Once you realize you’ve got a problem when it comes to durian, the next step is figuring out how to get an unlimited supply of it. That’s right — you want to plant a durian tree of your own.
You’re asking yourself: What if I could have a durian tree in my yard? I could eat as much as I want of freshly dropped, organic, high quality durian. I would sit under my tree all night and wait. It would be heaven.
That part’s probably true. It would be heaven. Some of you can make it happen. I’m sorry to break it the rest of you hopefuls, but you can’t grow a durian tree in Russia. Or probably even California. Before you start breaking ground or ordering incredibly expensive seeds from scammers on e-bay, here are a few things you might want to consider.
Temperature
Durian trees are native to the equatorial tropics, the 23 degrees north or south of the equator. It is hot there. Really hot. The average temperatures are 24-30 degrees C (75- 86 F) , and it never, ever, even in a freak year, freezes.Durians are very sensitive to the cold. If you have a cold snap and the temperature drops below 7 C or 45 degrees F, the durian will drop its leaves and die. Durian doesn’t even grow in Malaysia’s coldest place, the Cameron Highlands, which had an all time, freak record low of 7.8 C (46 F).
That means that most countries in the world, including Russia, can’t grow durian. I realize that Russia is huge and extends so far south as to be parallel with Italy and Spain, but even in Dagestan, Russia’s southernmost province, winter temperatures average 2.2 C (36 F). Not happening – I’m sorry.
Humidity and Precipitation
Durians don’t only like it hot, they like it humid. The muggy, sticky kind of humid that wakes you up at night with nightmares of drowning. Durians do best in 75-90% humidity in areas that receive 1600-4000 mm (63-157 inches) of rainfall per year.Surprisingly, Los Angeles can be a muggy place. Thanks to the marine layer, L.A. humidity averages around 65%. If I’ve gotten your hopes up, I’m sorry. Los Angeles gets only 16 inches of rain a year, about a quarter of what durian needs. I suppose you could ignore L.A.’s laws about watering and keep the hose going, but it still gets too cold for durian.
In Russia the precipitation is snow.
Space
Durian trees are big, really big, and especially big if you plant one from seed. A fully grown durian tree will grow up to 150 feet tall. You probably wouldn’t want this plantstrocity towering directly over your house, dropping durians down your chimney or bombing the cat. So you need room.
(Side note: In 2012, two durian trees fell on people’s houses, actually killing one of the inhabitants. The durian’s shallow root system makes it extremely susceptible to high winds. You can read about the incidences here, and here, or just a few weeks ago.
Grafted trees are a good deal smaller, topping out at around 40 feet. This is a great option if you live somewhere importing budding material is legal or you’re willing to go through airport security with sticks taped under your clothes.
As far as I know, in most countries it is currently illegal to import living plant material without a permit. Ungerminated or barely germinated seeds are often (but not always) excluded from the living plants category.
If you can’t travel yourself or don’t like the feeling of tape, getting durian seeds shipped to you in the mail is really your only option. So make space for a huge, beautiful jungle tree.
Drainage
Durian trees don’t like to get their feet wet. Well, they do, they just prune up faster than other trees. They don’t tolerate flooding or consistently wet soil and will either drown, develop a series of fungal diseases or become susceptible to worms and other borers.
Durian trees prefer loamy, well-draining soil, preferably on slightly sloping land such as a hillside.That said, they also tolerate the flatlands surprisingly well as long as there are no floods.
Do you have what it takes?
If you’ve got all that durian trees need, great! You can start rubbing your hands together in joy, dreaming of the hundreds of durians falling to the grass like Easter Eggs.
If not, don’t give up hope. I’m convinced that where there’s a will there’s a way. This might mean moving to another country. Or installing a Tropical Greenhouse like my friend in Ohio (see how). Either way, if you want to grow your own durian badly enough, you’ll figure something out.
Got any tips or tricks to growing durian? Please join in the discussion!
abdallah says
i am from Tanzania . i need small plant of durian in my farm. can you give seeds to me ?
veeramani says
i am from india . i wanna plant durian in my farm. can you give seeds to me ?
