DIZON EXOTIC FRUIT TREES

The Philippine Star, Agriculture/Environment, Sunday, October 3, 2004

Growing exotic fruit tree in Luzon

by Roman F. Floresca

Contrary to a long held belief, Davao and other exotic fruit trees can be grown in Luzon and very profitably at that. The keys is technology of cloning and multiple rootstocking.

Past planting of the exotic fruit trees has been disappointing. Durian, mangosteen, pummelo, lanzones and rambutan from Davao and other imported fruit trees were either stunted in growth and did not bear fruits or died for lack of the right technology.

Due to differences in soil and climate conditions, technology from Davao and other countries should be modified to suit local conditions in Luzon.

Bernie Dizon, noted pomologist in Luzon, says culture and technology in Davao and other countries cannot be copied one hundred percent; they have to be modified. Dizon manages a 4,000-square meter orchard at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife along North Ave. in Quezon City under a 20-year contract with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). There he gives free lectures to interested farmers and hobbyists every Saturday and Sunday on the latest technologies. Established in 1992 in a waterlogged area (2,000 square meters) with no forest trees because of adobe soil and thin top soil, Dizon's modified technology (cloning and multiple rootstocking) converted the poor marginal land into a paradise of local and imported exotic varieties of fruit trees.

Because of the project's success then Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Victor O. Ramos expanded Dizon's area by another 2,000 square meters. He also commended Dizon for his excellent work in showcasing the agro-forestry program of the government.

Dizon advises orchard growers and hobbyists to study first the cultural requirements of each variety before deciding which cultivar to plant. A lot could be learned from the free seminars which Dizon conducts every weekend.