Suha (Citrus maxima)

About Suha (Pomelo)

Suha (Citrus maxima), known internationally as pomelo, is the largest citrus fruit in the world — and in the Philippines, it holds a special place as a Noche Buena centerpiece, a Davao export pride, and a roadside snack peeled and sold in plastic bags by ambulant vendors from Manila to Mindanao. The fruit can reach 15-30 cm in diameter and weigh 1-3 kg, dwarfing all other citrus species with its thick spongy rind and generous segments of sweet, firm flesh.

The pomelo tree is a vigorous, long-lived evergreen citrus that grows 5-15 meters tall with a spreading, rounded canopy. Its leaves are the largest among common citrus — ovate, leathery, and dark green, with winged petioles (leaf stalks) that give a distinctive shape. The white flowers are the largest and most fragrant of any citrus species, attracting pollinators and perfuming the air around fruiting orchards during the flowering season.

Unlike most citrus that can be juiced or squeezed, pomelo is primarily eaten by hand — the thick membrane around each segment is peeled away to reveal clean, individual juice vesicles that separate with satisfying ease. This eating experience — methodical, social, and distinctly tactile — makes pomelo a fruit for sharing, traditionally set out at family gatherings and holiday tables.

The Philippines is a significant global pomelo producer, with Davao del Sur leading production. The Davao pomelo (locally called buongon) has earned international recognition for its exceptional sweetness, nearly seedless flesh, and attractive pink-red coloration — qualities that have made it one of the country's premium fruit exports to Hong Kong, Japan, and the Middle East.

History & Discovery

Citrus maxima is native to Southeast Asia — specifically the Malay Archipelago, from which it spread to China, India, and the Pacific Islands over millennia of human cultivation. It is one of the three ancestral citrus species (along with mandarin and citron) from which nearly all modern citrus varieties derive through natural and deliberate hybridization. The grapefruit, for example, arose in the Caribbean as a pomelo-orange hybrid in the 18th century.

In the Philippines, pomelo has been cultivated since before written records. Archaeological and genetic evidence suggests that the fruit arrived via the same Austronesian migration routes that brought early agricultural plants to the archipelago. By the Spanish colonial period, pomelo orchards were well established in Cavite, Sorsogon, and the Visayas. The Tagalog name "suha" and the Visayan "lukban" or "buongon" reflect deep indigenous linguistic roots independent of Spanish influence.

The modern Davao pomelo industry emerged in the mid-20th century, when selected cultivars with superior sweetness and minimal seeds were identified and propagated through grafting. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the University of the Philippines Mindanao have played key roles in varietal improvement and pest management. Today, the Davao pomelo is protected as a premium product, with the Philippine government supporting its export through quality certification programs.

How to Plant Suha (Pomelo) in the Philippines

Pomelo is best propagated by grafting, budding, or marcotting (air layering). Seed-grown pomelo trees are unpredictable — they take 8-10 years to fruit and may not reproduce the parent tree's desirable characteristics. Grafted trees from reputable nurseries ensure varietal accuracy and faster fruiting (3-4 years).

Propagation Steps

1. Choose your variety: Select based on your preference and location. Davao pomelo (sweet, pink-red, nearly seedless) is the premium choice but performs best in Mindanao's conditions. Magallanes (sweet, white flesh) adapts well to Luzon. Native suha varieties are hardiest and most forgiving for beginner growers.
2. Acquire a grafted seedling: Purchase from a DA-accredited or BPI-certified nursery to ensure the tree is disease-free and true to variety. Grafted seedlings are typically 1-2 years old and 60-100 cm tall at purchase.
3. Select the planting site: Full sun (6-8 hours daily) with well-draining soil. Allow 6-8 meters between trees for commercial spacing, or plant a single specimen with at least 5 meters clearance from structures. Pomelo prefers slightly elevated ground that does not accumulate standing water.
4. Prepare the hole: Dig 80 cm wide and 80 cm deep. Mix excavated soil with one-third organic compost or well-aged animal manure. Incorporate a handful of bone meal for phosphorus. The ideal pH is slightly acidic (5.5-6.5).
5. Plant and stake: Set the graft union 10-15 cm above soil level. Backfill, create a watering basin, and water deeply. Stake the young tree for wind protection — pomelo's large leaves and eventual heavy fruit make it vulnerable to typhoon damage in the early years.
6. Mulch heavily: Apply 5-10 cm of organic mulch (rice hull, coconut coir, dried leaves) around the base. Pomelo's shallow feeder roots benefit greatly from mulch that conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and adds organic matter as it decomposes.
7. Establish a watering schedule: Water every 2-3 days for the first 3 months, then twice weekly during the dry season for the first 2 years. Established trees are moderately drought-tolerant but produce better fruit with consistent moisture during fruit development.

