Rambutan Farming

Ideal temperature to grow rambutan is 22–35°C

Needs high humidity and consistent rainfall and cannot tolerate drought or strong winds—provide windbreaks if necessary.

Rambutan grows well in deep, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter

Use grafted or air-layered plants for earlier fruiting ie. 3–5 years

Dig pits of 60 × 60 × 60 cm and mix topsoil with 20–25 kg compost/FYM and 500 g neem cake

Prepare pits 2–3 weeks in advance to aerate the soil.

Best planting season is Early monsoon for natural moisture support.

Young rambutan plants (0–2 years) grow best under partial shade.

Use banana, papaya, as temporary intercrops to protect from direct sunlight and strong winds.

Maintain consistent soil moisture; rambutans cannot tolerate drought stress. Avoid waterlogging, which leads to root rot.

Drip irrigation is highly recommended for Uniform moisture, Reduced fungal infections

Apply 8–10 cm thick mulch around the tree using Coconut husks, straw, dry leaves

Conduct light pruning every year after harvest.

Remove Dead, diseased, or crossing branches

Maintain a balanced, open canopy for better sunlight penetration.

Fruit flies cause fruit drop and damage; controlled with pheromone or sticky traps.

Mealybug suck sap from leaves and shoots, weakening trees; managed with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Aphids attack young shoots and flowers; Leaf miners create tunnels in leaves, reducing photosynthesis;

Remove weeds, fallen fruits, and infected plant material to reduce pest breeding.

Prevent waterlogging to reduce fungal infections.

Use organic sprays like Neem oil, chilli–garlic extract, for pest control.

Use pheromone traps and regular scouting to detect early infestations.

Grafted Trees will start bearing in 3–5 years

Rambutan must be harvested only when fully mature on the tree for best sweetness and flavor.

Key maturity indicators are fruit turns bright red, deep red, or yellow depending on the variety

Fruit reaches full roundness and typical variety size after 90–110 days

Use sharp pruning shears or scissors to harvest

Harvest entire clusters than individual fruits to reduce handling damage, increase shelf life

Young trees (5–7 years) will yield 30–50 kg/tree and mature trees (8–12 years) can yield 70–150 kg/tree