Where Does Mangosteen Grow?

[lynnicky]

Where Does Mangosteen Grow?

LocationThe mangosteen tree is found predominantly in Southeast Asia in countries like China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and Philippines. There has been attempts to grow them in the US but it has not been successful. In Hawaii, the tree has not acclimatized and is rare in those islands. Neither has it been successful in California. The soil and climate in Florida is very unfavorable. Some plants have been grown for a time in containers in greenhouses. One tree, protected and grown in special soil lived to produce a single fruit before succumbing to winter cold.

ClimateThe mangosteen is ultra-tropical and cannot tolerate temperatures below 40º F (4.44º C), nor above 100º F (37.78º C). Seedlings are killed at 45º F (7.22º C).

It is limited in Malaya to elevations below 1,500 ft (450 m); In Madras it grows from 250 to 5,000 ft (76-1,500 m) above sea-level; and attempts to establish it north of 200 latitude have failed.

Mangosteen ordinarily requires high atmospheric humidity and an annual rainfall of 50 inches (127 cm) and no long periods of drought. In Dominica, mangosteens growing in an area having 80 inches (200 cm) of rain yearly required special care, but another locality with 105 inches (255 cm) and better moisture- holding soil capacity, flourished.

SoilMangosteen is not adapted to limestone and requires deep, rich organic soil, especially sandy loam or laterite. In India, the most productive specimens are on clay containing coarse material and a little silt. Sandy alluvial soils are not suitable for the mangosteen tree and sand low in humus contributes to the tree's low yields. Mangosteen needs good drainage and the water table ought to be about 6 ft (1.8 m) below ground level. The mangosteen must be sheltered from strong winds and salt spray.

PropagationTechnically, the so-called "seeds" are not true seeds but adventitious embryos, or hypocotyl tubercles, inasmuch as there has been no sexual fertilization. Some of the seeds are polyembryonic, producing more than one shoot. The individual nucellar embryos can be separated, if desired, before planting.

Inasmuch as the percentage of germination is directly related to the weight of the seed, only plump, fully developed seeds should be chosen for planting. Even these will lose viability in 5 days after removal from the fruit, though they are viable for 3 to 5 weeks in the fruit. Soaking in water for 24 hours expedites and enhances the rate of germination. Generally, sprouting occurs in 20 to 22 days and is complete in 43 days.

The young plants take 2 years or more to reach a height of 12 in (30 cm). Fruiting may take place in 7 to 9 years from planting but usually not for 10 or even 20 years.

Conventional vegetative propagation of the mangosteen is difficult.

[mexican mama]

i love Mangosteen, its very abundant in the Philippines (where i grew up)especially in the summer.

[jazel]

Mangosteen grows in the Philippines. I love mangosteens!! my mom used to boil its skin and drink the extract!! it is a very powerful for preventing cancer..

[Maralyn45]

In phillipines...are very healthy from health point of you..

[a1c0l33n]

i've seen one but don't remember if i already tasted it..
or it's that long the last time i ate mangosteen..

[JandD]

Yes! that's right.. mangosteen does grow here in the philippines, especially where I lived right now called DAVAO CITY. I have heard about mangosteen. It's very popular in this place, although I did not grow up here (I'm from Cebu in the Philippines).... and have not tried it yet, but I will.... and will tell you all how it tastes!

I do not know how to put smilies, so will leave it at that first, like this...

[MannyLirio]

I am also agree with your opinion that they grow in Philippines. Its the natural medicine for cancer patients. They must try to add it to their daily diet.

[Zara Mari]

Do you have any idea about the good effects of this fruit when consumed on human health? I often see it in my country but haven't tried eating it. I don't know why but I really don't.

[jerryforeman]

It is normally grown in the Asian counties.

[SolarOvenSociety]

Dear Lynnicky,

I found this piece very useful as I brainstorm ways to create sustainable local economies in the country of Indonesia.

Sincerely,
SolarOvenSociety

Originally Posted by lynnicky

Where Does Mangosteen Grow?

LocationThe mangosteen tree is found predominantly in Southeast Asia in countries like China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and Philippines. There has been attempts to grow them in the US but it has not been successful. In Hawaii, the tree has not acclimatized and is rare in those islands. Neither has it been successful in California. The soil and climate in Florida is very unfavorable. Some plants have been grown for a time in containers in greenhouses. One tree, protected and grown in special soil lived to produce a single fruit before succumbing to winter cold.

ClimateThe mangosteen is ultra-tropical and cannot tolerate temperatures below 40º F (4.44º C), nor above 100º F (37.78º C). Seedlings are killed at 45º F (7.22º C).

It is limited in Malaya to elevations below 1,500 ft (450 m); In Madras it grows from 250 to 5,000 ft (76-1,500 m) above sea-level; and attempts to establish it north of 200 latitude have failed.

Mangosteen ordinarily requires high atmospheric humidity and an annual rainfall of 50 inches (127 cm) and no long periods of drought. In Dominica, mangosteens growing in an area having 80 inches (200 cm) of rain yearly required special care, but another locality with 105 inches (255 cm) and better moisture- holding soil capacity, flourished.

SoilMangosteen is not adapted to limestone and requires deep, rich organic soil, especially sandy loam or laterite. In India, the most productive specimens are on clay containing coarse material and a little silt. Sandy alluvial soils are not suitable for the mangosteen tree and sand low in humus contributes to the tree's low yields. Mangosteen needs good drainage and the water table ought to be about 6 ft (1.8 m) below ground level. The mangosteen must be sheltered from strong winds and salt spray.

PropagationTechnically, the so-called "seeds" are not true seeds but adventitious embryos, or hypocotyl tubercles, inasmuch as there has been no sexual fertilization. Some of the seeds are polyembryonic, producing more than one shoot. The individual nucellar embryos can be separated, if desired, before planting.

Inasmuch as the percentage of germination is directly related to the weight of the seed, only plump, fully developed seeds should be chosen for planting. Even these will lose viability in 5 days after removal from the fruit, though they are viable for 3 to 5 weeks in the fruit. Soaking in water for 24 hours expedites and enhances the rate of germination. Generally, sprouting occurs in 20 to 22 days and is complete in 43 days.

The young plants take 2 years or more to reach a height of 12 in (30 cm). Fruiting may take place in 7 to 9 years from planting but usually not for 10 or even 20 years.

Conventional vegetative propagation of the mangosteen is difficult.