Important Facts About the Mangosteen Seed

The irony of it all is that mangosteen seeds are not seeds at all. In fact, these adventitious embryos were not the result of sexual fertilization. When a mangosteen seed starts to grow, a shoot emerges from one end of the seed and the root from the other end. The root, which is temporary in nature, is replaced by a more permanent root at the base of the shoot.

The mangosteen seed loses vitality very quickly so it must be planted right away. Mangosteen seeds need to be planted in moist pear moss, saw dust or paper to preserve its health. A mangosteen seed has to be planted fresh because its vegetative process is different than most fruit seedlings.

A mangosteen seed could produce more than one shoot. A mangosteen seed that does this is called a polyembryonic seed whose nucellar embryos can be separated before planting. A mangosteen seed takes an average of two or three weeks to germinate and requires 50 to 75 percent shade during the first three of four years. After which, a mangosteen tree may be grown in full light. A mangosteen seed has genetically poor lateral root development and delicate taproot. This makes it extremely difficult to transplant mangosteen.

It is recommended that a more diluted or organic fertilizer be used on mangosteen seeds. This is because the mangosteen seed is very sensitive to high levels of fertilizer. Mangosteen thrives best when planted in fertile soil that has an acid pH, high organic matter content and has good drainage. During its first three years of life, a mangosteen tree should be fertilized every three or four months. After that, a mangosteen tree only needs to be fertilized once or twice a year.

Growing mangosteen fruits is basically an art and science. When one has perfected the process, it is truly worth it. Mangosteen, a highly praised fruit, is universally loved by all those who taste it. Mangosteen is abundant in the eastern part of the world. As such, mangosteen is a reflection of the people who grow it. The mangosteen has a delicate and interesting in shape, beautiful, radiating color, and an exotic and appealing flavor. All these qualities make the mangosteen a fruit cut above the rest.