🌸 ‘Painter’ Cherilata (Annona sp.) – The Exquisite Hybrid Delight 🌿

A Rare Creation by John Painter of Pine Island, FL

Experience the best of both worlds with this extraordinary Cherimoya × Custard Apple hybrid, the ‘Painter’ Cherilata. Crafted by master hybridizer John Painter, this tropical treasure combines the velvety sweetness of Cherimoya (Annona cherimola) with the floral richness of Custard Apple (Annona reticulata). Grafted on Pond Apple rootstock for Florida’s subtropical soils, this tree brings rare-fruit elegance to any edible landscape or collector’s orchard.

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🌿 Quick Facts Table

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Annona sp. ‘Painter’
Hybrid Origin	Cherimoya × Custard Apple (John Painter hybrid)
Plant Type	Grafted subtropical fruit tree
Size at Sale	3-gallon container
Mature Height & Width	15–20 ft tall × 12–15 ft wide (pruned smaller for easy care)
USDA Zones	9–11 (container grown in 8B+)
Sun Requirements	Full sun to partial shade ☀️🌤️
Cold Hardiness	Mature trees tolerate ~26°F; protect juveniles below 30°F ❄️
Growth Habit	Upright, spreading canopy with glossy foliage
Spacing Requirements	12–18 ft between trees

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🍈 Fruit & Flavor

• Flavor Profile: Creamy, custard-like texture reminiscent of Cherimoya; sweet, aromatic, and tropical with notes of vanilla and lychee.
• Skin & Flesh: Rosy-pink or reddish exterior with pale, velvety pulp and glossy black seeds.
• Harvest Season (Florida): Late summer to early fall (August–October).
• Yield: Moderate to high when mature; improved with good pollination and warm conditions.

💡 Pro Tip: Hand-pollinate flowers with a soft brush for best fruit set — Annonas often rely on beetle pollinators in nature! 🐝

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🌱 Top Benefits & Uses

• 🍮 Gourmet Dessert Fruit: Perfect for smoothies, fruit bowls, and chilled custard-style desserts.
• 🌳 Compact Landscape Tree: Manageable size for home orchards or edible landscapes.
• 🌿 Collector’s Gem: A rare cultivar from a respected Florida breeder.
• 🌺 Pollinator-Friendly: Flowers attract beetles and other beneficial insects.

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🌿 Planting & Care Guide

Where to Plant

Choose a full-sun, well-drained site with protection from strong winds. Avoid low areas where water pools after heavy rain.

Planting Tips

Dig a hole just slightly wider than your container and plant “High & Tight” to promote drainage — our signature GreenDreams planting technique.

📺 Watch our Fruit Tree Planting Method on YouTube

Watering

💧 Water daily for the first 2 weeks, then taper to 2–3 times weekly. Once established, water deeply during dry spells.

Mulching

🪵 Apply a 2–3" mulch ring, keeping it 4–6" away from the trunk to avoid rot.

Fertilizing

⚖️ Use a balanced tropical fruit fertilizer or organic compost blend quarterly. Add trace minerals (azomite) and biochar to boost soil life.

Winter Maintenance (Florida)

❄️ Young trees benefit from frost cloths during cold snaps. After dormancy, prune lightly to maintain form and airflow.

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🪴 Container & Indoor Growing Tips

• Ideal for patios and greenhouses — grows well in 15–25 gal containers.
• Use a well-draining tropical fruit mix (sand, perlite, compost).
• In colder regions, move indoors before temps drop below 40°F.
• Ensure bright southern exposure or grow lights during winter dormancy.

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🌸 Support & Companion Plants

Create a thriving Annona guild with these GreenDreams favorites:

• Nitrogen Fixers: Pigeon Pea, Ice Cream Bean, Perennial Peanut 🌾
• Pollinator Allies: Firebush, Mexican Sunflower, Butterfly Pea 🐝
• Mulch Producers: Chaya, Tithonia, Vetiver Grass ♻️

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🔍 Troubleshooting Guide

⚠️ Issue	🧠 Cause	🌿 Organic Solution
🍃 Yellow Leaves	💦 Overwatering or poor drainage	🪣 Replant “High & Tight” & improve soil aeration
🌬️ Leaf Burn	☀️ Sudden sun exposure	🌳 Gradually acclimate to full sun
🍄 Black Leaf Spots	🧫 Fungal infection	❄️ Apply neem or copper fungicide weekly
🪲 Poor Fruiting	🐝 Lack of pollinators	💡 Hand-pollinate early morning blooms
❄️ Cold Damage	🌬️ Frost exposure	🪵 Mulch roots, cover with frost cloth

(Icons represent common issues & organic solutions — look for 🌿 for recovery tips!)

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🌿 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is the ‘Painter’ Cherilata self-pollinating?

Not entirely — hand pollination boosts yields dramatically, as natural pollinators may be limited.

Q2: How long before it fruits?

Typically 2–4 years after planting (grafted trees).

Q3: Is this tree evergreen or deciduous?

Semi-deciduous in cooler months. 🍂 Leaves may yellow and drop slightly before new spring growth.

Q4: Can it handle Florida’s humidity?

Yes! Grafted on Pond Apple rootstock, it’s more tolerant of wet soils and humidity than most Annonas.

Q5: What’s the difference between Cherilata and Atemoya?

Cherilata = Cherimoya × Custard Apple.

Atemoya = Cherimoya × Sugar Apple.

This gives the Cherilata a more floral, custard-like flavor and reddish fruit skin.

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🚚 Shipping & Handling Notes

• Our 3-gallon size ships best across Florida, the Southeast, and Texas.
• Shipping to northern or western states is available but plants may need recovery time from transit stress.
• 🌡️ Weather Advisory: We ship Mondays via UPS Ground. Buyer discretion advised during temperature extremes — we are not responsible for cold or heat damage in transit.

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🚜 Local Pickup

GreenDreams Nursery & Farm

🌾 18709 US Hwy 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610

🕘 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | 🌞 Sat 8AM–3PM

Come see what’s fruiting this week! 🌸

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🌳 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services

At GreenDreams, we don’t just grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems.

• 🍊 Onsite consultations & food forest design
• 🌾 Installation & project management
• 🧺 Bulk soil, compost, & mulch delivery
• 🌿 Wholesale & regenerative solutions

Create your own edible paradise — starting with the ‘Painter’ Cherilata! 🌿

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Ready to taste the rarest fruit in Florida?

Order your ‘Painter’ Cherilata today and experience the flavor fusion of two tropical legends! 🍈🌸