The largest barrier to growing cashews of your own is climate. When these needs are met, however, cashew trees are known to grow like weeds! Climate Cashew Tree CareĬashew trees are relatively uncommon throughout much of the world because they require a very specific environment to grow. ![]() Trees grown from seedlings usually produce fruit within 2 to 3 years. From SeedlingĪlternatively, you can start a cashew tree by planting a seedling. ![]() Most viable cashew seeds germinate within 3 weeks.Ĭashew trees started from seed can take up to 5 years to produce any fruit. Allow freshly harvested seeds to dry in the sun for several days.īefore planting, soak the seed in water overnight for stratification. Pro Tip: Always wear long gardening gloves when handling raw cashew seeds.Ĭashews intended for planting should have been harvested within the past 4 months. You can, however, purchase raw cashew nuts (seeds) for planting. You can’t grow a tree by planting a roasted and salted cashew from the grocery store. Place seeds or young trees in a location that receives light or moderate rainfall to prevent overwatering. Home gardeners interested in growing cashews often start with a seed of seedling of unknown genetic origin.įor the best results, plant cashews at the beginning of your area’s wet season. Most cultivars are only available to commercial orchards - these cashew trees have been selectively bred for qualities like fruit size and flavor. But within this species are several cultivars and varieties. It’s easier than you might think! But there are also plenty of reasons to continue getting your cashews from the local grocery store.Īll cashew trees belong to the species Anacardium occidentale. So why not learn how to grow cashews of your own? Nut or not, cashews are undeniably delicious. Other drupes include cherries, olives, and peaches. Rather, they’re a type of fruit called a drupe. Also, cashew “nuts” aren’t even true nuts. But do you have any idea where, say, cashews actually come from? Cashews grow on tropical, evergreen trees of the species Anacardium occidentale.įew people know that what we think of as a cashew is only part of the tree’s fruit! The other portion is known as a cashew apple (and it’s also edible). They are highly nutritious, with high amounts of vitamin C, calcium, iron, and vitamin B1.No pantry is complete without an array of salted nuts. Both the cashew apples and the nuts are good for you. You’ll want to don gloves and a long-sleeved shirt for protection, and maybe safety glasses. One method to separate the nuts from the caustic shell is to freeze the cashew nuts and separate them while they are frozen. The shell of the cashew nut contains a caustic oil that causes burns and skin irritation on contact. The nuts grow in shells at the bottom end of the apples. These develop into edible red fruits, called cashew apples. The tree produces rose colored fragrant flowers in panicles. Additional Cashew Nut InformationĬashew nut trees grow flowers during winter, not summer. If insect pests, like the twig borer, eat the tree foliage, treat the trees with an appropriate insecticide. Trim the young cashew trees every now and then to remove branches that are broken or diseased. Be sure to use a fertilizer that contains nitrogen and phosphorus, and also possibly zinc. ![]() Provide fertilizer during the growing season, especially when the tree is flowering and developing nuts. If you have planted cashew nut trees, you’ll need to provide your young trees with both water and fertilizer. Well-draining sandy soil is best for growing cashew nuts and trees. The trees are drought resistant, and they can thrive on marginal soils. In fact, with a little irrigation, they grow like weeds. In this temperature range, growing cashew nut trees is easy. It is also possible to grow the trees in any frost-free area. Ideally, your temperature should not drop below 50 degrees F. You can start growing cashew nuts if you live in the tropics, whether the climate is wet or dry.
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