🌸 ‘Painter’ Cherilata (Annona sp.) – Rare Collector’s Annona Hybrid 🍈

A Florida-Bred Fruit Tree for True Tropical Enthusiasts

There are fruit trees… and then there are collector trees.

The ‘Painter’ Cherilata falls firmly into the second category—an uncommon hybrid with exceptional flavor, limited availability, and a story rooted in Florida’s rare fruit culture.

If you know, you know. And if you don’t yet—this is the one that changes that.

🌿 Quick Facts

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Annona sp. ‘Painter’
Plant Type	Grafted rare tropical fruit tree
Available Size	3-Gallon (limited release)
Estimated Age	~2–3+ years
Mature Height (Unpruned)	15–20 ft
Pruned Height	8–12 ft (recommended)
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 resilience)

🍈 What Makes This Tree a Collector’s Piece?

This isn’t a mass-produced fruit tree—it’s a select hybrid developed by a respected Florida breeder and shared among enthusiasts who value:

• 🌿 Genetic uniqueness (Cherimoya × Custard Apple)
• 🍮 Exceptional dessert-quality fruit
• 🌴 Adaptation to Florida’s humidity and soils
• 🌸 Limited production & availability

Most growers will never come across this cultivar in a standard nursery setting.

👉 That’s exactly why it stands out.

🌎 The Story Behind ‘Painter’ Cherilata

Created by John Painter on Pine Island, Florida, this hybrid was intentionally developed to combine:

• The creamy, premium texture of Cherimoya (Annona cherimola)
• The fragrant, floral sweetness of Custard Apple (Annona reticulata)

Then grafted onto pond apple rootstock, known for its ability to thrive in Florida’s wet, sandy, and sometimes challenging soils.

This combination makes it not just rare—but purposefully adapted.

🍮 Fruit Profile – Why Collectors Seek This One Out

• Flavor: Rich, custard-like with floral tropical notes
• Texture: Smooth, creamy, almost spoonable
• Aroma: Subtle vanilla + lychee
• Harvest Season (FL): Late summer to early fall
• Yield: Moderate to high with maturity

💡 Insider Tip:

Hand pollination is standard practice among serious Annona collectors—this is how you unlock the full potential of the fruit.

🌱 Beyond Flavor – The Real Value

Collectors don’t just grow this tree for fruit—they grow it for what it represents:

• 🌿 A bridge between two elite Annona species
• 🌳 A tree that performs where others struggle
• 🌸 A conversation piece in any orchard or garden
• 🍈 A fruit that’s rarely seen in markets—grown, not bought

This is the kind of tree that becomes a centerpiece in a curated collection.

🌳 Seasonal Behavior (Florida & Zone 9 Insight)

• Spring: New flush of growth 🌱
• Summer: Flowering + canopy expansion 🌸
• Late Summer–Fall: Fruit development 🍈
• Winter: Semi-deciduous 🍂

🍃 Leaf drop is normal and often precedes strong new growth.

🪴 Growing This Tree – What Experienced Growers Know

Location

• Full sun preferred
• Protect from strong winds

Soil & Drainage

• Must be well-draining
• Benefits from planting high & tight

Watering

• 💧 Consistent moisture early on
• Avoid soggy roots

Fertility

• Balanced organic feeding
• Supplement with compost + trace minerals

Pruning

• ✂️ Keep canopy open
• Maintain harvestable height (8–12 ft)

Pollination

• 🐝 Natural pollination varies
• Hand pollination = best results

🌿 Companion Planting (Collector-Level Guild)

To maximize performance:

• Nitrogen Fixers: Pigeon Pea, Perennial Peanut
• Pollinator Plants: Mexican Sunflower, Firebush
• Biomass Support: Chaya, Vetiver Grass

These combinations mimic natural systems and elevate fruit production.

🔍 Troubleshooting Guide

⚠️ Issue	🧠 Cause	🌿 Solution
🍂 Yellow Leaves	💦 Excess moisture	Improve drainage
🍃 Leaf Drop	🧘 Seasonal cycle	Normal
🪲 Poor Fruit Set	🐝 Low pollination	Hand pollinate
🍄 Leaf Spot	🌧️ Humidity	Neem or copper
❄️ Cold Stress	Frost exposure	Protect young trees

⚠️ Cautions

• Not ideal for poorly drained soils
• Requires light pruning and attention
• Benefits from active pollination for best yields

🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?

✅ Ideal For:

• Rare fruit collectors
• Tropical fruit enthusiasts
• Florida & subtropical growers
• Food forest designers

❌ Not Ideal For:

• Set-it-and-forget-it growers
• Cold climates without protection
• Poor drainage conditions

❓ FAQ

Why is this considered rare?

→ Limited propagation + niche collector demand

Is this better than Atemoya?

→ Different—more floral, more custard-forward

How soon will it fruit?

→ Typically within 1–3 years in good conditions

Can it handle Florida rain?

→ Yes—thanks to pond apple rootstock

🚚 Shipping & Handling

• Ships via UPS Ground (Mondays)
• Best suited for FL, Southeast, TX

⚠️ Buyer assumes risk for long-distance or extreme weather shipping

Allow 30 days recovery before transplanting

🌾 Local Pickup Available

GreenDreams Nursery & Farm

18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610

🕘 Tues–Fri 9–5 | Sat 8–3

🌿 Visit us to explore rare fruit trees in person

🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services

We don’t just offer rare plants—we help you build systems around them:

• 🌳 Edible landscape design
• 🚜 Installation services
• 🚚 Bulk soil & mulch delivery
• 🌾 Regenerative planning

Build something truly unique 🌿