Anacardiaceae (Spondias)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Spondias (cytherea)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Anacardiaceae

Family Common Name:
Mango

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Spondias

Species:
cytherea

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
Sonn.

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

Common Synonym:

Genus:
Spondias

Species:
dulcis

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
Forst.

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
vi apple, ambarella, otaheite apple, great hog plum; wi (Fiji); vi (Tonga, Samoa, Cooks, Societies, Marquesas, Hawaii); kedondong manis (Indonesia); kedondong (Malaysia); hevi (Philippines); makok-farang (Thailand); juplon (Costa Rica); cajamanga (B

Species Code:

Ecotype:

General Distribution:
Native throughout South and South-East Asia, it has been introduced throughout the tropics. An important plant in some Pacific Island countries, such as Samoa.

Known Invasiveness:
This species is widely introduced throughout other tropical regions of the world where it may be invasive in some areas and invasiveness outside its naturally occurring range is unknown.

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:

Grow Time:
8 Months

Target Specifications:
Seedlings have reached target in one gallon containers when approximately 50 cm in height, stem diameter 10 cm, with well-formed root systems that are not root-bound but that fill out the container.

Propagation Collection:
Vi is commonly propagated by seed or cutting. This protocol covers growing vi seedlings from seed for direct outplanting. Vi trees bear fruit nearly year-round, though a peak season of November - April occurs in Hawaii.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Fully ripe fruits on the tree or newly fallen fruits are collected. Clean flesh from the seed. Seeds are short lived, and should be kept moist and out of the sun, and planted soon after harvest.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
The woody core of the vi fruit usually contains 1 or 2 viable seeds. It is difficult to separate the seeds without damaging them, so planting the whole core is recommended, then thinning weaker seedlings if multiple seedlings come up in a container.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Vi seedlings can be grown in an uncovered growing area; in other words shade is not required, although moderate shade is acceptable.

Establishment Phase:
Vi trees are somewhat dormant (a loose their leaves) for the winter months, so it is recommended that seedlings be started in early spring. One fresh, clean vi seeds is planted in each container. 1 - 2 gallon root-training pots are recommended. "Tall 0nes" (available from Steuwe & Sons) are preferred, as they allow deep rooting and air prune at the bottom, and vi has a strong vertical tap root. Seeds sprout in about 4 weeks. A well-drained media is used such as 50% Sunshine peat moss, 25% perlite, 25% vermiculite, amended with a little compost, dolomite lime, gypsum, and slow-release fertilizer such as osmocote 14-14-14. Potting media should also be inoculated with VAM (mycorrhizal fungi), available from commercial suppliers and garden centers.

Length of Establishment Phase:
2 months

Active Growth Phase:
Seedlings continue to be grown in moderate shade to full sun, protected from wind. Keep seedlings spaced out to allow adequate sun and ventilation. Amending with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. If any weeds enter the soil-free media, they should be removed.

Length of Active Growth Phase:
5 months

Hardening Phase:
If the seedlings are not already growing in full sun, move them into a sunny area, spacing seedlings out further if necessary. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress. Vi develops a strong taproot; timely outplanting is necessary to preclude any problems with root form.

Length of Hardening Phase:
1 month

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:
When the plants have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. Plants must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport, but refrigeration is not recommended. Carefully cutting off the container is less stressful to the root system than pulling the plant out of the container, and highly recommended for mango which will grow best with minimal root disturbance.

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:

References:
Morton, Julia F. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates. Creative Resource Systems, Winterville, N.C.

Thaman, R.R., C.R. Elevitch and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. "Multipurpose Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands. In: Elevitch, C.R. and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI. web: http://www.agroforestry.net

Verheij, E.W.M. and R.E. Coronel, Eds. 1992. Plant Resources of Southeast Asia No. 2: Edible Fruits and Nuts. PROSEA, Bogor, Indonesia.

Citation:
Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Spondias cytherea Sonn. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/05/27). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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