🌸 ‘Painter’ Cherilata Tree (Annona sp.) – Rare Tropical Hybrid 🍈
⚠️ 1-Gallon Size Currently Unavailable – 3-Gallon Trees Back in Stock (Limited Supply)
If you’ve been waiting for this one… now’s your moment. The 1-gallon size has officially sold through, but we’ve just released a limited batch of more mature 3-gallon trees—giving you a faster track to fruit, stronger establishment, and a serious upgrade in overall performance.
These will not last long.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Annona sp. ‘Painter’ |
| Plant Type | Grafted tropical fruit tree |
| Size at Sale (Current Availability) | 1-Gallon |
| Estimated Age (3-Gallon) | ~2–3+ years |
| Mature Height (Unpruned) | 15–20 ft |
| Pruned Height | 8–12 ft |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade 🌞 |
| Cold Hardiness | ~26°F mature ❄️ |
| Growth Habit | Upright, spreading canopy |
| Spacing | 12–18 ft |
| Rootstock | Pond Apple (Florida-adapted) |
🍈 What Makes ‘Painter’ Cherilata So Special?
This isn’t just another fruit tree—it’s a Florida-bred hybrid masterpiece combining:
- Cherimoya → creamy, custard-like richness
- Custard Apple → floral, tropical sweetness
The result?
👉 A fruit that tastes like a premium dessert straight off the tree
🍮 Fruit Profile – Why Grow This Tree?
- Flavor: Sweet, creamy, floral with notes of vanilla + lychee
- Texture: Smooth, custard-like
- Harvest Season (FL): Late summer to early fall
- Yield: Moderate to high with maturity
💡 Pro Tip: Hand pollination = bigger, more consistent fruit
🌱 Why Upgrade to the 3-Gallon Size?
Since the 1-gallon is not currently available, here’s the upside:
- 🌳 More developed branching structure
- 🍈 Faster path to fruiting (often 1–3 years sooner)
- 💪 Stronger root system = better transplant success
- 🌿 Less recovery time after planting
In short: you’re skipping the slow stage and jumping ahead.
🌎 Origin Story – A Florida-Bred Standout
Developed by John Painter on Pine Island, this hybrid was selected specifically for:
- Flavor complexity
- Humid climate performance
- Compatibility with pond apple rootstock
This rootstock is key—it allows the tree to handle Florida’s wet soils and seasonal rains far better than many Annona species.
🍽 Culinary Uses – This is Where It Shines
This fruit is built for real use in the kitchen:
- Eat fresh with a spoon
- Blend into smoothies or milkshakes
- Freeze into tropical sorbet
- Use in pies, custards, and desserts
🌿 Widely loved across tropical regions for its richness and versatility.
🌳 Seasonal Behavior (What to Expect in Florida)
- Spring: Fresh growth flush 🌱
- Summer: Flowering + rapid growth 🌸
- Fall: Fruit production 🍈
- Winter: Semi-deciduous 🍂
🍃 Leaf drop is normal—don’t panic, it’s part of the cycle.
🪴 Container Growing & Transplanting
Since 1-gallon is sold out, most growers will:
- Step into a 3-gallon → 7-gallon → in-ground progression
Soil Preference:
- Well-draining mix (compost + sand + aeration)
- Avoid soggy or compacted soils
⚠️ Always wait ~30 days after delivery before transplanting
🌿 Best Practices for Planting & Care (Annona ‘Painter’ Cherilata)
Where to Plant
- Full sun preferred
- Protect from strong wind exposure
Planting Method
- Plant high & tight (slightly above grade)
- Critical for drainage success
Watering
- 💧 Daily first 2 weeks
- Then 2–3x weekly
- Deep watering once established
Fertility
- ⚖️ Balanced organic fertilizer
- Add compost + trace minerals
Pruning
- ✂️ Keep tree 8–12 ft
- Open canopy for airflow and light
Mulching
- 🪵 2–3 inches, keep away from trunk
🌿 Companion Planting (Food Forest Ready)
- Nitrogen Fixers: Pigeon Pea, Perennial Peanut
- Pollinator Plants: Mexican Sunflower, Firebush
- Biomass: Vetiver, Chaya
🔍 Troubleshooting Guide
| ⚠️ Issue | 🧠 Cause | 🌿 Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Yellow Leaves | 💦 Overwatering | Improve drainage |
| 🍃 Leaf Drop | 🧘 Seasonal cycle | Normal |
| 🪲 Low Fruit Set | 🐝 Lack of pollination | Hand pollinate |
| 🍄 Leaf Spot | 🌧️ Humidity | Neem or copper spray |
| ❄️ Cold Damage | Frost | Cover young trees |
⚠️ Cautions
- Needs well-drained soil
- Young trees sensitive to cold
- Pollination may require assistance
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Growers wanting faster results
- Rare fruit collectors
- Florida & subtropical climates
- Backyard orchard systems
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Cold climates without protection
- Poor drainage soils
- Low-maintenance / no-pruning setups
❓ FAQ
Will the 1-gallon size come back?
