Kepel tree | Stelechocarpus burahol

How do you take care of a Kepel tree?

Suitable growing conditions:

• Climate: In temperate climates, it’s essential to keep the Kepel tree indoors or in a controlled environment like a greenhouse to protect it from cold temperatures. Kepel trees thrive in tropical and subtropical conditions.
• Light: Provide bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6–8 hours a day. You may need to use artificial grow lights, especially during the winter months when natural light is limited.
• Temperature: Maintain a warm environment with temperatures between 15 and 29°C during the day and no lower than 5°C at night.

Watering:

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Ensure good drainage by using a well-draining potting mix.
• Water when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
• Use room-temperature water to prevent shocking the tree with cold water.

Fertilization:

• Feed your Kepel tree with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer formulated for tropical plants.
• Apply fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer) every 4-6 weeks, but reduce or suspend feeding in the fall and winter when the tree’s growth slows.

Pruning:

• Pruning is crucial to controlling the tree’s size and shape, especially when growing it in a pot.
• Regularly trim back leggy or overgrown branches to encourage bushier growth.
• Remove any dead or diseased branches promptly to prevent the spread of diseases.
• Pruning can be done in the spring or early summer, when the tree is actively growing.

Humidity:

• Kepel trees thrive in high humidity. To mimic these conditions, consider using a humidity tray, micro greenhouse, or room humidifier to maintain a humidity level of around 60% or higher around the tree.

Pollination:

• Kepel trees are self-pollinating

Kepel tree fruit

Size and Shape:

• The kepel fruit is relatively large and typically resembles a small apple or pear in size and shape. It is round or slightly oval in shape.

Color and texture:

• The fruit’s outer skin is rough and warty, giving it a distinctive appearance. When ripe, the skin can vary in color, ranging from green to yellow. The texture of the skin is not smooth, and it has a somewhat coarse feel.

Pulp:

• Inside the kepel fruit, the pulp is creamy white in color. Kepel fruits are aromatic and have a sweet, fruity, and tropical flavor with papaya, mango, and coconut undertones.

Seeds:

• The fruit contains several seeds, typically arranged in segments within the pulp. These seeds are not typically eaten and are often discarded when processing the fruit.

Harvesting and Processing:

• To determine when the fruit is ripe, the skin can be lightly scratched. If the scratched portion reveals a green hue, the fruit is still immature, but if it is orange, the fruit is ready to be harvested. The seeds are usually removed, and the fruit can also be eaten raw or processed to extract fragrant oils. These oils are used in traditional Indonesian perfumery and as a flavoring or spice in local cuisine, imparting a delightful fragrance to a variety of products.

The kepel fruit, scientifically known as Stelechocarpus burahol, possesses unique characteristics:

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For any inquiries regarding the care of your plant, you can find detailed care instructions here: Plant Care Guide.