Farmer Anh Dung shared, “Previously, we relied on natural pollination, resulting in a fruit-setting rate of only 30 percent to 60 percent. However, after learning new techniques, we now hand-pollinate, increasing this rate to an impressive 80 percent to 95 percent.”
The tools used for pollination are simple: a long bamboo stick with a soft brush attached at the end is used to collect and transfer pollen.
Farmers dip the brush into pollen until it is fully coated and then apply it directly to flower buds on other trees.
According to Anh Dung, the best time for pollination is on sunny days, and each orchard typically has a few designated trees specifically for pollen collection.
Another farmer, Mai Ngoc, explained that Dien pomelo flowers are hermaphroditic, meaning any blossom can bear fruit. However, four-petal flowers tend to produce smaller fruits than five-petal ones.
“Since pomelo blossoms only last a month, we must hire extra labour to complete pollination on time. If the weather is favourable, a team of one or two people can hand-pollinate nearly 1,000 trees within half a month,” she added.
Dien pomelo has been considered a speciality of Hanoi, and it is well-known for its unique fragrance and sweetness.