[email protected] says
Sorry, I don’t sell or ship seeds
Yihao says
Hi, this a great article. I grew my durian from seed to a little plan but no leaf yet. I have two of them like this. And they are stuck in this stage for like 2 months now showing no progress. I live in NYC and am growing them indoor with room temperature between 65F ~ 90F all the time. I water them every 3~7 days. Are they dead or this is just how long it takes to grow in this stage?
ian robertson says
Thanks for all your info. its been a great help. I collected seeds from ‘Mong Thong’ Thai fresh durian sold to me in MELBOURNE Australia. I must have tried more than 50 seeds over that time from delicious quality Durian. Eventually I got one to produce a tree.. I have an indoor water feature in an indoor swimming pool room (very humid) that covers in front of a gas hot water service. My Durian tree is basically semi hydroponic, warmed by gas, kept humid by a indoor heated pool. Many of its roots are meshed into a crate and dangled into a tropical fish pond kept warm by the gas hot water service. Now about 5 year old. I have trained it down but it is starting to fill the room. Summer in Melbourne is fine… Winter is ICe cold. I will have to soon cut a cavity in the area it is in so that it may grown tall outside the confines of the pool room (a semi outdoor area walled by clear glass and plastic walls and windows).
I relly need your imput! Will my Durian give fruit? The seed is taken from commercial fruit exported (it took many tries to get a strike). If I cut a hole in the roof and let the tree grow out into the cold… will it kill the tree? or will the fact that the main trunk and root system living in OK (not great) conditions be enough to let it thrive. Plant is thriving now. Humid room. Lots of water (though only half the roots are drinking) gets down to about 18*C in winter at its coldest but is usually about 24*C with summer heat about 30-35*C The plant outside the room will be exposed to cold of as low as -2*C in winter. Wil it fruit? will the outside boughs die? will the whole plant die?
Ahsan Ahmad says
I dream of planting durian tree for many years and serious to experiment. I got a rubber tree grows 9 feet in my living room and some plant outdoor into 25 feet outside.
I am grateful for sampling and thinking of bringing a small plant from tropical Malaysia etc. Perhaps I plant it indoor for few years before transplant outside and covered in winter.
Steph says
Durian saplings sprouted from seed are growing fine in São Paulo Brazil — 10cm tall with their first tiny leaves.
I’ve read that durian won’t thrive in the relatively cool and dry winter here; we’ll see.
[email protected] says
Awesome!
Boris says
Thanks for the great explaining can you send me seeds please I’m in Africa tansania or even better tell me where i can get grafted trees thanks for your time
[email protected] says
I emailed you
kim says
i live in indonesia (one of the origin habitat of durian), and to be honest even my young grafted durian often dies if i forget to watering it everyday.
for other fellows how could such demanding plant can grow in cold even subtropical countries? unless you are rich and have those tall greenhouse or there are new gene mutation from this species to be adapted on cooler environment.
my grafted durian even reach 4meters now after 6 years (no sign of fruit till now). it would become taller as its get older.
Rick Grossman says
I live in Seattle. Recently I took some seeds from a durian and put them in a plastic bag with a wet paper towel. I didn’t think they would germinate. But I have 8 seeds with two inches of roots and the cotyledon open up.
They won’t grow here. But since I’ve seen people here looking for them, I’d prefer someone else have them. I don’t want anything for them. If you feel like you have a good place to raise them, just send me a small box that is addressed to you and has postage. And as foster parent, I hope you’ll let me know how they are doing.
You may contact me at [email protected]. The first person who sends me a self-addressed, stamped box will get them. It’s under 3 oz and would fit in a box that is 5x5x2 or so.
Marilyn Cassar says
I live in Costal Ecuador. Is guanabana and Durian Fruit the same thing. If not I would really like to acquire some Durian seeds. Can you help me!!!
[email protected] says
Guanabana is a soursop, in the anona family, and not related to durian. There are people growing durian in Ecuador, so maybe you’ll get lucky!
Victor says
Has any one received durian seeds from this person? I know i have what it takes to grow a couple durian trees im in texas zone 9b or 10b different maps tell me different. I already have jackfruit plant growing just a couple of months old and a Soursop as well maybe three months old i have annona and chirimoya as well as mangoes and avocados. I’ll definitely pay for shipping
Robert Pulvirenti says
This is a great site, I live in south east Queensland which has a humid mildly monsoonal sub-tropical climate. I have just under 2 acres of land with a well drained clay loam soil on a gently sloping hill with a protected gully on one side where I have managed to grow and fruit a Marang (Artocarpus odorissimus) I have room for another few trees in this gully. I grow many types of tropical fruit especially different varieties of Jackfruit and Jackfruit x Chempedek crosses as well as Kwai Muk and Lakoocha. Am currently germinating 2 varieties of straight Chempedak for planting out next spring as well as germinating my own Marang seed from this years harvest. I am thinking of trying to grow some of the species Durian from higher altitudes, have D.kutejensis seed ordered but can’t find any others. Would really like to get seeds of D.kinabuluensis, I have read that their fruiting period in the Crocker Ranges is around December /January. Any other species worth trying in your opinion and would you know of any seed sources for other species.
