Durian
Durio zibethinus
- Days to harvest
- 2920–5475 days
- Sunlight
- 6–10 hours/day
- Watering
- 3–5 per day
- Plant spacing
- 900 cm
- Minimum container size
- 100cm deep × 100cm wide
- Container-friendly
- 1 plants per container
- Estimated yield
- 125 kg / 100m²
- Life span
- perennial
Climate Requirements
- Ideal temperature
- 25-35 °C
- Annual rainfall
- 2000-4000 mm
- Humidity
- 75-90%
- Heat tolerance
- high
- Drought tolerance
- moderate
Soil & Planting
Planting method
Grafted clone (D197 Musang King, D24, Black Thorn); 8x9 m
Soil requirements
Deep loam/clay loam, pH 6.0-7.0; excellent drainage critical
Companion Plants
- Coconutmoderate
Coconut windbreak protects durian flowers; different canopy heights allow light sharing
- Bananastrong
Banana as temporary shade nurse crop for young durian trees; traditional Malay orchard practice
- Pandanmoderate
Pandan understorey provides ground cover and moisture retention under durian canopy
Common Pests & Diseases
Common diseases
Safety Notes
CRITICAL: Do not consume durian with alcohol — potentially dangerous interaction. Observe 21-day PHI for fruit treatments. Falling fruit is hazardous — never stand under fruiting trees. Use nets for harvest safety.
Market Demand
Extremely High — Musang King at RM 50-150/kg; China market insatiable; frozen export; paste; moongate cakes
Regional Notes
Malaysia's 'Green Gold'. China import market valued at USD 4.8 billion (2022). Black Thorn and D197 most valuable. Long ROI but exceptional lifetime returns.
Sources
- MARDI Tropical Fruit Research 2024 — Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute · Last reviewed: 2024-06-01
Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Category: Tropical Fruit