How to Propagate Snake Fruit (Salak) by Seed? Latest Method Explained in Detail
There is a fruit with a very peculiar appearance. Its peel looks very much like snake skin, its flesh is delicious, and its taste is sweet and refreshing. Its name is snake fruit (salak). Snake fruit, also known as salak, is originally a woody flowering plant. Its fruit can be eaten and can also be processed into candied fruit or brewed into wine. So do you know how it is grown? Let's take a look below.
1. Growing Conditions
Snake fruit likes to grow in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment. It is most suitable for planting in woodland at an altitude of 400-600 m. It requires an annual average temperature of 22 degrees and a relative humidity of more than 80%. Only in this kind of environment can it grow normally. When planting under forest, there are no restrictions on the composition of tree species; either coniferous forest or broad-leaved forest is fine, and 20-30% light transmittance is required.
2. Propagation by Seed
The seed propagation method for snake fruit cannot determine the sex of the seedlings, so generally only bisexual varieties are propagated by seed. After picking fresh fruit, peel off the skin, remove the flesh, wash it, and keep the seeds, then store them with moist sand at low temperature. Before sowing, they must undergo germination-promoting treatment to increase the seed germination rate. Spread the seeds flat in a container filled with coarse sand, then cover them with sand and rice husks and other materials to a thickness of 2-3 cm, and maintain temperature and humidity. When the seedlings grow 2-3 leaves, they can be transplanted.
3. Transplanting
When transplanting, the planting site should be cleared and planting holes dug. Generally, the length, width, and height of the holes are 50×50×50 cm. The spacing between plants and rows should be reasonably controlled, generally 1.5×1.5 m or 2×2 m, and it can also be increased or reduced according to actual conditions. When transplanting, an appropriate amount of fertilizer can also be applied in the hole, then put the seedling into the hole. The root system should be spread flat in the hole, held upright, and covered with soil to prevent the seedling from falling over, then press the soil firm and water it.
4. Field Management
Under high temperature and high humidity, the plants basically do not need to worry about temperature and water issues, so there is no need for excessive watering, nor do you need to worry about low-temperature freeze damage. If the planting site does not meet these conditions, then water and temperature management should be done well. Generally, fertilizer is applied 2 times per year, each time with 1-2 kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer, applied in the dry season and the rainy season. In addition, when planting, the number of leaves on the plant should be controlled, generally 7-8 leaves or 14-16 leaves per plant. Dead leaves should be cut off in time. The cut leaves can be laid around the root system to reduce water loss and also increase nutrients. When planting, if it is not a bisexual variety, pay attention to the ratio of female to male plants so as not to affect fruiting. Generally, every 20 female plants should be paired with one male plant, so that they can pollinate normally.
The above snake fruit seed propagation methods are hoped to help you. If you want to learn more about fruit-growing knowledge, please stay tuned to us.