Maintenance Landscaping Design

Malay apple is a tropical fruit that is native to Southeast Asia. The fruit is also known as Otaheite apple, mountain apple, or pomme cythère. Malay apple is a round or oblong fruit with a smooth, waxy skin. The skin can be green, yellow, or red, and the flesh is white or pink. The fruit has a sweet, juicy flavor and is often used in desserts.

Popular name

• harum manis
  
• jambu air
  
• jambu batu
  
• jambu kristal
  
• jambu bol
  

Things to Know

• Malay apple is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia.
  
• It is also known as Otaheite apple, mountain apple, or rose apple.
  
• The fruit is round or oval in shape, and has a red, yellow, or green skin.
  
• The flesh of the fruit is white or pink, and is either sweet or sour.
  
• Malay apples are rich in vitamins and minerals, and are a good source of dietary fiber.
  
• The fruit has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and is believed to have numerous health benefits.
  
• Malay apples are relatively easy to grow, and can be cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates.
  
• The fruit is often used in culinary dishes, and can be eaten fresh, cooked, or made into jams and jellies.
  
• Malay apples are believed to have originated in the island of Java, in Indonesia.
  
• The scientific name for malay apple is Syzygium malaccense.

How to Grow

1. For malay apple, first step is to select a good quality of seeds.
   
2. Second step is to soak the seeds in water for at least 12 hours.
   
3. Third step is to plant the seeds in the soil.
   
4. Forth step is to add some organic matter to the soil.
   
5. Fifth step is to water the seeds regularly.
   
6. Sixth step is to provide some support to the seedlings.
   
7. Seventh step is to thin out the seedlings.
   
8. Eighth step is to transplant the seedlings.
   
9. Ninth step is to water the seedlings regularly.
   
10. Last step is to fertilize the seedlings.

Related plant:
Himalayan Honeysuckle

The Soil

About soil condition, the malay apple tree grows best on deep, well-drained, sandy loams with a high organic matter content. The tree is moderately tolerant of drought and salinity. It does not tolerate waterlogged conditions.

Light requirement

So, like the other fruit trees, malay apple trees need full sun to produce the sweetest, most flavorful fruit. If your tree is grown in too much shade, it will produce smaller, less tasty fruit. So if you want to get the most out of your malay apple tree, make sure it gets plenty of sun.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is most suitable for the growth of the Malay apple is between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. The tree does not tolerate cold well and may succumb to frost damage if the temperature dips below 14 degrees Celsius. Hot and dry conditions are also detrimental to the tree, causing the leaves to drop and the fruit to shrivel.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60-70%. They cannot tolerate dry air for a long time and may start to lose leaves if the humidity drops below 50%. If the leaves turn brown and drop, it is a sign that the air is too dry. Grouping several plants together will help increase the humidity around the plants.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, this type of plant needs a lot of organic matter to be added to the soil before planting. After the plant is established, a side dressing of compost should be applied every few months. A deeply buried organic Mulch will also help to keep the roots cool and moist during the hot summer months.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important step in malay apple cultivation. It helps to encourage new growth and keep the plant healthy. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or damaged branches. You can also trim back any branches that are growing too close to the main trunk.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of the malay apple is typically done through seedlings, which can be grown from seed collected from the fruits. The seeds should be sown in well-drained, loose soil and kept moist until they germinate. Once the seedlings have reached a few inches in height, they can be transplanted into larger pots or into the ground.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate studies focus on the effects of planting density, fertilizer, irrigation and other cultural factors. However, one study in Hawaii found that when trees were grown in full sun, they produced more fruit than those grown in partial shade.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are pests and diseases. Pests such as caterpillars, whiteflies and aphids can attack the leaves and fruits of the plant, causing damage. Diseases such as powdery mildew and anthracnose can also affect the plant, causing leaves to turn yellow or brown and fruits to rot.

Tips on Growing

• Remember to water your malay apple tree regularly, especially during hot weather.
  
• Apply fertilizer to the tree every few months to encourage growth.
  
• When the tree starts bearing fruit, thin out the crop so that the remaining fruits will be larger.
  
• Protect the fruits from birds and other animals by covering the tree with netting.
  
• Harvest the fruits when they are ripe and enjoy them fresh or use them in cooking.
  
• If you want to keep the fruits for longer, you can store them in a cool, dry place.
  
• To prevent the tree from getting too big, trim it back every few years.
  
• If you live in an area with cold winters, you may need to cover the tree with a tarp or blanket to protect it from the cold.
  
• You can propagate new malay apple trees from seed, cuttings, or grafting.
  

Alternative Plants

• Soursop (Annona muricata)
  
• Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa)
  
• Sweetsop (Annona squamosa)
  
• Custard Apple (Annona reticulata)
  
• African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum)
  
• Caimito (Pouteria caimito)
  
• Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota)
  
• White Sapote (Casimiroa edulis)
  
• Star Apple (Chrysophyllum cainito)
  
• Ilama (Annona diversifolia)

Source:
Apple Language Centre in Malaysia. Study in Our Language …
Vegetative Propagation of Five Local Cultivars of Malay Apple …
Mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum – Wisconsin Horticulture