Cheers, Robert
Moses says
Hi, I’m looking for Musang King seeds and am living in South Florida. Anyone has a good online place so to source them?
[email protected] says
Try the Seed Pirates 🙂 http://seedpirates.org/availableseeds
But be aware that Musang King seeds are often not viable, meaning they don’t germinate…
MK says
U cant plant a Musang King durian from the seeds. This durian cultivar or any cultivar will not be true to the tree it produced from. The only way is to get a grafted seedling.
Alan Lee says
I am looking for grafted durians and other fruit trees, air-layered or grafted or stems for grafting. Please write to me if you can assist. I live in a tropical/sub-tropical region, with temperature never falling below 10 degree C and have a humid environment, next to a flowing river. We have a distinct dry season and a wet one as well.
Clara says
Hi Alan, just wondering if have you ever grown from a cutting in soil? I am lucky enough to be in a fully tropical and humid region (Cairns, Australia) and have access to a fruiting tree. I took cuttings and planted them but 5 days in and no signs of growth. I planted some of the fruit seeds and some sprouting though 🙂
Norman says
I am a fellow Durian lover. I’m in South Florida and they are not hard to find them (though expensive) in many Asian markets. I believe they get them frozen and then thaw them out for sale. I may be wrong. In any event, I bought a whole Durian (my wife makes me keep it in the garage refrigerator. This time, however, after I ate a ‘pocket’s worth’ I kept the seed. And put it to the side and over a week, I had 4 seeds to work with. I took a ZipLock bag and put some excellent, moist, organic soil in it and put the seeds in, covering them up fully with dirt and added a bit of water. I left the bag un-zipped to breathe. I proceeded to forget about the bag/seeds until about a month later, off to the side of my patio, where I laid the bag…I noticed beautiful 6-inch leaves coming out of the bag. They had ALL sprouted and developed a nice central root about 4 inches long. Yesterday, I put them in 4 individual 8″ clay pots and put them out by my vertical garden and today, when I took a look, they were all standing nice and tall. I’m hoping to keep graduating the pots and get them a few feet tall, pruning as I go. From there… I’m not sure! I have an acre of land and can plant one or two of the strongest and pray. I’ll keep you posted!
Tropic Backyard says
You can check my YouTube Channel for my update on my Mangosteen and Durian
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQfaRishHZ4PHuu2ouFQYkQ
Gina Neak says
I would like some durian seeds please. I germinated about 5 seeds from a fresh durian and when I tried to split them up, the heads/cotyledons broke off. Only one good one left. I live in Northern California and have a 6 ft green house for small plants.
S says
This is a great post with huge enthusiasm about the King of fruit. Just ate a durian brought from supermarket, since it is rare in the UK, i thought I must “preserve” the seed somehow. Knowing that UK climate is non-conducive for growing a mature durian tree, I wonder if grafting might work? I know very little about agriculture and curious if people graft on totally unrelated trees at all? Say, a cherry blossom with a durian stalk (assuming that I am lucky enough to cause the seed germinate)?
Thanks!
[email protected] says
Hi Shanice,
I’m sorry to tell you that you need to graft a durian tree onto a related species. Grafting onto a cherry blossom won’t work!! 🙁
Eddie says
Anyone growing Durians in Ghana?
[email protected] says
Hi Eddie,
I know of someone growing durian in Uganda, but haven’t heard of any in Ghana yet. Maybe you should be the first!
Alfred Ho says
I wish to buy two grafted mao shang wang durian trees from JB. Is there a way to send them out to Singapore? or which Singapore plant nursery can I buy from? Please advise. Thank you.
Regards,
Alfred
glowsh says
This may be a little late…The AVA allows a person to bring in up to 3 plants from West Malaysia to Singapore w/o certification. Now, this is an exception only valid for West M’sia. However, the plants must not have any potting medium, that simply means w/o soil. Most nurseries around JB will know what to do if you purchase the plants/saplings from them. Basically, they will remove the soil from the roots of the plants and put some cotton around them to keep them moist. As such, you would need to pre-dig a hole at your selected spots in your backyard or garden so that they can be planted as soon as you got home in order to minimize water loss and shock. But really, your biggest problem is getting your hands on the real McCoy. Because, there is really no way of knowing if your grafted plant is a genuine MSW until perhaps 5 or 6 years later when it starts fruiting. By then, you may be left to wonder how to chop down that dud.
[email protected] says
Thanks for this great information! Better buy your grafted stock from a trusted source.
brent says
Does anyone know where I can buy Durian seeds or even young plants or trees in Panama, central america. Thanks
henrik says
Hello from Germany. I, like many others am desperate to to grow durians in my home. Now my question, are there any mountain varieties of
durians that have moderate needs. I mean, are there any more cold tolerant selections ?