Best Planting Season

Plant pomelo at the onset of the wet season (June-July) for natural rainfall support during root establishment. In irrigated areas, planting can be done year-round. Avoid planting during peak typhoon months (August-October) if the site is typhoon-exposed — newly planted trees are vulnerable to wind damage.

Care Guide

Sunlight

Pomelo requires full sun — at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light reduces flowering, fruit set, and sugar accumulation in the fruit. In the Philippine lowlands, this is rarely an issue in open fields, but in urban settings, ensure the tree is not shaded by buildings or taller trees. South- and west-facing exposures are optimal in Metro Manila.

Water

Pomelo needs consistent moisture during fruit development (the 5-7 months from flowering to harvest) but benefits from mild water stress during the pre-flowering period to trigger bloom. Water established trees weekly during the dry season, more frequently during fruit enlargement. Avoid waterlogging — pomelo is highly susceptible to Phytophthora root rot in poorly drained soil. Drip irrigation is ideal for commercial and backyard trees alike.

Soil

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) rich in organic matter is ideal. Pomelo grows well in volcanic loam (explaining Davao's success), sandy loam, and alluvial soils. Avoid heavy clay unless amended with sand and organic matter. In Metro Manila's often-compacted urban soil, raised beds or large containers offer better drainage and root development. Pomelo responds well to soil enrichment with compost and aged manure.

Humidity & Temperature

Pomelo thrives in the Philippines' tropical climate — 25-35°C with 70-85% humidity. The tree is cold-sensitive and suffers below 15°C, though this is irrelevant in the Philippine lowlands. Pomelo benefits from a dry period (December-March) that triggers synchronized flowering, followed by fruit development during the wetter months. Areas with distinct wet-dry seasons (like Davao) produce the best quality fruit.

Fertilizer

Pomelo is a moderate feeder. Apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) quarterly during the first 3 years — 100-200 g per application. For fruiting trees, shift to a potassium-rich formula during fruit development to enhance sweetness and rind quality. Apply 1-3 kg of complete fertilizer per tree annually, split into 3-4 applications. Supplement with foliar micronutrient spray (zinc, manganese, boron) during the flowering and fruit-set stages. Top-dress annually with 10-20 kg of organic compost.

Pruning

Prune pomelo during the dry season after harvest. Remove dead wood, water sprouts, and interior branches that block air and light. Maintain an open-center canopy shape that allows sunlight to reach interior fruiting wood. For backyard trees, annual height management pruning can keep the tree at 4-6 meters for easier harvesting. Remove rootstock suckers below the graft union promptly. Avoid heavy pruning during flowering or fruiting.

Growing Medium Options

Edible Uses & Nutrition

Pomelo is eaten primarily as fresh fruit — peeled by hand, segment by segment, in a ritual that Filipinos have elevated to a social experience. The thick rind is discarded (or repurposed), and the tough membrane around each segment is carefully removed to reveal the clean, firm juice vesicles inside — sweet, fragrant, and satisfying in a way no other citrus quite matches.

Edible Parts

• Fruit flesh: The primary edible part — sweet, firm juice vesicles eaten by hand or used in salads and desserts
• Rind: Candied (dulce) in some Filipino and Chinese traditions; also used as a natural air freshener
• Juice: Extracted for beverages, though less common than eating fresh due to the effort of juicing

Culinary Uses in Filipino Cooking

• Fresh eating: The primary use — peeled and eaten fresh, especially during Christmas season (Noche Buena). Chilled pomelo is a refreshing merienda.
• Pomelo salad: Flesh tossed with shrimp, toasted coconut, peanuts, chili, and fish sauce — a Thai-inspired dish increasingly popular in Filipino restaurants
• Noche Buena centerpiece: Whole pomelo displayed on the Filipino Christmas Eve table alongside grapes and apples as a symbol of prosperity and abundance
• Preserved pomelo rind: Rind candied in sugar syrup — a traditional delicacy in Chinese-Filipino households and a way to reduce waste from the thick rind
• Pomelo juice and smoothies: Flesh blended for juice, though the lower juice content compared to oranges makes this less common
• Fruit salad ingredient: Pomelo segments added to Filipino fruit salad (with condensed milk and cream) for texture contrast

Nutritional Information

Per 100 g of fresh pomelo flesh (USDA FoodData Central):

Pomelo is low in calories and an excellent source of vitamin C — a single serving (200 g, about 2-3 segments) provides over 100% of the daily requirement. Pink-fleshed varieties like Davao pomelo contain lycopene, the same antioxidant found in tomatoes and watermelon. The fruit is also a good source of potassium and dietary fiber.

