How to Grow Sugar Apple from Seeds? It was my father who introduced me to the world of planting. Ours Sugar Apple or Atis in Tagalog is one of the memorable plant that my father gave to my family. With less resources for planting in the Urban community, I wonder how he was able to grow Atis from seed.
It was more than three years ago now since we planted the Sugar Apple seedling that my dad gave. It is about a ruler long when it was a seedling. I asked my dad how he germinated the seed? He just told me that it sprout from a small pot that he never mind. Once it germinated, he simply prepares small seedling recycled plastic pot for it to grow. With only few topsoil, he added coco coir that he just got free from the wet market, then added small pieces of plastic that he cut. Surprisingly, the Atis seedling survive. That is my dad’s way in growing Atis from seed with the available resources he has in the City.
Now, let me share my way of propagating sugar apple. The method of seed germination I used is the one I learned when I attended a gardening seminar at Sanctuario Nature Farms in Indang, Mendez Cavite.
How to Grow Sugar Apple from Seeds?
1.Prepare potting mix. Use 30% compost or organic fertilizer and 7% garden soil. If is abundant use 50% and 50% carbonized rice hull. You can use a plastic cup or any seedling pot to plant your seeds.
2. For faster seed germination, do seed cracking. You can use a nail cutter or scissors in removing the seed coat near the tip. Be careful not to cut the tip of the seed. This is actually the same method I used in germinating the Sunflower seeds. I posted it “How to Grow Sunflower Seeds?”
3.Sow the cracked seed with the tip facing the soil in a slightly slanting position. Do not fully cover the seed with soil.
4.Water it. Make sure the water reaches the bottom part. For faster germination, you may spray water with LABS or Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum.
How long does it take for sugar apple seeds to germinate? In my own experience, it would take one to three weeks. I tried to germinate more than three Atis seeds using this method. Each seed differs with its germination.. Do not lose hope when it didn’t germinate right away because the last one germinated is the strongest seedling which gets to live to be a tree. That is from my experience.
The sugar apple picture below is the actual Atis seedling I grow at home. I will be giving this to our close good friend.
How long does it take for a sugar apple tree to bear fruit?
Based from my
What is the season of Sugar Apple?
The good thing is that it is an all year round fruit in season. But, the most abundant season is the rainy season followed by a sunny weather.
Growing Sugar Apple tree is one of the fruit trees to consider in your home garden. Why? It is because the Atis tree is manageable. Sugar Apple tree roots are not invasive. Its branches can be easily cut compared to other fruit trees. It gives a good shade. Sugar Apple leaves has medicinal benefits and its leaves have fragrant smell.
You didn’t post a picture of the seed crackling. It’ll help.