Do they all have the same need for heat and moisture/humidity or could you recommend certain varieties that could proof to be easier to
grow?
Thanx in advance.
[email protected] says
Hi Henrik,
There are certain varieties known to better withstand cooler climates, but not so cold as Germany! However, you may like to check out D. Kinabaluensis or Red Prawn in the Search Bar of this site. There are several articles about each.
Good luck, hope you have a green house!
– Lindsay
Geoff says
I started to love durian when I started travelling the Malayia for work about 10 years ago. Now I’m retired so I don’t get there any more. Has anyone successfully grown durian in SW Texas? The Houston/Galveston area. I “seem” to have th climate requirements except it may be a bit too wet. It rarely freezes but it does hit the low 40F range. And……..how do I get either grafted trees or seeds in this area?
Thanks for the help.
[email protected] says
Hi Geoff,
I don’t know of anyone growing durian in Texas, but maybe someone else will chime in here. If not, I can send you seeds and you can be the first to try! Send me an email at durianyearATgmail.com
Scott Kauffman says
Hi Geoff,
Just wanted to let you know that I am having some luck with durian in South Florida. I have 5 trees growing outdoors in pots at the moment and, for the most part, they seem to be faring very well.
The humidity here does result in some bacterial problems, but regular spraying with a fungicide seems to control it. All 5 of my trees have been outdoors in temperatures as low as 55 degrees with no significant damage or leaf loss, so I am beginning to believe that maybe they are a bit hardier than people think.
I wish you the best of luck with your endeavor in Texas. Please post your results – I’m very interested to see how it goes for you!
zamri says
Looks like everybody in growing durian in all parts of the world. There are a lots of places that similar to SEA climates. Hopefully all of you will success and also improve the image of Durian in your community…
Thanks again to Lindsay for all her effort. I’ve been following your blog from the very beginning… 😉
-Johor, Malaysia-
Aidan Teo says
it is a very useful source. it has a lot of information that helped me with my project on durians
[email protected] says
Glad to help Aidan 🙂
robert rak says
I work at yale marsh botanical garden I would like to obtain some seedlings or seeds that are fresh anybody can help me I need one for are research lab
[email protected] says
Hi Robert, send me an email at durianyearATgmail.com
Jesus Velazquez says
I believe I can grow durian in Mexico the weather it’s so humid, hot and rains so much and I have 4 hectares of land, does eny one knows where I can get grafted durian plant from? my email address is [email protected] and my phone # is 415 2335665
Robert Smith says
I just planted some seeds of Durio kutenjensis here in Vieques, Puerto Rico. I hope they can survive our dry season. I will give them lots of attention and post their progress here. Now the wait…
[email protected] says
Wow, that’s really cool!
Tapes says
Greetings everyone I’m curious about how these plants would do grown in limpopo south africa or maun botswana. Does anyone have any information or know anyone e who has tried to grow them in these climates? If anyone does please let me know or if you know anyone growing or selling in southern africa +2778 415 4545 (whats app)
[email protected] says
Hi Tapes,
I know of someone growing durians and other rare artocarpus in Uganda, but I don’t know how similar the climate is there to Botswana or South Africa.
Scott Kauffman says
Hi all,
Just a quick update on my Florida durian patch –
I have 5 plants growing in my sun porch at the moment (2 x Red Prawn, 1 x XO, 1 X Golden Phoenix, and 1 x macanthra). Temperatures have been as low as the mid 50’s (Fahrenheit) here this month and I’m pleasantly surprised to report that it doesn’t seem to have affected the plants at all. I don’t have any heat in my house – which is typical of older Florida homes – so temps indoors have only been a degree or 2 higher than those outside.
I have had a little problem with fungus on my oldest plant (1 year, YAY!), but I’ve sprayed it with sulfur and I’m hoping that will do the trick.
Planning to move all 5 plants outdoors in March or April, depending upon the temperature.
More later 🙂
[email protected] says
Thanks for the update Scott! Glad to hear your little family is well 🙂 It will be interesting to see how the trees fare with the cold once they are old enough to begin flowering. My impression is that durian trees can survive pretty low temps but won’t fruit, so you might need to get creative. Christmas lights, perhaps? 😉
scott kauffman says
LOL!
It will be lots and lots of years before I have to worry about fruiting.
The plants are too small this year, but next winter I intend to leave them outside. I really hate to do it, but I really want to know if there are varieties that will tolerate our low winter temperatures. Pipe dreams, probably – but I’m really tired of eating frozen durian, and I don’t have the money for yearly trips to Malaysia. How do you manage??? I’m super jealous.
