The USDA zone map divides areas according to their climate, which can help you determine what plants grow well in your area. Guanabana trees grow best in warm temperatures but do best in temperatures consistently above 41 °F (5 °C). They won’t survive in temperatures below 37 °F (3 °C). If you live in a cooler climate, you can still grow guanabana in a greenhouse.
Partial shade indicates a spot that receives 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. The trees aren’t likely to survive in areas that get less sunlight than that.
Walls are a good option because they absorb and radiate heat needed to keep the tree warm. You can also plant guanabana behind a building. Monitor which direction the wind blows towards, then plant the tree on the opposite side. Another way to protect a tree is to plant stakes in the ground. Stretch burlap or plastic between the stakes to block the wind.
Plant the tree at least 7 ft (2. 1 m) from other trees. Keep it at least 20 ft (6. 1 m) from buildings and walls.
Guanabana trees can tolerate a wide range of soils. For example, mix compost, builder’s sand, vermiculite, or peat about 8 in (20 cm) into the soil. [6] X Research source You can watch your growing area after a hard rain to see how it drains. Avoid areas that still have pools of water a few hours after the rain stops.
It’s easier to grow a plant suitable for your soil type rather than altering the soil pH. Mixing in sulfur or aluminum sulfate can make the soil more acidic. Adding organic material such as compost makes the soil more acidic, so be aware if you use it for drainage purposes.
If you are planting a sapling, you can immediately plant the tree in soil outside or in a greenhouse.
You can make your own mix by combining 1 part perlite, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part coco peat or peat moss. [10] X Research source Avoid using soil from your yard, since this soil is not sterilized and can harm the seed.
If you plant multiple seeds, expect most of them to sprout. You can plant them, give them away, or get rid of them.
After the seeds sprout in 2 to 4 weeks, you can move the tray to partial sunlight to prepare them for transplanting. Partial sunlight is 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. Keep the tray out of full sunlight until the seeds are ready to be transplanted.
If you use a black plastic bag, you can poke drainage holes in the bottom.
Damaging the roots can be bad news for your guanabana tree, so work slowly.
You can keep your guanabana in a pot indefinitely. This is helpful if you live in climates where you need to move the tree inside to protect it. Keep in mind that it will eventually get very tall.
Barring bad weather, your tree should be good to grow. You can usually reduce watering to about once a week at this point.
Mulch holds moisture in the soil, which prevents the tree’s shallow roots from drying out.
You can test the soil by pushing your finger into it. If you can’t push down to the roots easily, the soil needs water. An irrigation system works well for greenhouse growing.
You can use a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer from your gardening center, which has equal parts phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Apply 1⁄4 lb (0. 11 kg) of fertilizer in the first year, 1⁄2 lb (0. 23 kg) in the second year, and 1 1⁄2 lb (0. 68 kg) every year after that.
Replace the mulch every year to block out weeds and keep the surrounding soil moist.
New shoots will grow on your tree. Select the tallest shoot to be the central leader, then select 3 or 4 shoots spaced around it to be main branches. Wear a thick pair of gardening gloves and safety goggles to protect your eyes.
You can pin down the secondary shoots with clothespins or twine. Also remove any diseased or decaying branches on your tree.
Consider using natural methods of pest treatment, like insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Wear a respirator and eye protection when spraying chemicals. Keep people and pets out of the area. Root rot is a disease some guanabanas experience. This is usually caused by too much water.
