5 Tips for Growing Native Fruits of Vietnam
Do you know what biodiversity is? By definition, it is “the biological variety and variability of life on Earth”, and this includes plants, animals, fungi, and micro-organisms. So all living beings on planet Earth have credits for biodiversity. The importance of biodiversity for the survival of the planet is enormous, and it is a topic Sir David Attenborough, the greatest expert on the natural world of our time, often talks about.
Wondering why we are telling you this? Well, because some parts of the world are much more important for biodiversity than others. Here we primarily mean Southeast Asia, where over 70% of different species of living beings are located. For example, Sumatra, one of the Indonesian islands, has incomparably greater biodiversity than the whole of Europe. That is the reason why when we go to those parts of the world, we try fruits that we have never seen before. As Vietnam is a very popular tourist destination, when people return from a trip. They want to eat some of the native fruits of Vietnam again. As it is generally not possible to buy those fruits, we will give you tips on how to grow the most famous native fruits of Vietnam.
Vietnam
Vietnam is the easternmost country of the Indochinese Peninsula and has close to 100 million inhabitants. Unfortunately, it has mostly become globally famous due to the war, but fortunately, those times have passed, and now Vietnam is a highly sought-after tourist destination. People often visit the capital city of Hanoi, but even more, go to Vietnam because of the beautiful beaches and nature in general.
In terms of biodiversity, which we have already mentioned, Vietnam is among the top 20 countries with the highest level of biodiversity. Vietnam is being home to approximately 16% of the world’s species. Concerning agriculture, Vietnam is at the very top in terms of genetic diversity. That is why it is impossible to give you tips for growing native fruits of Vietnam for all kinds of fruits that exist there, but we will talk about the ones that are the most famous and sought after.
Tips for growing fruits
1. Mangosteen
Mangosteen has a fantastic taste, which cannot be compared to anything else you have tried. It is a favorite of both locals and all tourists who are lucky enough to try it. The season when it is available is very short, only during the summer, so if you do not travel to Vietnam during that time, you will not be able to try it.
However, once you taste it, you will want to have it in your backyard and eat it constantly. And it is also considered to have many medical benefits. Due to its taste and medical benefits, it is perhaps the most popular Vietnamese Fruits.
Visit https://exploreonevietnam.com/vietnamese-fruits/ to find out what medical purposes it is used for.
Still, we have to tell you something disappointing. The mangosteen tree takes about 15 years to grow enough to bear fruit. The tree can grow up to 10 meters in height, and it probably won’t grow in non-tropical environments. So, for example, if you live somewhere where it is cold in winter, you better give up. If you live in warm regions, then all you need is patience, because it is very easy to plant and maintain. Once it reaches maturity, it requires much less maintenance than most other fruit trees.
2. Jackfruit
Jackfruit has a very attractive appearance and is also very tasty, although the taste can be classified as strange for fruit. This fruit, when cooked, tastes similar to meat, so it has become a popular meat substitute for all vegans. The texture is very gummy, so it is tastier when cooked or dried.
It needs warm conditions to grow, and you can grow it from seed. It is very important that the seeds are fresh, otherwise, you will not succeed in your intention to plant Jackfruit. It is best to use the seeds a month after the harvest period. When you get the seed, put it in water for 12 to 24 hours, and then plant it. It should grow within two months, and you can keep it indoors. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait more than a decade like with the previous fruit we told you about.
3. Durian
Durian and Jackfruit are very similar at first glance, but the interior is different. Durian tastes so specific that everyone says it can’t be compared to anything. It has a very strong smell that you will feel for hours after eating it. It would be best to plant it when it is the warmest and wettest part of the year in the place where you live, because it will be closest to the natural conditions in which Durian grows. If you live somewhere where you can never provide Durian with such conditions, you can try to imitate such indoor conditions. We have one piece of advice for you that is very important. If the soil is too alkaline or acidic, Durian will not grow. So check the soil first.
4. Dragon Fruit
Dragon Fruit is one of the most visually appealing fruits in the world. Once you are thrilled with the look, you will also like the taste if you like most other tropical fruits. In Vietnam, it is often eaten for dessert. You can plant it outside, but also in a pot, which is an ideal choice if you live in cooler parts of the world. If you grow it from seed, it will take at least 5 years to grow. While if you grow it from cutting, it will take less than 2 years, so it can be considered as a better option for growing Dragon Fruit.
5. Passionfruit
You have probably heard of Passionfruit because a lot of products have that taste or smell. It is a fruit the size of a tennis ball, and it is very tasty. It has a fresh taste, so it is used in various ways. You should plant it in mid-spring or summer and provide it with a warm environment. Also, it is best to be in the shade most of the time. Like all fruits native to Southeast Asia, it needs warm and humid conditions all year round, it is best to plant it in a pot. It takes about a year and a half to bear fruit.
Conclusion:
If you have just returned from Vietnam and you have fallen in love with their fruits, our tips will surely be useful to you. Also, if you are a fruit lover, you may want to plant some kind of fruit from a completely different part of the world, so we definitely recommend you to choose the native fruits of Vietnam.