Light. Plant in full sun, 15–20 ft from other trees, buildings and power lines.
Water. Water during long dry spells from flowering through harvest for better fruit. Cut back in fall and stop once most leaves drop; watering a leafless tree invites root rot.
Soil and feeding. It grows in South Florida's sand and limestone but not in wet sites; 7–10 days of flooding can kill it. Feed young trees every 6–8 weeks in the growing season with a complete fertilizer such as Citrus and Fruit Trees fertilizer. On alkaline soil, spray zinc, manganese and magnesium on the leaves.
Size. Usually 10–20 ft. Yearly pruning keeps it at 8–12 ft.
Pruning. In February or March, remove about a third of last year's growth.
Problems to watch. The annona seed borer leaves small black holes in the fruit; bag young fruit in paper bags to stop it.
Good to know. It drops its leaves in winter. Young trees are damaged at 30–32°F. It does not tolerate salty soil or water.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS MG330: Sugar Apple Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
