New chrimoya leaf buds are under (behind) the stem of the leaf and force the leaf off the branch when they push new leaves. This usually happenes once a year. I’m betting your tree starts pushing new leaves in the next couple of weeks.

edit: actually, zooming into your pic I can see the buds that pushed the leaves off.

Thanks for the info! How long does this process normally take? It has been without leaves for several weeks now. Also does that mean the tree is dormant? Should I water it or not?

Cherimoya “dormancy” is not like that of a stone fruit or pecan tree, it is a very short break while the new emerging leaves push off the old leaves. The timing for yours is wierd, but that may be because you are growing it indoors.

As far as watering is concerned I would only water when the soil dries on the top couple of inches so the roots don’t dry up. Moisture leaves the tree through expiration which is limited because it has no leaves. Too much water and the roots rot, not enough and the roots dry up.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Yes....Cherimoya loses its leafs before putting the news or if the winter is cold (but with temperature above -2°)