So before we get to how to grow durian from seeds lets give you some background. If you have traveled to the Southeast Asian region, you may at least have heard of a fruit that is infamous or famous depending on which person you talk to. And yes, I am referring to the Durian fruit. What makes it famous or infamous really? Depending on who you ask, some people like its strong odor and its unique tastes, while others absolutely hated it. Locals say that you will eventually get used to its strong odor and even can come to like its tastes (yeh I’m really talking it up, I know!).
Despite its strong odor, it is actually quite a healthy fruit, even more so when compared to other fruits. It is very rich in vitamins and nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Potassium, Fiber, and iron. This fruit also improves muscle strength, skin health and can even lower blood pressure. A warning though, avoid eating the fruit in excessive amounts as it would cause some immediate health complications such as dizziness and shortness of breath.
Durian is a big spiky fruit normally grown in tropical areas. You don’t have to live in the tropics to be able to learn how to grow durian from seeds though. If you live in a warm climate or are able to imitate a tropical setting indoors for your plant then you can grow a durian tree at your house too.I love the idea of imitating a tropical setting in my house, I might just do it for my own liking.
In some regions the durian is known as The King of Fruits. It got this nickname because of it’s big size and strong odor. These bad boys can weigh anywhere from 2-7lbs and can be as big as 12 inches long! That’s one massive fruit. If go big or go home is your motto then you may be wondering about how to grow durian from seeds so you can have a tree at your home.
How To Plant Durian Seeds Outside
If you live in a warmer region and want to know how to plant durian seeds outside, you’re in luck! They also love a rainy environment. Check online to see how often it rains per year in your region. If you receive anywhere from 60-150 inches of rain per year then a durian tree will thrive there. If not, you can still water your plant a lot. A thing to note is that durian trees cannot withstand more than 3 months of drought.
If you live in equatorial regions, the best season to plant your durian plant is during winter months from November to mid January, and not in February to March since those months are dry months. In areas that are far from equatorial regions, its best that you plant your durian in early spring.
Your durian tree will not survive cold weather. Don’t plant one outside if the temperature ever drops below 45 degrees fahrenheit because it will wither up and die. Wait for the hottest and rainiest time of the year to start your durian tree so they can have their ideal environment to start growing in.
When choosing a location for your plant, make sure it gets an adequate amount of shade. Younger durian trees can’t survive full sun. Try to plant it near other trees for some shade.
Before planting your durian plant outside, make sure the soil is in good condition. You will want the ph balance of the soil to be between 6.0-7.0. Soil with a ph balance higher than 7.0 needs compost mixed in, and soil lower than 6.0 needs a cup of dolomite or quick lime.
How To Grow Durian Fruit
Now that we have gone over what you need to know in order to create the ideal environment for your durian tree, let’s learn how to grow durian fruit. You can get your seeds directly out of the durian fruit to plant.
When you have chosen where you are going to plant your durian fruit, dig up 1.5 feet of soil. Now combine that soil with compost so it is a mixture of 1 part soil and 1 part compost and put it back in the hole.
Place your durian seed on top of the soil and without burying it, just push it down lightly so it’s in the soil with the majority of the seed visible. The seed will sprout and attach itself to soil within a couple of days. Durian fruit seeds can be planted immediately after taking them out of the fruit without the need for a germination period. It is usually after a day or 2 that the durian seed attaches itself to the soil.
Make sure you weed around your tree daily. Weeds like to steal all the water and nutrients from the soil, leaving you plant hungry. Use your hands to pull out weeds so you don’t disrupt the durian’s roots. They have delicate roots at the beginning of their growth stages.
How To Grow Durian from seeds Indoors
If you live in an area that doesn’t have the ideal climate for growing durian fruit outdoors then you can still learn how to grow durian from seed indoors. Before you start germinating those seeds, make sure you have the proper size pot for your tree. The pot needs to be at least 5 gallons (19 litres) deep and you should put a layer of gravel on the bottom for proper drainage. The ideal soil for your durian plant should be a good mixture of 1 part soil and 1 part organic compost. This mixture ensures that your soil is a well-draining soil, which avoids water from standing still which can cause durian plants roots to rot or drown.
Soak a piece of paper towel and set it in a plastic sandwich bag with your durian seed. Seal up the bag so it develops condensation to help the seed develop quicker. Find an area with at least 4-6 hours of sun per day so they bag heats up, speeding up the process.
In about 4-5 days you should see roots appear that look like little yellow tendrils. Once the root has appeared your seed is ready to plant. Place it directly on top of a pot filled with soil and compost. Same as planting a seed outside, just gently push it into the soil so the seed is still visible. It’s roots will cling onto the soil.
One thing to know about how to grow durian fruit is that it is one thirsty plant. You will need to give your plant 1.1-1.6 gallon (4-6 liters) of water every day! When your tree develops fruit it will need even more, 1.6-2.1 gallons (6-8 liters) each day. Make sure you keep the room your tree is in at 75-85 degrees fahrenheit.
How Big Do Durian Trees Get?
Before planting a durian you may be wondering how big do durian trees get, and this is a reasonable question because you will need a lot of room! A durian tree can grow to be anywhere from 80-150 feet tall! Will you have room for that in your house?
How Long Does It Take For A Durian Tree To Bear Fruit?
Once a durian tree has been planted it can take anywhere from 7-10 years to start growing fruit. It may be a long wait, but you will be rewarded with fruit for the rest of your life.
It is important to continually maintain the tree in those 7-10 years to have it produce more fruit. As stated earlier, when choosing the location, the tree should be planted out from direct sunlight and in shady areas especially so in its first year. Your durian tree also needs protection from strong winds. Strong winds can cause your durians’s branches and leaves to twist which would setback its growth.
Proper pruning is also needed in maintaining this tree. The way farmers do it in Southeast Asian regions is that they prune off dead branches, dead leaves, or diseased branches. This is done so that the durian will not waste unnecessary energy and only focus on its growth.
How to Eat Durian Fruit
First of all we have already mentioned that it is a stinky fruit so beware! If that hasn’t put you off then here is when and how to eat durian.
- Choose a ripe durian: Durians are typically ripe when they have a strong, sweet smell and their thorny husk is slightly soft to the touch. You can also tell if a durian is ripe by gently shaking it – if the seeds move inside, it is likely ripe.
- Cut the durian open: Use a sharp knife to cut the durian open along the seams of its husk. Be careful, as the fruit inside can be slippery.
- Remove the flesh: Use your fingers to pry open the durian and remove the creamy yellow flesh inside. Some durians may have hard seeds in the center, so be sure to remove these as well.
- Eat the flesh: Durian can be eaten raw or used in desserts like ice cream or cakes. To eat it raw, simply bite into the creamy flesh and enjoy the sweet, slightly nutty flavor. As we have mentioned, durian has a strong odor that some people find unpleasant (or downright nasty depending on your nose), so you may want to eat it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area (read that as you WILL want to eat it outdoors).
- Store any leftover durian: If you have any leftover durian (and you don’t mind the smell), store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container as it will keep for a few days.
Overall, durian is a unique and flavorful fruit that can be enjoyed raw or in a variety of desserts. With a little practice, you can learn to appreciate its distinctive taste and texture.
Final Thoughts on how to grow durian from seeds
if you have plans to bring the fruit around, avoid bringing it in public transportations. People that are not used to seeing or smelling the fruit will hate its smell. In many tropical countries they are banned in airports and hotels so you have been warned!
Durian trees are quite exotic, so if you are looking for something to grow that is more of a challenge than consider this king of fruits. This is the one plant that will impress all of your friends when you want to show off your gardening skills.
Have you ever grown a durian tree? Tell us about it in the comments
