Do you want to know how to grow a cashew tree so you can have a ready-to-pick supply of wonderful cashew nuts? How about a few handy cashew tree care tips? Well, you’ve landed on the right page! The cashew tree originates from Brazil. It is an evergreen tropical tree belonging to the Anacardiaceae class. You can get high amounts of minerals, vitamin B, C, and E from its cashew nut.
Vietnam was the leading producer of cashew nuts in 2016, with a total global production of 4.89 million tonnes. Cashew nut trees blossom flowers during winter and start producing their fruit during winter. You can grow cashew trees anywhere in the dry/wet tropics. Let’s get started and discover how to grow cashew trees.
Table of Contents
Where does cashew grow?
The cashew is a tropical and subtropical evergreen shrub that prospers in high humidity and fertile soil. Choose the area that has well-draining ground. Never plant cashew trees in clay-rich soil to save roots from water logging which destroys the trees over time.
Brazil, India, Vietnam, Africa, and South East Asia are the main producers of cashew nut trees. An average day temperature of around 25°C (77°F) is to nurture cashew trees. Cashew trees spread like weeds as long as they have access to water. They can survive draughts to some extent and thrive in poor soils and higher temperatures. Sandier soils with slightly acidic pH are the best for cultivating cashews.
Read: How to Use Soil Moisture Meter
How to Grow Cashew Trees in Your Courtyard
Do you wish to munch cashews in the tins of mixed nuts? If you are living in tropical and subtropical regions, thriving cashew trees in the courtyard or lawn is feasible. You just have to fix the proper environment and growing conditions which require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
How to Grow Cashew Trees from Seeds
You need to find an unshelled and matured nut if you want to grow the cashew from seeds. Cashew seeds stay viable for up to four months. You are required to dry it in the sun for three days and moisten it in water overnight.
But if you want to germinate easier and faster, It’s best to sow fresh cashew seeds. Spread the seeds and wait for them to germinate. It requires three weeks to grow. Check the soil regularly to assure that it’s not drying out.
How to Grow Cashew tree in the pot
Growing nuts in a planter at home is an easy way to have them available for your cravings. It is easier and preferable to get a seedling or grafted tree from a nursery because it is difficult to cultivate a cashew nut plant from the fruit. It’s simple to grow your seedling in a container once you have one. Just follow these guidelines.
Get a large flowerpot
Cashew plants grow to become trees, so keep that in mind when choosing a container. Using a tiny net, scatter stones close to the hole.
Potting dirt should cover 3/4 of the container
To prepare your potting soil, combine garden soil, compost, coir or coconut fiber, limestone, sand, and fertilizers. You can also buy potting soil from the nursery.
Dig a hollow in the soil for the plant
Make sure the roots are securely planted in the soil. Add more dirt over the roots until the pot is full. Use your hands to apply pressure.
Place your pot in the sun
Place it under the sun for 6 hours. Never store it in a room with air conditioning. The soil should be kept moist, especially during the first two weeks. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and zinc fertilizer roughly twice a year, particularly during blooming and nut development.
Enjoy your cashew plant nuts
A cashew nut grows under fruit or apple, under the shell. Red fruit indicates that the nut is ready. It’s time to enjoy it.
Six Simple Steps for Growing the Cashew Trees
- Temperatures in cashew-producing regions range from 10 to 40 C.
- Plant the seeds 10 cm deep to allow room for the roots to grow.
- The cashew trees should be spaced 9.1 m apart in order to flourish.
- The finest outcomes come from using the freshest seed possible.
- Deep soil layers and proper drainage are necessary for cashew tree growth and strong harvests.
How long does a cashew tree take to harvest?
When cashew trees are planted, it only takes around 3 years for the tree to start bearing and producing fruit. During their tenth year, they reach full production and continue to produce for another 20 years. A cashew nut harvest takes place between February and May. The cashew tree has to be at least 5-7 years old to generate a steady yield and harvest. A mature cashew tree may reach heights of 6–12 meters (20–40 feet).
Average Cashew Tree Production by Age
- Cashew trees that are 3 to 5 years old produce 2 to 3 kilograms of raw cashew nuts per tree.
- 6 to 10 years old Cashew trees produce 4-5 kilograms of raw cashew nuts per tree.
- 5 to 10 kg of raw cashew nuts may be harvested from each 11–15-year-old tree.
Care guidelines for the cashew tree
Climate and location
The growth region for cashews has temperatures between 10 and 40 C. Without protection, they will struggle to live when the temperature falls below 50°F. As a result, you must take steps to shield your tree from cold spells.
You should plant either next to a warm building wall that faces south or west. Cold and frost damage will be reduced either way. Locations with a south or westerly orientation often get more warmth and are less likely to freeze than those with a north or east orientation.
Watering
Once Cashew trees are established, they can tolerate drought to some extent. you should water the young trees frequently. Its growth rate will double with weekly watering, helping the trees to take root more quickly. Fruit production is also encouraged by regular irrigation.
You might need to water your trees twice a week in warmer climes. Don’t overwater the plants because doing so might cause harm or even cause the plants to die. You should also temporarily stop watering during the intense rain.
Mulching
You can better protect your cashew tree from frosts and cold weather if its base is mulched. It can also prevent weeds from sprouting and maintain soil moisture. Sandy soils benefit the most from this. Mulch can be helpful in the defense of plants against soil-borne pests.
Black polythene wraps can be installed at the base of your tree if you don’t want to routinely work organic stuff around it. It will stop providing additional nutrients that organic mulch does which offer some protection from frost. Alternatively, you can use stones and tiny pebbles around its base. These are equally useful but look nicer than the black plastic covering.
Fertilizing
you should frequently keep fertilizing during the growing season, especially when the trees are blooming and producing fruit. Use a fertilizer that is rich in zinc, phosphorus, and nitrogen. The quantity you apply will vary depending on the tree’s size and the climate in which it is growing.
During the growth period, you should nourish your tree once every two months. Furthermore, you can annually modify the soil around the base of mature cashew trees with compost or farm manure.
Pruning and Training
If any sprouts appear from the roots of the cashew tree during the first year, remove them. These sprouts will absorb essential nutrients and affect the growth of trees. You should trim damaged and unhealthy branches regularly. This will stop the spread of illnesses and deter pests from attacking your trees.
Cut off tangled and congested branches to promote growth. A cashew tree branch can be trained during its first few years to assume the right shape. The majority of this shaping will include cutting away lower and twisted branches. Late summer and early fall are the best times to prune.
Weeding
Occasionally pull weeds from around the cashew tree’s base. The tree will be able to absorb more moisture and nutrients. You can avoid the growth of weeds if you have a row of cashew trees, by establishing grass strips between the tree lines. Those strips of grass will need to be mowed often.
The lifespan of the Cashew Tree
The cashew tree has a 20 to 25-year lifetime. If you take care of your cashew tree, it will live longer and grow better. It requires sunlight, water, nutrients, and an environment free of pests to grow well. The cashew tree can grow up to 10 to 12 meters. However, some trees can reach heights of 14 meters.
The health benefits of the Cashew Tree
Cashew nuts are a highly healthy food that has great health advantages. These kidney-shaped nuts may treat a number of conditions, from heart disease to digestive problems. Additionally, consuming cashews frequently will provide you with the necessary nutrients.
The Bottom Line
With its lush green leaves and exquisite pink blooms, a cashew tree adds beauty to any yard. It’s also a simple tree to maintain and grow. Once it is grown, it won’t need much maintenance and care. You can reap the benefits for many years to come. Happy Planting!
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