National Durian Vol. 13

Physical appearance plays a very important role in how the society perceives us. This is no different for trees. As much as how people are judged based on their overall facial appearance, the same applies to tree barks. The bark is also an extremely vital part in durian trees. In addition to protecting the core of the trunk, the phloem in the bark plays an important role in transmitting water and nutrients to the whole tree. Therefore, if the bark is damaged, it will definitely affect the growth of the overall durian tree. However, TC Wong, who has durian farms in Karak, Pahang, has a different view in regards to tree barks. He scrapes his tree barks twice a year to prevent diseases. By scraping off the tree bark, he…

TC Wong shared that farmers must actively supply durian trees with calcium and boron in rainy days during the flowering and fruiting period. “Calcium and boron is the key to enhancing the fruiting rate of durians,” he emphasized. Usually, he top dresses his trees every 10-14 days during the rainy season with focus on trace elements such as calcium and boron as well as a large amount of potassium. It can be applied in granular or foliar form to further allow the durian trees to fully absorb them. Calcium is known to be difficult to be absorbed by durian trees. Usually, only the tip of the roots has the ability to absorb calcium while other parts of the root can hardly do so. In the case of calcium deficiency, the…

Before planting a durian tree, it is necessary to understand its growth habits. However, many farmers are not familiar with the functions and care of the parts of the durian tree-roots, stems and leaves. According to Choon Thin Yat, when durian seeds are planted in the soil, roots would begin to grow rapidly. Once this process begins, the roots would carry out its function at its fullest by absorbing water. As a result, stems and leaves would begin to sprout. Over a matter of time, the leaves would flourish. In fact, the leaves can be considered as the main respiratory and nutrient absorption system of the entire durian tree as they benefit the most from the transpiration process. They can drain water from the trees and absorb nutrients from the…

Farmers here in Malaysia must however, be careful and aware that this is Thailand’s data analysis which differs from Malaysia’s geographical and climatic environment. RELY ON THE CLIMATE TO BLOOM The durian leaf cycle is approximately 45 to 60 days. During its normal growth, two leaf cycles are expected up to 60 days each which brings it to a total of 120 days. Typically, Malaysian farmers must rely on the climate, particularly the dry season to a large extent for the durian flowers to bloom. The durian trees are forced to bloom during the dry season when they spread their leaves and extend their branches. According to Choon Thin Yat there are a couple of steps to prepare for the flowering season whereby the amount of nutrients is doubled. It…

Ong Kwee Poh is one of them. What is interesting about Ong Kwee Poh is that he plants two durian seedlings together at the same time about 1 foot. When they grow to a few feet high and the branches are still soft, he would gently twist and intertwine them. “You will just have to cut off part of the bark from the two trees, connect the cut and then tie them tightly with cellophane tape,” he explained. This would allow the 2-in-1 seedling to continue to grow. Next, Ong Kwee Poh would dig holes around the 2-in-1 seedlings and plant durian seeds about 1 foot apart. Once these durian seedlings grow to a desired height, the barks are removed in the same way and then tied tightly to the…

POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM The poor drainage system in Ong Kwee Poh’s orchard has led to water stagnation and resulted in serious canker problem. “The Musang King are mostly affected by canker.” he pointed out. To prevent this, Ong Kwee Poh make sure there is no stagnanted water in his orchard. First, he removed dead durian trees, added soil to raise the soil level and replanted new trees. He also dug trenches to drain off water. Ong Kwee Poh believes that stagnant water also breeds harmful bacteria and affect the overall health of his trees. These harmful bacteria are usually anaerobic organism. Therefore, if stagnant water can be drained off, the harmful bacteria can be reduced. Good bacteria are usually aerobic. When oxygen is enhanced, the breeding of good bacteria can…