I ate a Mangosteen or two today… now I collected a seed or two from this fruit… has anyone germinated these before?

pain master said:

I ate a Mangosteen or two today… now I collected a seed or two from this fruit… has anyone germinated these before?

You have to act quickly.. grade them by weight toss away the light ones and pack the good ones away immediately in moist peat moss or paper until you are ready to plant. The better seeds may last about 5 days outside of the fruit, and 3 to 5 weeks within the fruit. Seeds packed in lightly dampened peat moss, sphagnum moss or coconut fiber in airtight containers, have remained viable for up to 3 months.
about 20% germination can be accomplished in mangosteen seeds packed in ground charcoal for 2 weeks. Soaking in water for 24 hours expedites and enhances the rate of germination. Sprouting will generally occur in 20 to 22 days and is complete in 43.

When growth initially begins, a shoot emerges from one end of the mangosteen seed and a root from the other end. This root is soon replaced by permanent roots which develop at the base of the shoot.

The seedlings are somewhat slow growers and need about 50-75% shade for the first 3-4 years and can then be grown in full sun. They are sensitive to high levels of fertilizer, and should be fertilized with a dilute fertilizer solution or an organic fertilizer.

Because of the long, delicate taproot and poor lateral root development, transplanting is extremely difficult. Trees can be transplanted to the field after 1-2 years, when they are greater than one foot and less than two feet in height. There is greater seedling survival if seeds are planted directly in the nursery row than if first grown in containers and then transplanted to the nursery.

Because of the long, delicate taproot and poor lateral root development, transplanting is extremely difficult. Trees can be transplanted to the field after 1–2 years, when they are greater than one foot and less than two feet in height. There is greater seedling survival if seeds are planted directly in the nursery row than if first grown in containers and then transplanted to the nursery.
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there you go ! i bet you didn’t expect us to give such a comprehensive answer LOL.
(psst – well done RB – i never heard of them).

fantastic roughbarked, thanks… I have been checking sites on line, but your post seems the most comprehensive and valuable. I think we shall give it a shot, once our house is ours, and then again, me thinks it may not be humid enough in Townsville? They do grow well in the Tully and Innisfail region.