Growing Wambugu Apples in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Mombasa is poorly suited to Wambugu Apples. Mombasa's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Mombasa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Mombasa County is a challenging environment for Wambugu Apples (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Wambugu Apples prefers loam soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 50 m, the county sits below Wambugu Apples's preferred altitude range (1500–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Wambugu Apples's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Mombasa's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMombasa soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH6.2457OK
Nitrogen0.95 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium136 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,000 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude50 m1,500–2,500 mLow

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual
Instruction
Apply at start of long and short rains. Young trees need half the rate of mature trees.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

WambuguMedium/Highland
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
Kenya-adapted apple; does not require chilling; good local market.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield in Mombasa0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Mombasa's 0/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Wambugu Apples can reach 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag