How to Grow Pulasan

The pulasan, botanically known as Nephelium mutabile, is a tropical tree indigenous to Malaysia. Like its close relative the lychee tree, pulasan produces sweet, succulent and nutritious fruits. Although southern Florida and some parts of Hawaii feature humid, low-lying tropical terrain that seems tailor-made for pulasan, the tree is presently uncommon in both states. However, University of Florida IFAS Extension notes that Nephelium longan, a close relative of the pulasan, currently flourishes in southern Florida. If you would like to try growing this little-known tree, experts recommend air-layering propagation -- commonly used with lychee trees -- in favor of growing from seed. Following proper air-layering and transplanting techniques can increase the odds that your pulasan tree will thrive.

Sharp, clean knife
Handful of damp sphagnum moss
Small piece of plastic wrap or sheeting
Potting container
Quick-draining potting soil
Perforated clear plastic bag
Balanced liquid fertilizer
4 ounces triple super phosphate
4 ounces fertilizer in a 1-1-1 NPK formulation

Instructions

- 1
  Choose an upright shoot of the pulasan tree that is about 3/4 inch in diameter, and scrape away a 1 1/2-inch-wide ring of bark, making sure the white cambium layer is exposed. You should do this several inches above where the shoot joins the tree.
- 2
  Press a handful of damp sphagnum moss around the cut area, and cover securely with a piece of plastic sheeting.
- 3
  Observe the branch closely, and cut it from the tree just below the root ball once visible and abundant roots appear. According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, this should occur in two to three months.
- 4
  Remove about 3/4 of the leaves from the air-layered branch, partially unwrap the plastic, and place the root ball in water for 10 to 15 minutes before completely unwrapping it.
- 5
  Carefully plant the newly rooted, air-layered section in a pot of rich, quick-draining potting soil, being careful of the brittle roots. According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, you should avoid burying the rooted part of the plant more than 1 to 2 inches below the level of the soil in the container. Enclose the stem and leaves in a perforated, clear plastic bag and place it in a location with 50 to 70 percent shade.
- 6
  Water to keep soil moist, but not sopping.
- 7
  Fertilize with 1/2 teaspoon of a balanced fertilizer in six weeks.
- 8
  Choose a permanent planting site three to six months later for the air-layered pulasan. The site should be well-protected from the wind and have rich, well-drained acidic soil. A pH between 5.0 and 6.5 is ideal.
- 9
  Dig a hole slightly larger around than the rootball and place 4 ounces of triple super phosphate and 4 ounces of a complete fertilizer in a 1-1-1 NPK formulation into the hole.
- 10
  Firm the soil gently in place over and around the rootball. Water deeply, and continue to water every two to three days thereafter until the pulasan is established.
- 11
  Fertilize the transplanted pulasan after the first growth, spreading the fertilizer evenly around the tree about 1 foot from the trunk. Repeat every two to four months, until the tree is three years old. After that, fertilize yearly. The pulasan should bear fruit at five years old.

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