I had the same fruits that LL had and while the Pulasan we had at Juan's was my favorite fruit of the trip, I very much enjoyed fruits we had elsewhere. I think he's being a bit dramatic to assess the difference at 100x. But that's LL I enjoy the taste and especially the look of both rambutan and pulasan. The trees that I saw are not very dramatic in and of themselves. I did not see the stately trees that one might describe when looking at a big lychee or even a mangosteen. However, the bizarre/strange/alien look to the fruit hanging on the tree makes seeing them quite an experience. Rambutan fruit is sweet and delicious, but for me lacks the complexity that I enjoy in fruit. Then there is the issue of the clinging seed coat that is fairly annoying. I understand that there are some freestone or freer stone varieities, but I did not expereince this. The ones I had were clingy and clingier...if that's a word. Now on to the growing of these in Florida. I came away from Puerto Rico with the thought that it would be possible and I planted seed out of rambutan and pulasan. Before I invested in grafed/air layered trees I wanted to see just how cold sensitive they were. I can report to you that rambutan is less cold sensitive that Pulasan. However, both are very, very cold sensitive.....to the point that I have no seedling pulasans alive after two years of seed planting. I still have some rambutans that are alive and kicking. I think pulasan is even more cold sensitive than durian....at least the seedlings that I have planted out seem to demonstrate that I would think that to have any chance of getting pulasan to any size....you need to not allow ambient temps to go below 60. Constant 70's or higher would be much better, but 55 pretty much did my plants in. That reality jolted me into the realiztion that unless I build a greenhouse, I will never be able accomplish this dream. The fact that the pulasan trees were not huge and were still fruiting gave me hope that this could be done in a reasonable amount of time. The temperature is the only hindrance. Anyway, if you can control the temp...give it a go.....it is a challenge, but if you are succesful, you will be rewarded with an excellent fruit if you get a good culitvar.
Harry