Cherimoyas

Annona cherimola

Cherimoyas are native to the Ecuadorian Andes Mountains of SA.  They are widely grown in Colombia, Ecuador & Peru.

Cherimoya can be challenging to difficult to grow in Florida because the variety typically desires less humidity and more elevation.  While some succeed well with growing the trees,  fruiting remains challenging, leaving hand pollination as the only option.

Others simply grow an atemoya instead. Atemoya are a cross of cherimoya and sugar apple.  Read more on that variety here.

Enter the 'Dream'.

Introduced to Florida by Wayne Clifton, former president of the Manatee Rare Fruit Council in Florida, 'Dream' is a hardy annona that flourishes in Florida's climate.

Origination

Annonas tend have variances in gene expression from one tree to the next within the same species, and subject to differences in their growing environment.  Given that,  and because Dream has similar characteristics to Atemoya, it is often mistakenly classified as such.    But the original tree was a seed obtained from a cherimoya farm in Peru.  My motto is never argue with the 'Little Red Hen'!

Growth

Unlike most cherimoya, Dream is remarkably hardy in Florida.   Because it is somewhat fast growing, it responds well to frequent pruning, producing a beautifully shaped tree.

Cold tolerance has been reported at 19-22°F on mature trees.  Also reported to stand up to intense heat as well.