This Gardener’s Holy Grail: Mangosteen
Published by Hanna | Filed Under: My Container Garden
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I found my Holy Grail. The rare and elusive Mangosteen tree. And like the original Holy Grail, it is destined to bring me heartache, disappointment and cost alot of money in my quest to obtain and keep it. *sigh* Why do I do this to myself? Obsession, that’s why.
For those of you who are not familiar with Mangosteen, it is a native of Asia. The fruit is round, smaller than a baseball but bigger than a golf ball. It has a brown outer skin that is peeled away to reveal a snow white center that is sectioned like an orange. Its taste is a creamy rasberryish-strawberryish-peachy heavenly delight. It is call the Queen of Fruit for a very good reason. I would venture to say the taste is better than good sex (but just below great sex).
I first tasted the ambrosia called mangosteen in Thailand about 7 years ago. I was in love from the first moment the white flesh touched my lips. But mangosteen is a fickle fruit and I had my heart crushed when I returned to the US only to find out that fresh mangosteen is simply not available here.
The mangosteen fruit doesn’t ship well and even if it did, it cannot be imported because foreign grown fruit can endanger US food crops. To top it off, mangosteen fields in Hawaii, California and Florida have just not developed as well as hoped so it is not even like I could sacrifice my kid’s college education to have one of the fresh fruit shipped from within the US. I have tried the canned version but the difference in taste is like that between a store bought and homegrown tomato.
I made it my personal mission to buy a tree. For 7 long years I have scoured the internet looking for someone who sells and ships them. Did I mention that the seedlings do not ship well, either? So far I had only found a place in Hawaii but it would cost me $120 for the seedling. I wasn’t that desperate.. yet. The link is in my Favorites list for when I finally did go right over the edge.
I also had a standing email alert at eBay for the word “mangosteen”. Because eventually everything is for sale on eBay, if you are patient enough. Three days ago, I got The Email and I placed my bid and waited anxiously for the end of the auction. I nearly cried when the auction ended and I had won.
This is what obsession does to a person. This is why they have support groups for people like me. Because I don’t think we are quite right in the head.
Professional growers can’t grow these trees in climates similar to their native homeland and I, a mere hobbyist, spends $40 to have a seedling shipped to me. I think I have about a 1 in 100 chance of actually getting this little baby to survive.
Still, I am delighted. My very own mangosteen tree. Let’s say I beat the odds. Let’s say it grows to make fruit. It could happen… of course it takes them 12 years to bear fruit and I may have grandchildren before I have mangosteen fruit, but it could happen.
Published by
Hanna
on
May 30th, 2006
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My Container Garden |
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December 6th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Yes I understand the obsession - I had my first mangosteen in Singapore and have been searching for them ever since…. I am wondering if the tree survived? I did find a place in Puerto Rico that ships tropical Fruit trees - Have not tried it yet though. http://www.montosogardens.com/tropical_fruit_trees.htm
December 10th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I am greatly saddened to say that mine did not survive the winter. It did fine during the summer, but did not like the cool temps in my plant dugeon at all. I think this is just more reason for me to get a greenhouse.
Good luck with yours! I envy you if you get ripe fruit from it.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I have one suggestion for people who want to expand their growing experience to include tropical plants. Instead of trying to grow tropicals in your cold zone, use the money to buy property in the tropics and grow your tropicals there. By the time you are mature or ready to retire or solvent enough to take long vacations away from snow and cold temperatures, you will have a garden of tropical flora that you can enjoy instead of the memories of tropical plants that have died along the way. I wish I had done that. Visit Fairchild Gardens in Coral Gables, Florida and feast your eyes on what can be grown in the tropics.
March 24th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I have two seedlings that I have had for the past four months. Both are doing well and thriving. I was looking for a mangosteen club when I came across your article. Was wondering how your is growing and hwat you are doing to keep them alive.
I am growing mine in doors and they get 50-60% light and I water them four cups of water a week. They are planted in one gallong pots with orgainc soil. I have changed the soil on one plant and it still lives. The problem I have though is I live in Phoenix, Az. where the temps during summer and winter WILL kill them.
Was wondering if there is a grow club for mangosteen or am I on my own? So far they are doing great. just hope they live through summer tehy made it through winter and the temps got below freezing for a few weeks. But like I said I keep them in doors and they get filtered light.
If you can guide me in the right direction that would be great.
Also was that your posting that yours died? If so how long after you recieved them did they die?
Thank you and good look with yours.
Daniel Clark
April 27th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I think Daniel Clark has the right idea, lets start a Mangosteen Club, for those of us trying to grow this delicate Tree. I live in Las Vegas, and about to order Seedlings soon. I hope they will do well, and would love to keep in contact with other Mangosteen Growers. Daniel or anyone else interested can contact me at……….
CAMPandQUAD@yahoo.com
May 7th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I’m from India and love mangosteens. Here too, it grows only in southern india and the north east. I have a tree in my garden in Bangalore and its doing rather well. Have you seen a mangosteen flower? Its white, fleshy and about nine inches across.