If you're into the rare tropicals, Lemon drop mangosteen is a must add to your collection. Very similar to our Achachairu fruit trees but with a hint of sourness. Its growing requirements are not as high as other rare tropical trees so, keeping this tree alive shouldn't be an issue. To increase your chances of being successfull, make sure to read our growing tips below.
 
Lemon Drop Mangosteen Growing Tips:
 
Best time to plant: Anytime the night temperatures are at least 50F and expected to rise. Never plant close to winter.
 
Sun: Full sun to partial shade. (Provide temporary shade in extreme heat 1st year in ground)
 
Winter: Frost sensitive. Our plants have tolerated cold temperatures in the low 20F's (-2,-6c) briefly with frost protection.
 
Growth Structure: Tree like upright growth up to about 15ft in ideal conditions.
 
Flowering/Fruiting: It flowers and fruits year around in tropical climates. In non-tropical climates, expect 1 or 2 crops a year. Flowers take a few months to turn into edible fruit. These plants can take up to 5 years to flower. Some plants have flowers as early as 2 years from seed.
 
Pollination: This plant is dioecious. Since they're grown from seed they can either be female, male or hermaphordite. Based on personal experience, most plants even from seed seem to be hermaphrodite. 
 
Root System: Tap root.
 
Watering: In containers water when dry, follow our 50% rule. Once in ground follow the finger method 1st year in ground and start deep watering 2nd year in ground. Videos available in our youtube channel.
 
Fertilization: In pots, any slow release fertilizer works. In ground, use any organic material such as compost. 
 
Container grown: Eventhough this plant has a tap root, surprisingly it's not as vigorous as other tap rooted trees we have and does ok in a container. Use longer containers rather than wider. Your tree in a container will not perform as well as one planted in ground. 
 
Personal Growing Tips: We have been growing this tree for a few years now. And surprisingly, they are still alive!. We treat these plants the same as any other frost sensitive tree, no special treatment. We've noticed they tend to sun burn in extreme heat (100F+) 38c in containers or if the tree has been recently planted. Once fully established, they don't seem to care about the sun as much. Make sure to frost protect your plant every winter. If your plant suffers frost damage, it can easily take over a year for your plant to recover. If your plant wasn't rooted in ground, it will take an extra year for it to do so. If it was meant to flower, that's an extra year you're going to have to wait for flowers. This is why it's important to understand this plant will require frost protection for the life of the tree.