Cultivation of neglected tropical fruits with promise. Part 4, The lanson

Abstract

The lanson, Lansium domesticum Corr., is a delicious fruit of Southeast Asia still practically unknown in the Western Hemisphere. The lanson is usually eaten fresh, for it is easy to peel, not messy, and attractive. The flavor is sweet to subacid. The lanson is propagated primarily from seeds, but some success has also been obtained with cuttings, grafts, and air layers (marcots). The lanson is best planted in fertile loams where problems of drought and flooding are avoided. The seeds need prompt planting, for they rapidly lose germinability. They can be started in seedbeds, transplanted to plastic bags, and planted in the field at about 1 year. Once planted, the lanson needs careful watering, fertilization, and weeding. Cover crops may be used advantageously among the trees, and little pruning is normally required. Diseases and insects have scarcely been observed, but anthracnose is troublesome. Rats may damage ripening fruits. If fruits are harvested when they begin to yellow, they are strong, flexible, and easy to handle. A good tree can produce about 1,000 fruits each year. KEYWORDS: fruit, fruit cultivation, Lansium domesticum, Lansium domesticum cultivation, tropical fruit, tropical fruit cultivation.