Editing Annona muricata (section)

== Cultivation ==

=== Soil and water ===

Use a fertile, moist but well-drained soil; the Guam production guide gives a pH range of 5–6.5 and cautions against saturated conditions. The Arizona arboretum guidance gives a similar mildly acidic, well-drained range of pH 5.5–6.5.<sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> Drainage is especially important where irrigation is frequent or heavy rain follows a dry period. In a pronounced dry season, maintain even root-zone moisture rather than alternating severe drying with saturation; the exact irrigation interval depends on soil and climate.

=== Sun and humidity ===

Full sun supports production, although partial shade is included in the Arizona guidance. Soursop is a frost-sensitive tropical tree and is better suited to humid conditions than to exposed cold or dry sites.<sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> Provide airflow around the canopy while protecting young trees from strong, drying winds; the Guam guide discusses windbreaks and pruning as part of orchard management.<sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup>

=== Seasonal changes ===

Flowering and fruit development are not governed by one universal calendar. In a field study of ungrafted, seed-propagated trees in two rainfed orchards in Nayarit, Mexico, flowering stages extended over 132 and 153 days, fruit development over 119 and 109 days, and fruit-maturity stages over 8–10 days at the two sites. Those measurements are specific to the orchards, their climate and management, rather than a fixed schedule for every tree.<sup id="cite_ref-5">[[#cite_note-5|[5]]]</sup>

Keep moisture available during warm, actively growing periods and reduce irrigation only as needed to match rainfall and drainage; do not allow the root zone to remain saturated. Protect the tree from frost whenever cool-season temperatures threaten, because the species is described as frost-sensitive.<sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup>