This natural carpet helps conserve precious soil biodiversity. Under each of the trees, deep mulch beds are watered by an extensive irrigation system developed in Israel for high water conservation and exacting delivery of controlled water rations. The Calimoya purveyors take special care to conserve the valuable hillside soil, prevent erosion while deeply irrigating the Cherimoya trees. From fall until late spring the Cherimoya jungle is deep in foliage and set heavy with fruit. In summer, the orchard takes on a new look.
Growers skillfully prune each tree to enhance the root and tree structure for ideal fruiting.
In midsummer, small flowers and delicate leaves emerge, decorating the trees. The inundation of Cherimoya aromas released by new flowers tell the Calimoya growers the trees are ready to be hand-pollinated. Every season, the cycle begins all over again. Well over a hundred different varieties of fruit trees are cultivated at the Calimoya Orchards , but the cherimoyas are the most rewarding both in the fields and on the table. Calimoya also maintains an experimental grove of Lychee and Longans which are part of a joint project with the University of California Extension Service.