Mangosteen production
Mangosteen thrives best in deep, slightly acidic soil with high oraganic matter. Soils with good aeration and drainage are also suitable. The tree is slow growing and favors rainy climate with few seasonal variation in rainfall and temperature.
Variety
The seed of mangosteen is apomictic and the plant develops from it carries the same characteristics of the mother plant which explains the existence of only one variety.
Preparation of planting materials
Extract seed from fully ripe fruits. Seeds of more than one gram are to be selected for good germination
Newly extracted seeds must be sown right away to obtain high per cent germination.
Mixture of fine sand, compost and garden soil at equal proportion or using only coir dust is a preferred germination medium.
Seedlings are pricked to the polyethylene bags with same mixture in germination media while the cotyledons are still attached to the seedlings.
Water the seedlings regularly after pricking.
Seedlings are ready for field planting in 24-36 months to minimize maintenance expense in the field as young seedlings are require utmost care.
Land preparation
Clear/underbrush and remove all stumps.
Plow and harrow to loosen the soil.
Plant temporary shade (caca0, coffee, banana and other presenial crops) six months to one year ahead.
Harvesting
Harvesting the fruits when they are fully ripe (113 days) or when pericarp is greenish brown.
Pick the fruit by hand with pedicel attached to the fruit, and /or use bamboo poles with hook and net at the end for taller trees.
After harvest, the fruits should be handled and packed with care for longer storage life.
Insect pests, diseases and their control
Insect pests part of plant attached Control measures
Thrips flushes, flowers and fruits spray roxion, rogor, azodrin
Tussock caterpillar flushes, leaves spray sevin, malathion, decis
Mites flushes, fruits Spray sevin, ,malathion, dicarzol, acricid
Mealybugs flushes, fruits spray sevin, decis, malathion
Planting
Remove the plastic bag and plant the seedling an inch from the original soil line without breaking the ball of soil
Cover the hole with top soil and press gently.
Apply as basal 50 grams (5 tbsp) of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) or based on soil analysis and cover with thin layers of top soil.
Stake at a distance of 8-10 meters between hills and between rows. Prepare holes , 30 centimeters in diameter at a depth of 30 centimeters. It can also be planted 8 x 8 meters or 10 x 10 meters using square or quincunz planting.
Replant dead plants the soonest to acquire uniform tree size.
Maintenance
Ringweed every 3 months
Intercrop with leguminous plants
Fertilization Schedule
Plant age/stage Kind of Fertilizer Rate/ Plant
Vegetative stage nitrogenous/foliar fertilizer 5 kg/ha
Bearing stage complete fertilizer 5-7 kg/ tree/ year
The rate increases as the size of the tree increases. Make the necessary changes should soil analysis require.