Mangosteen Planting and Fertilizing Techniques

Mangosteen is a tropical fruit popular across Asia. In Vietnam, this fruit tree is widely grown in the Southeast region and the Mekong Delta. Recently, mangosteen chicken salad has suddenly become a sought-after dish that has sparked many people's curiosity. As a result, the price of this produce has risen many times above normal, bringing huge profits to farmers.

This is welcome news for farmers currently growing mangosteen. On this occasion, let's learn about mangosteen care and fertilizing techniques with Viet Nga Fertilizer!

1. Mangosteen Planting and Care Techniques

1.1. Suitable Ecological Conditions for Mangosteen

– Climate: temperatures of 25 – 35°C are suitable for mangosteen growth and development. When young, mangosteen is a shade-loving plant, so it needs shade netting to grow well. As the tree matures, it needs high humidity, abundant rainfall and many hours of sunshine, like other tropical crops.

– Soil: mangosteen prefers clay soil and does not tolerate saline or acid sulfate soil. The planting site should have a cultivable layer more than 50 cm deep, be level, well drained and close to a source of irrigation water. In low-lying or frequently flooded areas, dig ditches and build raised beds to ensure drainage.

– Orchard density: on average, trees are spaced 7 – 10 m apart, corresponding to 100 – 200 trees/ha.

– Varieties: mangosteen is difficult to propagate by grafting, with a high mortality rate. Therefore, the most common propagation method today is still from seed. Some popular mangosteen varieties in Vietnam are: Lai Thieu mangosteen, Thai mangosteen,…

1.2. Mangosteen Care Techniques

Several pests and diseases reduce yield and fruit quality on mangosteen, and farmers need to prevent and treat them promptly, such as: leaf miners, thrips, red spider mites, gummosis, hard fruit (translucent flesh) disorder, anthracnose,…

In addition, a fertilizing regime suited to the tree's needs at each stage not only helps the tree grow well and bear fruit with high yields but also saves farmers money and labor.

Mangosteen chicken salad is loved and sought after by many people. Source: Tan Dat – Thanh Nien Newspaper

2. Mangosteen Fertilizing Techniques

2.1. Basal Application

Dig planting holes about 60 x 60 x 60 cm or 80 x 80 x 80 cm. Apply 10 – 15 kg of Goneco 06 or Nauy Gronn organic fertilizer and 0.3 – 0.5 kg of NPK 16-16-8+TE Viet Nga per hole, mixed with enough topsoil to fill the hole, 15 – 30 days before planting.

2.2. Top-Dressing

Dig a trench 10 – 30 cm wide and 10 – 20 cm deep at about 2/3 of the canopy radius. Divide into 2 fertilizing periods: before the tree bears fruit and while the tree is bearing fruit.

2.2.1. Non-Bearing Period

Annual rate per tree: 0.5 – 1 kg of NPK 20-20-15+TE Viet Nga.

Split the above amount into 2 applications at the beginning and end of the rainy season. Dissolve the fertilizer in irrigation water, or lightly loosen the soil around the base, spread the fertilizer and then water.

Apply less in the first year and increase gradually in following years; the tree will start bearing fruit after 5 – 7 years.

2.2.2. Bearing Period

Annual rate per tree: 10 – 20 kg of Goneco 06 or Nauy Gronn organic fertilizer to maintain long-term soil fertility, applied all at once after harvest. Apply chemical fertilizer 3 times:

– 1st application: After harvest and orchard cleaning, the tree needs plenty of nitrogen and phosphorus; apply 2 – 4 kg of NPK 20-20-15+TE Viet Nga or NPK 16-16-8+TE Viet Nga per tree.

– 2nd application: 30 – 40 days before flowering, the tree needs plenty of phosphorus and potassium. Use two fertilizers, DAP 18-46 Viet Nga and Kali Clorua 61 Viet Nga, at 2 – 4 kg/tree each.

During flowering and fruit set, farmers can additionally apply Canxi Nitrate Viet Nga at 100 – 300 g/ha per application (with a high added boron content) to reduce flower drop and improve fruit set, helping farmers increase output and yield at harvest.

– 3rd application: After fruit set, increase potassium. Apply NPK 16-16-16+TE Viet Nga at 2 – 4 kg/tree.

To apply, loosen the soil around the base along the canopy line, spread the fertilizer and then cover with soil. In addition, spray foliar fertilizer 2 – 3 times in each period (if necessary).

Above are the mangosteen planting and fertilizing techniques for high yields. We wish farmers effective cultivation, bountiful harvests and good prices!