1. Biological Characteristics
Family: Malvaceae (previously Bombacaceae)
Growth: Tropical evergreen tree, 25–50m tall
Leaves: Alternate, elliptical (10–18cm long)
Flowers: Cauliflorous (grow on trunk/branches), nocturnal pollination by bats
Fruit: Large spiky capsule (1–5kg), strong odor when ripe
Lifespan: 80–150 years (productive 50+ years)
2. Germination Characteristics
Germination rate: 80–95% for fresh seeds
Germination time: 3–8 days (fastest among tropical fruits)
Seed viability: Loses viability rapidly (plant within 1 week)
Special trait: Recalcitrant seeds (cannot be dried/stored long-term)
3. Cultivation Requirements
Climate:
Strictly tropical (20–30°C)
Requires high humidity (>75%)
Absolute minimum: 10°C (frost kills trees)
Soil:
Deep, well-drained (pH 5.0–6.5)
Sensitive to waterlogging
Water: 1500–3000mm annual rainfall (evenly distributed)
Propagation:
Seeds (for rootstock)
Grafting/budding (commercial orchards)
Spacing: 10–16m between trees
Special needs:
Wind protection (shallow roots)
Regular mulch (sensitive root system)
4. Production Timeline
First flowering: Years 5–8 (grafted trees)
Peak production: Years 12–15
Fruit maturity: 90–130 days after flowering
Yield: 50–150 fruits/tree/year (mature trees)
5. Key Challenges
Pollination: Requires specific bat species
Fruit drop: Natural thinning (30–50% drop)
Pests: Fruit borers, seed weevils
Diseases: Phytophthora root rot, powdery mildew
 
Note: Commercial cultivation requires careful variety selection (e.g., 'Musang King', 'Monthong') and precise microclimate management. Seedlings show high genetic variability - vegetative propagation is essential for quality control.
 
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