Despite regret after growing mango and rambutan trees, Malaysians would still go through it again and again. I have seen enough of overgrown fruits trees which became a nuisance or even posed a danger to owner and neighbours, and which have to be felled at great expense (eg. Rm 2,500 for one durian tree). Just imagine how many durians one can get for that amount! The worst part was the uncertainty of getting a tree which bears any fruit, let alone tasty fruits, never mind the right specie.
Usually, houseowners are tempted by plant nursery information that a particular specie of mango tree can bear fruit at a low height. True, it bears fruit at such low height, but over the years, it would continue growing until its roots threaten to break tiled floors or walls and its height is taller than a 2-storey house. If it becomes a danger to neighbour, then it becomes urgent to cut it down.
We used to avoid falling into this temptation of growing fruit trees in our compound, partly because with fruits, they tend to attract unwelcome people out to get something for nothing. Anyway, for those who are into landscaping, they tend to stay clear of fruit trees, unless the theme is 'kampong'.
One day, I was at my sister's nursery in Sg. Buloh and she had a longan tree bearing fruits which were almost like those on sale. She had bud-grafted one which she offered to me. Well, because it is not the usual mango or rambutan tree, I decided to give it a try. It has been a couple of years and the tree has grown more than 10 ft. tall, but yet to flower.
When we think of the number of years it takes to grow a fruit tree until it bears fruits, it is just not worth the effort. It is so easy to just choose and pay for what we want at the market. Why then do we still get tempted to grow our own? Believe me, the joy of seeing our own tree bearing fruit (even if not tasty as expected) is priceless. I have tried growing lime and pomelo and I have yet to taste any. Just the fruits on them will make me forget about landscaping reason or features.
I have seen a neighbour who grew a couple of durian trees. It took him a few years before he realized he had been cheated in terms of specie. When the fruit's taste was hopeless, it was better to cut them down because it was worse having friends asking and thinking he had been selfish for not offering his durians.
I know of a retired teacher who has a rambutan tree. Each time it bears fruit, he has to harvest it and distribute to his friends. I can sense he is getting tired of it already.
For durian lovers, it is so much easier to go to a durian orchard and choose the best, meanwhile, drool...
Durian haven:
http://youtu.be/3aHfhXJDvkQ
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