🌤️ Climate and Soil Requirements
Climate:
Requires tropical/subtropical climate
Sensitive to frost
Needs warm, humid summers and dry, cool winters
Temperature Range: 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F)
Rainfall: 1000–2000 mm annually
Soil:
Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7)
Deep loamy soil is ideal
Avoid water-logged or saline soils
🌾 Cultivation Practices
Propagation:
Air layering (most common)
Grafting or budding
Less commonly by seed (results may vary)
Planting Time: Best in rainy season (June–July)
Spacing: 8–10 meters between trees
Fertilization: Regular organic manure and balanced NPK fertilizers
Pruning: After harvest to remove dead/diseased branches and to shape the canopy
🍒 Harvesting and Yield
Fruiting Time: 3–5 years after planting (air-layered trees)
Harvest Season (India): May to July
Maturity Indication: Fruit turns red and is slightly soft
Average Yield: 40–100 kg per mature tree annually
🐛 Pests and Diseases
Common Pests:
Fruit borer
Leaf miner
Mite
Diseases:
Anthracnose
Red algae
Root rot
🍽️ Uses and Nutrition
Eaten fresh, in juices, desserts, ice creams, jellies, and canned
Nutritional Value:
Rich in Vitamin C
Contains B-complex vitamins, potassium, antioxidants