[email protected] says
Well, Red Prawn has gotten down to 4 degrees celsius, so I suppose there’s hope! How do I manage? Well, I don’t really make yearly trips. I kind of just stay…and don’t have a house, or a car, or an electricity bill, or car insurance, or any kids, so I can put the money I earn toward traveling and eating durian 🙂
Anonymous says
Nice educative writeup.now trying to get some for planting in Central India. Can you brief how to collect seeds from fruit and the process of planting those seeds. We can buy fruits in India from Thailand.
Anil Agrawal
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Anil,
Thanks for the post idea. I'll try to put something up about this topic soon.
Jimmi Sitepu says
hii, I am from Indonesia, exactly from north Sumatra,. north Sumatra has the unique testy of durian,. do you know more? my WhatsApp +6285207770631
Linda MacGill says
My close friend has a farm in Davao that produce durians and nangka (jackfruit) and other sweet artocarpus family XD He told me that good species for home plant from the seeds is a fast-growing Durian GD69 well known as "Galang Durian 69", it has 40% (instead of 25% of other species) of edible portion. It produces fruits at age two or three years after planting.
http://imgur.com/a/a6C8k
To be honest they no need to grow in full height, at the farm they made pruning on 4-5m and form a treetop. In a compact reasons they use tabulampot (Fruit Crops in Pots) method, and planting durians in a barrels for better control for root-rot from drowning. The soil for tambulampot is chiken manure, ground, clay (not sand) in 1:1:1. Fertilizers used are phosphorus fertilizer in the form of TSP with a dose of 2 tablespoons or 20 grams. Phosphorus optimize root growth. After that, sprinkle furadan to minimize the emergence of pathogens in the soil. For its size is similar to phosphorus fertilizer on top. And brassinosteroid-based "Epin Extra" (or "Epin +") stimulator
http://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/articles/cultivation/epin.htm
to regenerate the semi-dead seeds from transporting and very increase (on a realy hi-level) the germinating chance and quality of the seedlings.
P.S. When seeds are fully mature and ready, they are fairly easy to grow. Durian will split open when fully ripening, and this is the ideal time to harvest the seeds.
The seeds should be washed with clean water when they are harvested from the fruit. You must avoid damaging the "eye" of the seed, as this is where the hypocotyl (and eventually tap root) push out of the seed and we dont want to damage it. Simply rubbing the remaining fruit pulp off the seed as best you can, without tearing strips of seed coat off, is adequate. This is simply to wash away most of the sugars that will greatly increase the chances of fungi spores germinating and attacking the seed.
Soil for germinating – a medium clay type soil (from outside) mixed with coco coir and medium washed sand in a 50:20:30 ratio. You may also add some pumice at about 3-7mm grade. This is to allow faster drying times of soil which helps prevent pathogens, but at the cost of having to water more frequently.
So good luck XD
Anonymous says
Hey 🙂 does anyone know about somebody who grows Durian in the Jungle of Perú? Blessings. Jen
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Hi all. If u need to store durian seed for a long time, clean them with a toothbrush, dry them in the shade just e few hours, and put them in the fridge! I keep them up to 2 months, mine were Kradoom durian. They rooted 2 months after..
Marcelle Clamens says
Hi from Bermuda. Bermuda is sub tropical and zone 11. It would be awesome to plant a dorian here. If that is viable how can I get a hold of seedlings and or seeds please? Hope to hear from you soon as it's now early spring in Bermuds. Bye for now
Scott Kauffman says
I bought a durian seed several months ago from an "ebay scammer." It was incredibly expensive, but I really wanted to try growing a durian. I'm a masochist.
When I received the seed in the mail I was very surprised to find that it had rooted in transit, and I'm happy to report that the plant is now nearly 8 inches in height and leafing out of the enormous seed. It seems to have taken to South Florida very well indeed.
I am told that the variety is Red Prawn but I'm also told that I'll probably have to wait about 20 years to confirm that – which is OK with me – I have plenty of time. I'll keep you posted on the plant's progress as I get the chance.
Scott
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Hi Scott, good for u. If u truly got a red prawn, b23. Than ur lucky! Let me know how things go mate
Scott Kauffman says
Hi Jürgen, I'm happy to report that my little durian is now about 12" tall and is starting to develop its first set of true leaves. This is taking a surprisingly long time considering how quickly the seed sprouted. I still haven't had the courage to take the plant outdoors, so it's still basking in the warmth of my sun room. Oh, I didn't mention it before but I've used 1/2 sand and 1/2 commercial potting mix as the planting material, and am fertilizing weekly with full-strength organic fish/seaweed fertilizer. I'm not an organic grower but I didn't know how durian would react to a synthetic fertilizer – so I'm just being cautious. Anyway, the little tree still seems very happy. I'll keep you posted regarding further developments.