→ Possibly, but no current ETA—3-gallon is the available option now
How soon will the 3-gallon fruit?
→ Often within 1–3 years
Is this beginner-friendly?
→ Yes—with proper drainage and care
Can I grow it in a pot long-term?
→ Yes, up to 15–25 gallon containers
🚚 Shipping & Handling
- Ships via UPS Ground (Mondays)
- Best suited for FL, Southeast, TX
⚠️ Buyer assumes risk for long-distance shipping or extreme weather
Allow 30 days recovery before transplanting
🌾 Local Pickup Available
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
🕘 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Larger trees often available in person!
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We help you build thriving ecosystems:
- 🌳 Food forest design
- 🚜 Installation services
- 🚚 Bulk soil & mulch delivery
- 🌾 Regenerative landscape planning
Start your edible paradise 🌿
🌿 IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS
Please note: Plants purchased through our online store are not available for pickup at our retail nursery in Spring Hill, Florida.
Online inventory is housed at a separate facility and is priced, prepared, and handled exclusively for shipping.
🌱 Looking for larger plants or more selection?
Our retail nursery location offers far more availability, including larger sizes, specialty plants, and many selections not suitable for nationwide shipping.
Local pickup is available for retail nursery purchases only.
Visit our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery page to explore in-person shopping options.
🚚 LIVE PLANT SHIPPING & TRANSIT EXPECTATIONS
Live plants naturally experience stress during shipping. Temporary leaf drop, mild wilting, or cosmetic stress is normal after transit. Most plants recover quickly with proper watering, gradual light exposure, and basic aftercare. Some plants may require additional attention during the first few weeks.
Despite careful packing, minor cosmetic damage may occur during transit. Small issues such as broken leaves or stems typically resolve with time and proper care.
If your shipping box arrives with significant external damage, please contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a carrier claim.
⏱️ SHIPPING METHOD, TIMING & TRANSIT WINDOWS
All online orders ship via UPS Ground from our Central Florida nursery.
📦 Shipping Schedule: Orders ship once weekly on Mondays to reduce the risk of packages sitting in transit over weekends. A countdown clock on our website displays the next shipping date.
🚚 Typical Transit Times:
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Florida: 1–2 days
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Southern U.S.: approximately 2 days
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Midwest, West & Northern U.S.: 3–5 business days
Long-distance shipments, particularly to the western U.S., may experience additional transit time due to agricultural inspections in states such as Arizona, California, and Texas.
Extended transit times can be more challenging for small or tender plants and may require additional recovery care after arrival.
🌡️ EXTREME WEATHER & SEASONAL RISK
Live plants are sensitive to temperature extremes.
We cannot guarantee plant condition during periods of extreme summer heat or winter cold and freezing temperatures. Weather-related delays, carrier interruptions, or exposure during delivery are beyond our control.
Customers are responsible for:
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Monitoring tracking information sent via email
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Retrieving packages promptly upon delivery
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Preventing plants from being left outdoors in extreme conditions
During unsafe weather, holiday shipping volume, or extended transit risk, orders may be held and shipped the following week to protect plant health.
⚠️ CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY & REFUND POLICY
By purchasing live plants, customers acknowledge and accept the risks associated with shipping, weather exposure, transit delays, and regional suitability.
Refunds or replacements are considered only under exceptional circumstances and in accordance with our return and refund policy. We are not responsible for:
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Weather-related damage
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Carrier delays
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Poor plant selection for a given climate or region
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Improper care after delivery
Upon purchase, customers assume full responsibility for the ongoing care and success of their plants.
✅ CONSENT & AGREEMENT
By completing a purchase, you confirm that you have read, understand, and agree to all shipping policies, responsibilities, and conditions outlined above.
Our goal is transparency, plant health, and long-term growing success — and we appreciate your understanding and care when ordering live plants.
