Within the framework of the SUCCEEDS project, The Fruit Republic has established the first professional citrus nursery in the Mekong Delta. With more than 150,000 hectares of citrus orchards in Southern Vietnam, there is a significant demand for high-quality planting material.
While many nurseries operate in the region—particularly in Ben Tre—there remains a shortage of disease-free seedlings with fully traceable rootstocks and mother plants. A large proportion of citrus planting material is affected by diseases such as citrus greening (HLB) and citrus tristeza. In addition, traditional nursery practices often rely on heavy clay soils, which limit root development and increase the risk of phytophthora infections.
The SUCCEEDS nursery addresses these challenges through modern infrastructure and technology. The facility includes 1,600 m² of greenhouse space and is the first nursery in Vietnam to implement the patented Ellepot propagation system.
The Ellepot system replaces traditional plastic sleeves with biodegradable paper pots. Combined with open-air trays, this system enables a process known as air pruning, which fundamentally improves root development. Instead of producing long, spiraling roots that can restrict growth, air pruning encourages the formation of a dense, fibrous root system with a large surface area of fine root hairs—essential for efficient water and nutrient uptake.
Another key advantage is that seedlings can be planted directly into the field or into larger containers without removing the pot. This eliminates root damage and transplant shock, allowing plants to establish more quickly. As a result, air-pruned seedlings show faster initial canopy growth and higher survival rates after planting.
In its first phase, the SUCCEEDS nursery has the capacity to produce 100,000 seedlings per year. In parallel, the project is supporting 10 selected local nurseries in upgrading their production systems. Through training and technical support, these nurseries are improving their ability to produce healthier planting material with stronger root systems.
Together, these efforts will enable the supply of high-quality citrus seedlings to approximately 20,000 farmers each year, contributing to a more productive, resilient, and sustainable citrus sector in the Mekong Delta.
