How to Plant Soursop Tree

Soursop tree, also known as graviola, is a tropical tree that produces delicious and nutritious fruits. If you want to enjoy the fruit of this tree right in your backyard, you can plant one yourself. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to plant soursop tree:

Choosing the Right Location

The first thing you need to do is to choose the right location to plant your soursop tree. It needs a warm and humid climate with plenty of sunlight. Make sure to choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The tree also needs well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter.

Preparing the Soil

Next, prepare the soil where you'll be planting the soursop tree. Loosen the soil around the area with a hoe or a tiller. You can also add compost, aged manure or any other organic matter to enrich the soil. Mix them together and create a shallow hole for the plant to grow in.

Planting the Tree

Once the soil is prepared, it's time to plant your soursop tree. Remove the tree from the container and gently loosen the roots with your hands. Place the tree in the hole and backfill it with soil until the root ball is covered. Press the soil down gently to remove any air pockets.

Watering and Fertilizing

Water your soursop tree immediately after planting until the soil around it is moist. After that, you can water it once a week or so, depending on the climate and the amount of rainfall. You can also fertilize your tree every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer, especially during the growing season.

Pruning and Maintenance

To keep your soursop tree healthy and productive, you should prune it regularly. This will help to remove any dead or damaged branches, stimulate new growth and improve air circulation. You can also train the tree to a particular shape by cutting back the branches that are growing in the wrong direction.

Harvesting the Fruit

Finally, when your soursop tree starts producing fruit, you can harvest it by hand when it's fully mature. Pick the fruit when it's still slightly firm but yields to gentle pressure. You can store the fruit in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze it for long-term storage.

In conclusion, planting a soursop tree is easy as long as you choose the right location and prepare the soil properly. With some care and maintenance, you can enjoy the delicious fruit of this tropical tree in your own backyard.