Scott Kauffman says
Just a quick update to let you all know that the little durian is doing very well. I have taken it outside and it really seems to be enjoying the heat and humidity. I have since received a 2nd seed from the same supplier (also rooted en route) and it's growing like mad. I've used standard commercial potting mix this time and it doesn't seem to have made any difference at all.
More later.
Lindsay Gasik says
Thanks for the update Scott!
Scott Kauffman says
Well, we are headed into the "cool" months here in Miami and I am starting to think about how I am going to maintain an acceptable temperature for my little guys. Like most older houses here, mine isn't heated – – so, I'd appreciate any suggestions you all might have 🙂
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Thanks for the Scott:) I will remember the fertilizer trick.. I think it's ok to simply put seaweed collected at the beach, around the trunk?
Scott Kauffman says
Hi Juergen,
I’m definitely no expert, but I’d be concerned about salt. I’m not sure how well durians tolerate it. My suggestion is an organic plant or fish based fertilizer.
[email protected] says
Hi Scott and Juergen,
My impression is that durians are not fans of salt; but a very common fertilizer in Thailand is a fermented fish and molasses blend.
Janice Hassel says
I will plant this "rarely grown tree" for sure.Thank you .I think i may get its seeds from a wholesale tree nursery or something.We can find many other varieties in this as there are Many Wholesale Nurseries and suppliers In Florida.
Miles Auwe says
Hi, I'm in Hawaii and I have import permits as well as a fairly decent relationship with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. I'd love to find a reputable vendor of grafted and/or air-layered durian trees, but so far I've had no luck. I'd prefer to buy some locally, but at $30-$60 a tree it's just not cost effective. Can anybody offer any tips? I'd be willing to try seed as well, but I'm not sure if durian are true to seed and would hate to invest seven years for naught. Any help would be appreciated.
Miles Auwe says
I forgot to mention, per HDOA trees must be 18 inches or less. I also have a FedEx Account and, if the weight and shipping date is known, I can send a pdf shipping label via email to the vendor. miles.across.the.ocean at gmail.com Thanks
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Miles,
I am not much of an expert in importing whole trees but recently I have been getting a lot of requests for this kind of information so it is something I will definitely be looking into.
Thanks for commenting and reminding me!
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Miles.. For god sake, 30 to 60$ not cost effective? Some good durians cost more each! Don't think importing will make it cheaper. I imported them bare rooted before.. A hassle, the durian tree doesn't like that! True, in Asia u can buy a grafted tree for as cheap as 5$.. But, what a hassle and lost time
Ra Long says
I live in oahu. I bought a fruit in Chinatown, took one of the seed after eating and planted it. It's a foot tall right now. How long will it take to bare fruit planting from seed? Is there a nursery in hawaii that have grafted fruit?
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Hi ra long, depending ur climate.. Durian trees from seed can take 10 years more to start fruiting
Joseph Isaza says
Hello Everybody,
My name is Joseph from Panama Republic, does anyone know if Durian will grow on this tropical climate of Central America?
Thank you for your help.
Joseph…
+50766437000 ((whatsApp)
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Joseph,
Durian definitely grows in Costa Rica and Panama, in fact I know of a few growers already.
Tak Tak says
Hi,
I am from Panama. I can get very good seedlings from Malaysia n Wiling to invest to grow this wonderful fruit.
It is abt 2 to 7 feets. How to bring into Panama?
Janie Lum says
hi someone mentioned durian in Costa Rica I have a friend who wants to plant there please let me know where to possibly get trees or seeds thank you my friend is staying in Puriscal Costa Rica
Joseph Isaza says
Hello Lindsay,
Can you provide me the list of Musang King Durian growers in Costa Rica?
Thank you
Joseph…
Tel: +507 66437000 (whatsapp)
[email protected]
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Joseph,
I don't know of anyone growing Musang King or any other cloned varietals in Costa Rica. As far as I know they are all seedlings. Maybe you will be the first?
Peter Kring says
Hi, There are two nurseries in costa Rica that graft durian. We have mongthong, chanee, What we think is D-24, as well as other Asian and local selections. I can be contacted at [email protected]
Peter
Samuel Constancy says
Hi Jürgen,
where are you in staying in Madagascar? here Reunion Durian can be fruited at low elevation. Not a heavy cropper but some fruit still. Should be fruiting for sure in quite a few places in Mada…best places would probably be on the eastern coast from Tamatave up to Sambava.
