Lemon Drop Mangosteen (Garcinia Intermedia)

Description

If you haven’t tasted this, watch out. I remember swimming at Ray Eds in Cedar Falls, Iowa, when I was a kid and they had this little stand where you could get candy. It came in boxes that could be used as a whistle once you finished all the pieces. If you know what I’m talking about you know about Lemonheads. Well…the taste of this fruit will bring you right back.

I first tried these when they were given to me by a kind grower named Kevin and I knew that I had to get more, so I went to the King of Garcinias, the Prince of Plinias, the one and only Adam from Flying Fox Fruits and ordered as many as I could to share with you. These plants were started on 8/2/24

Lemon Drop Mangosteen (Garcinia intermedia), also known as Rheedia or Garcinia in some regions, is a tropical fruit related to the more well-known purple mangosteen.

Description and Benefits
Taste and Nutritional Value: Lemon Drop Mangosteen has a unique tangy taste, mixing tartness with mild sweetness, often compared to a lemony sherbet. It’s a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a healthy and delicious snack.

Climate Suitability: While Lemon Drop Mangosteen thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, New Orleans, with its humid subtropical climate, can offer favorable conditions. Although it’s not as cold-hardy as other fruits, Lemon Drop Mangosteen can withstand temperatures down to about 30°F (-1°C) for short periods. With proper care and protection from cold snaps, it can grow well in New Orleans.

Compact Size: The tree typically grows to a manageable size (10-20 feet), making it a suitable choice for urban gardening or smaller yards. It also responds well to pruning and can be grown in large containers.

High Yield: This tree is a prolific fruit bearer when mature, producing large quantities of fruit with minimal space requirements, which can provide abundant harvests for local consumption or even small-scale markets.

Why Grow It in New Orleans?
Unique, Marketable Fruit: Lemon Drop Mangosteen is not commonly grown or found in grocery stores, making it a great opportunity for local gardeners to introduce something rare and exotic to New Orleans markets and food culture.

Resilient to New Orleans Weather: With proper watering and slight winter protection (like mulching and wrapping young trees during frost periods), this species can thrive. The natural humidity and heat in New Orleans during much of the year mimic its tropical home environment.

Eco-friendly and Low Maintenance: It’s a relatively low-maintenance tree once established, requiring moderate water and well-drained soil. Given New Orleans’ natural rainfall, it won’t demand excessive irrigation.

Aesthetic Appeal: Besides producing delicious fruit, the tree itself is attractive, with glossy green leaves and small yellow fruits that add visual interest to gardens.

Considerations
Cold Protection: To grow Lemon Drop Mangosteen successfully in New Orleans, gardeners will need to be mindful of cold snaps. Growing the tree in a container or using frost covers during the colder months can protect it from potential damage.

Pollination: It’s usually self-pollinating, so only one tree is needed to produce fruit, but having multiple trees can increase yield.

Growing Lemon Drop Mangosteen in New Orleans offers the chance to enjoy an exotic fruit while contributing to local biodiversity and sustainable gardening practices.