Pulasan (Bud) Fruit Plant

Pulasan (Nephelium mutabile) is a rare and highly prized tropical fruit closely related to Rambutan. Native to Southeast Asia, Pulasan is valued for its exceptionally sweet, juicy flesh, making it sweeter than both Rambutan and Lychee. Besides producing delicious fruits, the Pulasan tree is also an attractive ornamental tree suitable for home gardens and tropical orchards.

The tree grows to a height of 10–15 meters with a sturdy trunk and dense canopy. Its attractive dark red fruits are oval-shaped and covered with short, thick, blunt spines, giving them a unique appearance.

Unlike Rambutan, Pulasan fruits have short fleshy spines instead of long hairy ones. The white to yellowish-white flesh is thick, juicy, aromatic, and separates easily from the seed. The edible seed has a mild almond-like flavour, making Pulasan a truly unique tropical fruit.

Key Features

• Rare premium tropical fruit

• Sweeter than Rambutan and Lychee

• Thick, juicy white flesh

• Flesh separates easily from the seed

• Attractive dark red fruits with short fleshy spines

• Edible seed with a mild almond-like flavour

• Excellent ornamental and fruit-bearing tree

Growing Conditions

Pulasan grows best in warm, humid tropical climates with fertile, well-drained soil. The tree prefers consistently moist soil but is highly sensitive to waterlogging.

The plant thrives under full sunlight, although it can tolerate up to 50% partial shade. Rich organic soil encourages vigorous growth and improved fruit quality.

Planting Instructions

• Choose a sunny planting location with fertile, well-drained soil.

• Maintain a minimum spacing of 7 meters from other trees in home gardens.

• For commercial cultivation, a spacing of 10 meters between plants is recommended.

• Water newly planted trees every 2 days during dry weather for the first month, then every 7–10 days during the first year.

• Avoid waterlogging, as standing water can damage the root system.

• Do not apply chemical fertilizers immediately after planting. If necessary, apply a small quantity (below 100 g) only after 2–3 months, followed by proper irrigation.

Fertilizer Schedule

For healthy growth and optimum fruit production:

• Nursery seedlings: Apply 20:2:20 NPK + micronutrients at 1 g/litre of water once every week.

• Polybag seedlings: Apply 10 g of 20:2:20 NPK + micronutrients once every 2 months.

• Field planting (1–4 years): Apply 100–250 g per tree of 6:6:6 or 8:8:8 NPK with micronutrients, three times a year.

• From the 5th year onwards: Apply Nitrogen and Potassium fertilizers twice a year, depending on soil fertility.

Watering & Maintenance

Young Pulasan trees require regular watering until they become well established. Mature trees should receive deep irrigation every 1–2 weeks during dry periods.

Apply mulch around the base of the tree to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the area within 1.5 meters around the tree free from weeds to promote healthy growth.

Regular maintenance includes removing dead, diseased, damaged branches and unwanted suckers. Only minimal pruning is required to maintain the tree's natural shape.

Pest & Disease Management

Pulasan trees are generally easy to maintain when provided with proper care. Regular watering, fertilizing, pruning, weeding, and orchard sanitation help minimize pest and disease problems.

Choosing healthy planting material and maintaining good orchard hygiene greatly improves tree health and productivity.

Harvesting & Yield

Pulasan trees generally begin bearing fruits from the 4th year onwards.

Fruits typically require about 5 months to mature after fruit set. In Southeast Asia, the main harvesting season is from July to September, with a second season between December and February.

A healthy mature Pulasan tree can produce up to 150 kg of fruits annually under proper management. However, like many tropical fruit trees, Pulasan may exhibit alternate bearing, resulting in yield variations between years.