Lindsay Gasik says
Thanks for the additional information Samuel 🙂 This is a great inside scoop to the durian situation in Reunion. Madagascar is on my bucket list, maybe I'll make it to your part of the world someday 🙂
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Hi Samuel, I before lived in Ambanja, where I can confirm durian trees can grow. Same climate as the east coast, now I'm starting to grow them in nosy be and Diego, where I live. Diego will be a challenge, wet rainy season, but very dry dry season.. Ur right, they surely grow like mushrooms between all along the east coast. But I'm not living there.. I need to try here. I have grafted trees and seedlings. If u come to Diego, let me know!
michel says
Move to Cairns Australia and you will have no problem.You can eat local durian until yours mature
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Hi Michel, if I would move for durian, i'ld move to Malaysia;) interesting to know it works out ur place, thanks
Daniel says
Hi Michael,
Is it possible to send some seeds down Victoria way? I was thinking of experimenting and doing Bonsai style in a hot house
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
I had a grafted durian tree here in madagascar, where I live. It grew well, 2 years, until I moved, and dug it out.. After replanting it.. It died. I have a few more grafted trees arriving soon.. And now a friend in chiang Mai tells me that although durian grow In some tropical countries.. They probably won't bare fruits…. Is that a fact…?
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Jurgen,
Nice to know there is durian growing in Madagascar! Yes, it is true that durians can grow in some areas but not fruit. The trees can survive regions that are slightly too cold or too dry, but either won't fruit reliably or won't fruit at all. In Florida, it is just slightly too cold for them. I'm not familiar with the climate in Madagascar, so tough to say whether or not you'll have much luck. Still, it's awesome of you to try! Do let us know how it goes 🙂
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Hi Lindsay, sorry for the late reply, meanwhile I just got myself some grafted durian trees, monthong and Kaan Yao. They are doing great! Furthermore I took over 40 durian Kradoom seeds, they almost all germinated! Madagascar has good climate for durian in some areas.. So, I'm handing out trees to friends.. Some I'm sure will make it to bear fruits:)
Lindsay Gasik says
Madagascar has long been on my bucket list. I loved a children's show called Zoboomafoo, which I was a little too old for when it was on, but I had younger siblings so that's my excuse. I particularly like Aye-Ayes. They don't happen to eat durian, do they? Or is it too soon to know?
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Up to now There is not one fruiting Durian in Madagascar. I have a few grafted and seedling durian. They will only fruit in at least 4 years from now…. Durian is unknown on this island.. If u still think of coming here, let me know
Anonymous says
Hai Jurgen.. I'm Petrus from Sarawak, Malaysia. i have planted few hundred of durians..some most of them are grafted and some of them i planted it from seed. most of it bare fruit several times already. for your info, based on my experience..durian need some drought season to be flowering and bare fruit..its need at least 2 months of dry season to trigger the tree for flowering. i hope u can come to my place here to enjoy wide variety of durian. please email me the pictures of your durian trees, im interested to see it, this is my email [email protected] . looking forward for your email. thanks
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Hi petrus, in the meanwhile I have maybe 5 grafted durian trees, and a 50 from seed.. I'm in Italy at the airport, flying back to Madagascar in a few hours.. I'm happy to make u a few pics
Lindsay Gasik says
50 seedlings, wow! That's a good start for the future of durian in Madagascar 🙂
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Yes Lindsay, let me know if u want to visit madagascar one day:) I'll show u some
Lindsay Gasik says
Oh boy yes! When is the fruiting season in Madagascar? 🙂
Joshua Snyder says
frankies nursery in oahu also sells grafted durians… and can ship to mainland… but its tricky… they have to be barerooted, so very vulnerable
Bret says
No, Frankie's Nursery is no longer grafting durians.
Stan says
Hi do you sale grafted durian trees
Peter says
Yes, I do sell grafted durian trees. Unfortunately, I just sold the last ones in stock 2 weeks ago. We don’t have any suitable seedlings at the moment.
The production trees are flowering now for a September harvest. We will be sharing fresh durian but keeping the seeds!
We graft about 5 Asian varieties including monthong and chanee as well as some local selections made from a large distribution of seedlings that were planted in the 80’s here.
By the end of the year we should be stocked up again.
Peter
[email protected] says
Peter what are the names of the local varieties?
Peter says
Hi
The local varieties are ones that we have selected ourselves. One is a small, sweet durian that is an early producer that we call “Isla”. It was just released this year and is being planted on the S. Pacific coast of CR as well. They have a different climate to us here on the caribbean coast. Our climate is more like Malaysia with two wet and two dry periods, thus two harvests potentially.
