Last Updated on August 10, 2022 by Cristina
Wondering how to grow a rambutan tree? I’ve got you covered in six easy steps!
Rambutan trees produce an oval-shaped fruit covered with hairy spikes. This otherworldly appearance might scare you off, but rambutan fruits are delicious! The edible white flesh inside this hairy coat resembles the sweet yet acidic flavors of fruits like strawberries and grapes.
You can eat raw rambutan fruits, use them in meals, make jams, or preserve them for deserts!
In this article, I share which season and climate are best for growing rambutan trees, give you step-by-step instructions to grow your own tree from seed, and share the amazing health benefits of this fruit.
The Best Season To Grow A Rambutan Tree
Rambutan trees need to be planted in tropical to subtropical areas. They thrive in warm regions and grow best when planted in early spring.
Plant it in an area with full sunlight and fast-draining soil.
Rambutan Tree Fruit Bearing: When And How Much
In certain areas, rambutan trees can produce fruit twice a year -in late fall and early winter and in late spring and early summer.
Rambutan trees spread quickly and grow large. You can expect to harvest 3000 to 6000 fruits in a four to seven-week period. Some trees produce even more!
Your rambutan tree will need a lot of love and special care to grow into a sturdy, fruit-bearing tree. If you feed it the proper nutrients, your tree will carry fruit in about 4 to 5 years.
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How To Grow A Rambutan Tree: Step By Step
Step 1: Consider Your Environment
Before growing a rambutan tree, consider the environmental conditions they need to thrive. If you aren’t located in an area that meets these requirements, ensure you have a greenhouse. Rambutan trees need a hot, humid location.
Step 2: Use Fresh Seeds – How To Grow A Rambutan Tree
Old seeds won’t grow. Order new seeds online or get one from fresh fruit.
Step 3: Prepare The Seed And Soil
You’ll need a clean, dry seed for planting. Wash the fleshy parts from your rambutan seed and pat it dry.
Mix organic soil and compost with sand and fill a pot with it.
Step 4: Planting Your Seed
Ensure that your container has good drainage before planting your rambutan seed. You should plant the seed horizontally with its flat side. If you do this, the tree roots will grow straight to create strong and healthy roots.
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Step 5: Care For Your Seed
Germination can take up to 21 days. Your rambutan will then need to grow for about 2 years before you can replant it into a bigger container.
Give your rambutan tree water as soon as the soil feels dry and ensure it’s in a sunny spot. Rambutan trees are sensitive to drought, especially during the first dry season. Keep your tree well moisturized to prevent growth issues.
You should control any weeds appearing next to your tree. You should also prune dead twigs and water shoots.
Step 6: Replant The Tree – How To Grow A Rambutan Tree
Once your rambutan tree is about a foot tall, you can replant it into a ceramic pot. Don’t attempt to plant it directly into the ground – the rambutan tree will still be fragile at this point.
Use a mix of vermiculture, sand, and peat to ensure excellent drainage.
Fertilize your rambutan tree every 6 months after replanting. You should look for fertilizers that contain urea, potash, and phosphate.
The Health Benefits Of Rambutan Fruits
Rambutan fruit is very healthy. Its whitish flesh contains many vitamins and minerals. Here’s what you’ll get from each fruit:
Fiber: Consuming enough fiber is important for good gut health. Rambutan fruit offers dietary fiber in its soluble and insoluble forms. This fiber will add bulk to your stools and prevent constipation.
Vitamin C: Rambutan fruit is rich in vitamin C. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant and helps protect body cells. Eating 5 or 6 rambutan fruits can make up 50% of your daily vitamin C needs.
Folate: You need high folate concentrations for healthy DNA duplication and cell division. Rambutan provides this and is safe to consume during pregnancy.
Potassium: Rambutan fruit contains potassium that can help keep your heart strong and kidneys functioning well.
Consuming rambutan fruit will help boost your immune system. It also lowers your risk for cancer and has been shown to reduce cellular damage.
In Ending, How To Grow A Rambutan Tree
Rambutan trees grow best in warm climates, but if you have a greenhouse, you can try to mimic this in your colder area. Harvesting and enjoying this tropical fruit will help you gain many health benefits! Your garden will also have a shady spot throughout the year, thanks to the evergreen properties of a rambutan tree.
Growing your own rambutan tree from seed is pretty simple if you follow the step set out in this article. Your tree will thrive in suitable soil and with the proper care and attention.
I hope this article was helpful and that you feel ready to grow a rambutan tree. If you have more questions, ask them in the comments!
FAQ’s
How fast do rambutan trees grow?
Growing a rambutan tree is pretty standard. During the first 35 days, your seeds will germinate. After that, the rambutan tree will grow big enough to re-pot within two years.
After five years, your rambutan tree will be mature and produce fruit.
How often does a rambutan bear fruit?
Rambutan trees typically produce fruit once a year, but in some regions, they can produce fruit twice yearly. Your rambutan tree will carry fruit for about 4 to six weeks.
What is the best fertilizer for rambutan?
Rambutan trees thrive on a fertilizer mixture container potash, urea, and phosphate. The amount of each will depend on the growth year your tree is in.
How tall do rambutan trees grow?
Most rambutan growers keep their trees between 4 and 8 meters tall to make harvesting the fruit easier. They do this by regularly pruning their trees.
Rambutan trees can grow 20 meters or taller if you don't prune them.