Custard apple harvest question (forum)

Peter starts with ...
Hello everyone,
I am not sure when to harvest a custard apple. The fruit is not increasing in size for several weeks now, but is still very firm. Skin color is also the same - or maybe a slightly lighter green. In my area it should be ready in winter....

Time: 17th October 2011 10:10am

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About the Author Peter36
Perth
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Merilyn says...
I bought a custard apple a couple of months ago in Townsville and it was superb, and we all agreed it was the best custard apple we had bought in a long time. There were other custard apples in the same box which were too hard and green.
Getting the ripeness of a custard apple is generally when the fruit smells really strong and sweet, not tarty at all, and the whole fruit is a tad soft when squeezed gently, but not too soft or it will be watery and may have brown flesh and be over ripe. If the custard apple is hard, try putting it in a paper bag to let it ripen with its own gas (ethylene) for a few days.
Note, I have never grown a custard apple, only seen them growing at Sunnybank in Brisbane before the land was developed into a residential area and have eaten them for 50 years. My parents loved them too.
I have grown sour sop and it is a much more tarty but sweet, watery version of custard apple. The fruit is similar, when it is ripe it is soft, but don't let it get too soft, nor pick it when it is too hard as I don't think they ripen as well when they are picked too green.

Time: 19th October 2011 1:37am

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About the Author Merilyn
Townsville
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Peter says...
Thanks Merilyn,
I will try the paper bag with the fruit still attached on the tree.
If nothing else happens after a week I will cut it off and put it in a bag together with an apple (the ethylene gas from the apple hopefully helps additionaly).
Compared with the hard and green ones I sometimes see in the supermarkets, my one should ripen as well then...

Time: 19th October 2011 10:37am

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About the Author Peter36
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