In this article, we will answer these questions and provide a step-by-step guide on how to cultivate mangosteen fruit trees from seeds or cuttings. We will also give you some tips on how to care for your mangosteen tree and harvest its fruits.

Mangosteen is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia with a delicious sweet and sour taste. The fruit is often called the “queen of tropical fruits” because of its exquisite flavor and health benefits. Mangosteen fruit has a thick purple rind enclosing juicy white segments that may contain seeds. The fruit is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and other nutrients that can boost your immune system, fight inflammation, and prevent infections.

But how can you grow your own mangosteen fruit tree at home? Is it possible to cultivate this fruit in your backyard or in a pot? Let’s Learn.

What You Need to Know Before Growing Mangosteen Fruit Trees

Before you start growing mangosteen fruit trees, there are some important things you need to know about this plant. Mangosteen is a slow-growing evergreen tree that can reach up to 25 meters (82 feet) in height in its natural habitat. However, in cultivation, it usually grows to about 6 to 10 meters (20 to 33 feet) tall. The tree has dark green glossy leaves that are oblong and opposite on the stem. The flowers on the tree are sizable and colored rose-pink. They have the potential to be either male or intersex.

Mangosteen is a very picky plant that requires specific conditions to thrive. The plant requires temperatures between four and 37°C (40-100°F), high humidity, rainfall, and well-drained soil. It thrives in deep, organic soil, is sensitive to direct sunlight and strong winds, and is susceptible to pests and diseases like anthracnose, leaf spot, fruit rot, and fruit flies.

Mangosteen is also a very slow producer of fruits. It takes about 8 to 15 years for a seedling to bear fruits, and even then, the yield may be low or irregular. The fruits are usually harvested between June and October, depending on the climate and location. The fruits are ripe when they turn dark purple and have a soft rind that can be easily opened by hand.

ripe mangosteen fruit

How to Cultivate Mangosteen Fruit Trees from Seeds

One way to grow mangosteen fruit trees is by planting seeds. However, this method is not very reliable or easy, as the seeds have a low germination rate and lose their viability quickly. Therefore, you need to use fresh seeds from ripe fruits that have not been exposed to air or water for more than a day.

Here are the steps to follow if you want to grow mangosteen fruit trees from seeds:

1. Choose a ripe mangosteen fruit that has a soft rind and no cracks or bruises. Cut open the fruit carefully and remove the white segments inside. Each segment may contain one or more seeds that are brown and flattened.
2. Wash the seeds gently with water and remove any pulp or fibers attached to them. Please do not soak the seeds in water or let them dry out.
3. Prepare a pot or container with drainage holes and fill it with a sterile potting mix that contains peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, or sand. The potting mix should be moist but not soggy.
4. Plant the seeds about 2 cm (0.8 inch) deep in the potting mix and cover them lightly with more soil. You can plant one or more seeds per pot, depending on the size of the container.
5. Place the pot in a warm and humid place with indirect light. You can use a plastic bag or a dome to cover the pot and create a mini greenhouse effect.
6. Water the pot regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Do not overwater or underwater the seeds, as this can cause them to rot or dry out.
7. Wait for the seeds to germinate, which may take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the freshness and quality of the seeds.
8. Once the seeds sprout, remove the cover and move the pot to a brighter location with filtered sunlight. Avoid direct sun exposure, as this can burn the seedlings.
9. Transplant the seedlings into larger pots or containers when they have at least two pairs of true leaves. Use a similar potting mix as before and water them well after transplanting.
10. Fertilize the seedlings every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
11. Prune the seedlings lightly to encourage branching and bushy growth.

How to Cultivate Mangosteen Fruit Trees from Cuttings

Another way to grow mangosteen fruit trees is by taking cuttings from mature trees. This method is more reliable and faster than growing from seeds, as the cuttings will produce fruits in about 3 to 5 years. However, this method requires more skill and care, as the cuttings are prone to wilting and infection.

Here are the steps to follow if you want to grow mangosteen fruit trees from cuttings:

