Hot and dry weather affecting durian harvest

Sweet delight: Chang showing a high-grade durian at his farm in Balik Pulau. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The supply of durian this year has been affected by the hot weather. Even the branded ones are not spared now.

Bao Sheng Durian Farm owner Chang Teik Seng, 55, said the branded durians were also affected by the prolonged dry weather from January to April.

“If the demand is high, the price will further increase,” he said yesterday.

He added that durian lovers visiting the farm without prior notice could be turned away.

This year, the first durian season started from May to June while the second one is from July 1 to end of August.

“The harvesting took a short break sometime in June,” he said.

Chang said the weather played a vital role in the quality and quan- tity of the fruits as the durian trees need sufficient water to absorb nutrients from the ground.

“With less water, the trees are unable to supply bigger fruits with thicker pulp.

“Even the taste of the durians will be affected.

“That is why the durians are smaller and lighter this year and their pulp is thinner.

“During the dry season, we constantly water the trees but rain- water is still the best,” he said.

Chang, fondly known as ‘Durian Seng’, said it would take between 85 days and 120 days for a durian flower to become a fruit.

“Variants such as 604, Lipan and Xiao Hong take about 90 days, while the Musang King, Hor Lor, Kunpoh, D2 and Kapri take about 100 days.

“Ang Heh (Red Prawn), Lim Fong Jiao, Green Skin 15 and Black Thorn take about 110 days while D15, D18, D11, D88 and Ganjau will take about 120 days,” he added.