ensuring a healthy start for your new fruit-bearing companion. Enjoy the unique experience of growing cherimoya and harvesting its sweet, aromatic bounty.

The cherimoya is a fascinating plant, known for its distinctive green, scaly skin and creamy white flesh. The fruit offers a complex flavor profile, often described as a blend of pineapple, mango, strawberry, and banana. It’s not just a beautiful tree; it’s a source of delicious, nutritious fruit perfect for fresh eating, smoothies, or desserts. With proper care, your cherimoya fruit tree will mature into a rewarding producer, providing years of delightful harvests and a touch of the tropics to your landscape.

Key Benefits

Cultivating an El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant offers a multitude of rewards, from its unique aesthetic appeal to the undeniable pleasure of enjoying homegrown exotic fruit. This remarkable tree is more than just a source of food; it’s a conversation starter and a testament to the diversity of nature’s bounty. Here are some of the key advantages of adding this extraordinary plant to your collection:

• Exotic Fruit Production: Enjoy the unique, creamy, and sweet ‘custard apple’ fruit directly from your own garden. The ‘El Bumpo’ variety is renowned for its superior flavor and texture, making it a favorite among cherimoya connoisseurs. Harvesting your own fresh cherimoya guarantees peak ripeness and an unparalleled taste experience.

• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the cherimoya fruit tree boasts attractive foliage and a pleasing growth habit, making it an excellent ornamental plant. Its lush green leaves and interesting branch structure add a tropical flair to any landscape or patio, enhancing the overall beauty of your outdoor space.

• Nutritional Benefits: Cherimoya fruit is not only delicious but also packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. It’s a good source of Vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium, contributing to a healthy diet. Enjoying this fruit fresh provides a host of health advantages.

• Unique Culinary Ingredient: The distinctive flavor and texture of cherimoya make it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Use it in smoothies, ice creams, sorbets, or simply scoop out the flesh and enjoy it chilled. Its versatility opens up a world of culinary possibilities for those interested in growing cherimoya.

• Rewarding Gardening Experience: Successfully growing an exotic fruit tree like the cherimoya can be incredibly gratifying. From watching it grow to seeing the fruit develop and finally harvesting it, the entire process is a rewarding journey for any gardening enthusiast, especially when you master Annona cherimola care.

• Adaptability: While a sub-tropical plant, the cherimoya can be grown in various climates with protection. It performs well in USDA zones 9-11 outdoors and can be successfully cultivated in containers in colder regions, allowing it to be moved indoors during winter. This adaptability makes it accessible to more gardeners.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper Annona cherimola care is essential for a thriving and productive El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant. This sub-tropical fruit tree prefers a warm climate but can tolerate mild frosts once established. When planting, choose a location with full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily) and protection from strong winds. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch. If you’re in a colder region, consider growing your cherimoya fruit tree in a large container that can be moved indoors during winter to a bright, unheated room.

The cherimoya thrives in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.0) is ideal. When planting in the ground, amend heavy clay soils with compost and perlite to improve drainage. For container-grown plants, use a high-quality potting mix designed for fruit trees or a general-purpose potting mix with added perlite or bark for aeration. Consistent watering is crucial, especially during dry periods and when the tree is fruiting. The soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Fertilize your El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant regularly during the growing season (spring through fall) with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees. Follow the product instructions for application rates. Pruning is important for shaping the tree, encouraging fruit production, and removing any dead or diseased branches. Light pruning can be done annually to maintain size and open up the canopy for better air circulation and light penetration. Watch out for common pests like mealybugs and scale insects, and treat them promptly with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. With diligent Annona cherimola care, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying bountiful harvests from your cherimoya fruit tree.

Size & Details

Your El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant will arrive as a healthy, vibrant specimen approximately 2 feet tall, measured from the base of the pot to the tip of the plant. It is securely rooted in a 3-gallon nursery pot, providing ample space for its initial growth and a good start for transplanting. This size makes it manageable for immediate planting in your garden or for potting up into a larger container. Cherimoya trees are known for their moderate growth rate, typically reaching heights of 15-30 feet in ideal conditions when planted in the ground, though they can be kept smaller with regular pruning. When growing cherimoya in containers, expect a more compact size, usually 6-10 feet tall, making them suitable for patios or greenhouses.

The tree will begin to produce fruit within 3-5 years after planting, with peak production occurring as it matures. The fruit typically ripens in late winter to early spring, offering a delicious treat during a time when other fresh fruits may be scarce. The ‘El Bumpo’ variety is recognized for its medium to large fruit size, often weighing between 1 to 2 pounds. This specific plant is a true sub-tropical fruit tree, emphasizing its need for warmer climates or protective measures in cooler zones. It is shipped as a well-established plant, ensuring it is ready to continue its growth journey in its new home.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant get? A: This specific El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant is approximately 2 feet tall upon arrival. When planted in the ground, a mature cherimoya tree can reach heights of 15-30 feet, but it can be maintained at a smaller size (6-10 feet) with regular pruning or by growing cherimoya in a large container.

• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant is shipped in a sturdy 3-gallon nursery pot, providing a good foundation for its initial growth and making it easy to transplant.

• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The cherimoya is primarily an outdoor plant in USDA zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown outdoors during warm months and brought indoors to a bright, protected area for winter, making Annona cherimola care adaptable to various environments.

• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This cherimoya fruit tree thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can help prevent leaf burn.

• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: While not as difficult as some exotic fruits, Annona cherimola care requires consistent attention to watering, soil, and protection from cold. It is moderately challenging, making it suitable for enthusiastic beginners willing to learn or intermediate gardeners.

• Q: What condition will it arrive in? Is it shipped in soil? A: Your El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant will arrive as a healthy, well-established plant in its 3-gallon pot with soil. We take great care in packaging to ensure it reaches you in optimal condition.

• Q: Can I use cherimoya fruit in cooking? A: Absolutely! The fruit from your cherimoya fruit tree is delicious when eaten fresh, chilled. It’s also excellent in smoothies, ice creams, desserts, or used to make sauces and purees, offering many ways to enjoy the fruits of growing cherimoya.

• Q: How long until it blooms and produces fruit? A: Typically, the El Bumpo Cherimoya live plant will start to bloom and produce fruit within 3-5 years after planting. Fruit production increases as the tree matures, offering a rewarding long-term investment.

• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? What’s the minimum temperature? A: Cherimoyas are sensitive to hard freezes. They are best suited for USDA Zones 9-11. They can tolerate brief dips to around 25-28°F (-4 to -2°C) once established, but prolonged cold requires protection or moving the container indoors. Understanding the minimum temperature is crucial for proper Annona cherimola care.

• Q: Is the El Bumpo variety self-pollinating? A: While cherimoyas can be partially self-fertile, hand-pollination significantly increases fruit set and yield for most varieties, including ‘El Bumpo’. This involves transferring pollen from male to female flowers, often done in the evening or early morning.