1. Choose a healthy and productive mangosteen tree that is at least ten years old and has a good fruiting history. Avoid trees that are diseased, stressed, or damaged.
2. Select a branch that is about 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 inch) in diameter and has several nodes and leaves. The branch should be young, green, and flexible but not too soft or woody.
3. Cut the branch with a sharp and sterile knife or pruning shears at an angle of about 45 degrees. The cutting should be about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) long and have at least three nodes and leaves.
4. Remove the lower leaves and any flowers or fruits from the cutting. Leave only two or three leaves at the top of the cutting.
5. Dip the cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone powder or gel that contains indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). This will help the cutting to form roots faster and prevent fungal infections.
6. Prepare a pot or container with drainage holes and fill it with a sterile potting mix that contains peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, or sand. The potting mix should be moist but not soggy.
7. Make a hole in the potting mix with your finger or a pencil and insert the cutting into it. Bury the cutting up to the first node and press the soil firmly around it.
8. Place the pot in a warm and humid place with indirect light. You can use a plastic bag or a dome to cover the pot and create a mini greenhouse effect.
9. Water the pot regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Do not overwater or underwater the cutting as this can cause it to rot or dry out.
10. Wait for the cutting to root, which may take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the season and the quality of the cutting.
11. Once the cutting has rooted, remove the cover and move the pot to a brighter location with filtered sunlight. Avoid direct sun exposure as this can burn the cutting.
12. Transplant the cutting into a larger pot or container when it has developed a strong root system and new growth. Use a similar potting mix as before and water it well after transplanting.
13. Fertilize the cutting every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
14. Prune the cutting lightly to encourage branching and bushy growth.

How to Care for Your Mangosteen Fruit Tree

Once you have successfully grown your mangosteen fruit tree from seeds or cuttings, you need to take good care of it to ensure its health and productivity.

Here are some tips on how to care for your mangosteen fruit tree:

• Water your mangosteen tree regularly and deeply, especially during dry periods. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged. Avoid watering the leaves or fruits, as this can cause fungal diseases.
• Fertilize your mangosteen tree every month during the growing season with a balanced organic fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, and molybdenum. Follow the instructions on the label and do not overfertilize, as this can burn the roots or cause salt accumulation in the soil.
• Mulch your mangosteen tree with organic matter such as compost, leaf litter, grass clippings, or straw to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, improve soil structure, and add nutrients.
• Prune your mangosteen tree annually in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove any dead, diseased, damaged, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and light penetration. Shape your tree into a pyramid form with a single trunk and several main branches that are evenly spaced and angled upward.
• Protect your mangosteen tree from pests and diseases by regularly inspecting it and applying organic or chemical controls. Some common pests that attack mangosteen trees are scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, thrips, mites, caterpillars, beetles, borers, ants, and fruit flies. Some common diseases that affect mangosteen trees are anthracnose, leaf spot, fruit rot, stem canker, root rot, gummosis, dieback, and wilt.
• Harvest your mangosteen fruits when they are fully ripe and have a dark purple color.

Conclusion

Mangosteen is a delicious and nutritious tropical fruit that can be grown at home with some patience and care. Following the steps in this guide, you can learn how to grow mangosteen fruit trees from seeds or cuttings and maintain them for optimal health and productivity. Growing your mangosteen fruit trees can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby that provides fresh and organic fruits for years.

FAQs

1. What is the ideal climate for growing a mangosteen tree?

The ideal climate for growing a mangosteen tree is consistently warm and humid tropical conditions, with temperatures ranging between 25-35°C (77-95°F).

2. How do I propagate mangosteen from seeds?

To propagate mangosteen from seeds, extract seeds from fresh, healthy fruits, clean them thoroughly, and sow them in well-draining soil or biodegradable pots. Keep the soil moist and maintain a warm temperature to encourage germination.

3. How should I prepare the planting site for a mangosteen tree?

Prepare the planting site by digging a 4 x 4 x 4 ½ (1-2 m) pit and enriching the soil with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. Ensure the location has well-draining soil and receives ample sunlight.

4. What are the watering and irrigation requirements to cultivate a mangosteen fruit tree?

Mangosteen trees require consistent moisture, especially during the first three months after planting. They need an annual rainfall of at least 50 inches, so provide supplemental water if necessary.

5. How often should I fertilize my mangosteen tree?

Young mangosteen trees should be fertilized every three to four months with a complete fertilizer. Adjust the fertilization schedule and amounts as the tree matures.

6. What is the importance of pruning a mangosteen tree?

Pruning is essential to maintain the shape of the mangosteen tree, promote healthy growth, improve air circulation, and enhance fruit production.

7. When is the right time to harvest mangosteen fruits?

Mangosteen fruits are ready for harvest when the pericarps turn purple, typically 5-6 months after maturation.

8. How do I properly harvest mangosteen fruits?

To harvest mangosteen fruits, gently twist or cut the fruit from the tree, being careful not to damage the stem or surrounding branches.

9. What is the best way to store and preserve mangosteen fruits?

Store mangosteen fruits at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, and consume them within a few days of harvesting. For longer storage, refrigerate the fruits in a sealed container or freeze the fruit pulp.

10. How Long For Mangosteen To Bear Fruit?

With good care, it bears fruit in 5-7 years after planting. Yield may vary by season and by the plant. Usually bears fruit in succession. But there are varieties that bear fruit every year. Can bear fruit for up to 100 years, but trees reach maturity in 30-45 years and can produce up to 3,000 fruits per tree. Age-wise, the average number of fruits is mentioned… 

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