The other selection we are calling “Monica” and we hope to have this grafted and ready by the end of the year. It is a larger, pulpy durian that reminds me of what we call D-24 here. On the subject of the D-24 I want to post some photos when we have it again and make sure that is is actually D-24. It is something good and was brought here by Bill Whitman but that was long ago and I never heard directly from him.
Since I sell the grafted tree I don’t want there to be any doubt. Those babies are flowering right now!
Peter says
Hi
Here’s my web page:
http://www.costaricaorganicsfarm.com
Bret says
In Hawaii you can buy grafted durian trees from David Frenz.
BIRDS & BUDS UNLIMITED
Contact: DAVID FRENZ/PATTY MORIYASU
Nursery Address: 1115 W. Kawailani St., Hilo, HI 96720
Phone/Fax: (808) 959-5750/(808) 959-5750
Alan Lee says
I would like to buy some grafted durians and other fruit trees, please send me the email contact details. Many thanks. alan lee [email protected]
fruitarianvagabond says
hi L,
i have succesfully send durian seeds to Zack in Hawaii from Penang, But thailand and cambodia didnt work after several tries…….Philippines worked 30% of the time.
I think Thai customs confiscates them, what are your thoughts.?
what contact do you have for sendings seeds now from anywhere?
Tak Tak says
testing
Jürgen Nero Spannring says
Hi, I don't think Thai custom confiscated the seeds. Officially u can take them. Furthermore, I don't think they check all small post boxes..
Lindsay Gasik says
I can confirm that Jurgen. I've sent seeds to Hawaii properly marked that still weren't checked!
fruitarianvagabond says
i tried sending seeds to Zack in hawaii about 10 times now…..the only package that makes it is from Penang. (remmber cambodia in Kep, that didnt make it….maybe too many stamps, ehehe)…
whats your secret to sending seeds from thailand.
David Finkelstein says
Great post, as usual. This is from Fruit of Warm Climates by Julia Morton:
Durian seeds lose viability quickly, especially if exposed even briefly to sunlight. Even in cool storage they can be kept only 7 days. Viability can be maintained for as long as 32 days if the seeds are surface-sterilized and placed in air-tight containers and held at 68º F (20º C).
They have been successfully shipped to tropical America packed in a barely moist mixture of coconut husk fiber and charcoal. Ideally, they should be planted fresh, flat-side down, and they will then germinate in 3 to 8 days. Seeds washed, dried for 1 or 2 days and planted have shown 77-80% germination. It is reported that, in some countries, seedling durian trees have borne fruit at 5 years of age. In India, generally, they come into bearing 9 to 12 years after planting, but in South India they will not produce fruit until they are 13 to 21 years old. In Malaya, seedlings will bloom in 7 years; grafted trees in 4 years or earlier.
Roger says
I enjoyed reading your post. My landlord asked me to plant a Nonthaburi Durian tree in the vacant lot she owns next door. Have you heard of this variety and is anything special required? We live in Nonthaburi (just north of Bangkok) and I had earlier converted her lot to a community garden, so I’m hoping the circumstances are right for success. How long will it take for a small tree to bear fruit?
[email protected] says
Hi Roger,
A “Nonthaburi” durian simply means one that grows in Nonthaburi province, as this region is believed to grow very good quality durians due to the environment. The variety your landlord may be after is “Ganyao” which is a very good durian, and the the “Nonthaburi Ganyao” is currently the most expensive durian in the world (see my post, https://www.yearofthedurian.com/2014/07/the-most-expensive-durian-in-world-8.html). A tree takes around 5 years to produce fruit.
Joseph says
Hello There,
Do you have seeds of this variety available (Nonthaburi Ganyao) ???
[email protected] says
No, I don’t!
Leah says
I would like to try growing some seeds! I live in South Florida and I have a green house where I can hopefully raise the tree and try the bonsai idea..I have bought the seeds in eBay and they never sprouted ? Please help me find viable seeds.. I am successfully growing mangoes, longhans, dragon fruit, numerous hot peppers and more but I have always wanted a durian!
[email protected] says
Leah — send me an email at durianyearATgmail.com. Do you have a USDA permit to import small lots of seeds?
Hans Heynekamp says
I put some seeds from a frozen durian in a plastic container with wet paper towels a couple of months ago. Just today I noticed that about 5 of them had sprouted. Now I got to plant them. Guess I have to take them to bed to keep them warm (and humid). I live in New Mexico.
[email protected] says
No kidding? How frozen was the durian? I’ve never heard of this — always assumed that the seeds of frozen durian would be unviable!