Air Quality & Oxygen

As a large evergreen citrus tree, pomelo contributes significantly to air quality in Filipino communities. The dense canopy of large leaves provides substantial surface area for gas exchange — producing oxygen, absorbing CO₂, and filtering airborne particulates. Mature pomelo trees offer excellent shade, reducing ground temperatures by 3-6°C beneath the canopy.

The tree's fragrant white flowers — the largest and most aromatic of any citrus — add olfactory value to the surrounding environment during flowering season. Even the thick rind is traditionally used as a natural air freshener in Filipino homes, placed in rooms or vehicles to absorb odors and release a mild citrus scent.

Pomelo is not included in NASA's Clean Air Study, but its urban ecosystem value as a shade tree, oxygen producer, and windbreak is well established in tropical agroforestry.

Toxicity & Safety

Humans: Pomelo flesh is non-toxic and safe to eat. However, pomelo contains furanocoumarins that inhibit the CYP3A4 liver enzyme — the same interaction found in grapefruit. This can increase blood levels of certain medications including statins, calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants, and some psychiatric medications. Individuals taking prescription medications should consult their doctor before consuming pomelo regularly. This is a clinically documented pharmacological interaction, not a folk medicine concern.

Pets: The ASPCA lists citrus species as toxic to dogs and cats. Essential oils (limonene, linalool) in citrus rinds, leaves, and seeds can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression in pets. The flesh in small amounts is generally tolerable, but keep rinds, seeds, and leaves away from dogs and cats. Most pets naturally avoid citrus due to the strong scent.

Common Pests & Diseases in the Philippines

• Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri): Vector for citrus greening disease (HLB) — the most devastating citrus disease in the Philippines. Control with systemic insecticides during new leaf flushes and remove any HLB-symptomatic trees immediately.
• Citrus greening disease (HLB): Bacterial infection causing mottled yellow leaves, lopsided bitter fruit, and tree death. No cure — prevention through psyllid management and certified disease-free nursery stock is critical.
• Fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.): Major pest of pomelo — larvae feed inside the fruit, causing rot and drop. Manage with methyl eugenol traps, protein bait sprays, and fruit bagging for high-value fruit.
• Citrus leaf miner (Phyllocnistis citrella): Moth larvae mine through young leaves, causing curling and silver trails. Especially damaging to young trees. Spray neem oil or spinosad during new growth flushes.
• Phytophthora root rot and gummosis: The primary fungal disease — caused by waterlogged soil. Symptoms include trunk gum exudation, bark cracking, crown yellowing, and root decay. Ensure excellent drainage and avoid trunk wounding.
• Citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri): Bacterial disease causing raised corky lesions on leaves, fruit, and twigs. Manage with copper-based sprays and removal of infected tissue. Quarantine protocols apply in some areas.
• Scale insects and mealybugs: Sap-feeders on twigs and leaves, producing honeydew and attracting sooty mold. Control with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Plants of the World Online — Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
• Bureau of Plant Industry — Philippine Pomelo Industry Profile and Production Guide.
• USDA FoodData Central — Pummelo (pomelo), raw. FDC ID: 169917.
• FNRI-DOST — Philippine Food Composition Tables: Suha nutritional data.
• Bailey, D.G. et al. (2013). Grapefruit–medication interactions. CMAJ, 185(4), 309-316. (Pomelo-drug interaction data.)
• Philippine Statistics Authority — Fruit Crops: Volume of Production by Region.
• Wu, G.A. et al. (2018). Genomics of the origin and evolution of Citrus. Nature, 554, 311-316.

This guide is for informational purposes. Consult local agricultural extension offices (ATI, DA-RFO) for region-specific growing recommendations. If you take prescription medications, consult your doctor about pomelo consumption.