Flower Induction of Rambutan

1999 Annual Report for FW99-059

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 1999: $2,100.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2001
Region: Western
State: Hawaii
Principal Investigator:

Flower Induction of Rambutan

Summary

This project proposes to test several methods to induce flowering of rambutan, a tropical fruit native to Malaysia, to increase consistency and predictability of the crop. Average annual rainfall of 130 inches per year inhibits the trees from setting fruit on a consistent basis. The methods that will be employed include covering the tree surface roots with plastic tarps to dry out the roots, root pruning no more than one-third of the distance between the drip line and the trunk on two sides of the tree, and chemically inducing flower production with foliar spray.