Is it possible to grow cashews at home?

In Brazil, this tree is called "caju", in Latin its name is "Anacardium occidentale", in our country it is called "cashew". Its fruits are known to everyone. Therefore, many gardeners want to grow a tree on their site. Let us see what this plant is, and whether it is possible to plant it in our plot.

Description

A woody plant has a branching trunk and reaches a height of 12 m. Not deciduous, remains green all year round. This is due to the range of its growth. The leaves are of different sizes, oval, rather dense and without denticles.

Exactly the same leaves in a walnut. Can be from 4 to 24 cm in length and from 5 to 15 cm in width. It has small flowers at the ends of the twigs. They are light green, going to a complex inflorescence.

In the middle they have a red tint and five white petals up to 1.5 cm long. It has an expanded receptacle of red or yellow color.

The stem or receptacle have thick skin and juicy flesh. It tastes sour.Outwardly, the stem resembles Bulgarian pepper, in the section it looks like a persimmon.

How and where does cashew grow?

Cashew loves a humid and warm climate, therefore, some have seen how this tree grows only in the photo. However, for Brazil, its homeland, it is considered normal. It was first discovered in the east of Amazonia (the modern part of Brazil).

Grown in all tropical countries. India and Vietnam are considered its largest producers. Therefore, you can often find the name "Indian nut". Also, the plant is common in Africa, Iran and Azerbaijan.

In total, plantations are located in 32 countries. Its production is growing steadily. Only from 1965 to 2009 it increased 8.5 times around the world.

Conditions for home growing

Hack, as they call cashews, is a moisture-loving plant and tolerates high temperatures. Flowering occurs in spring and summer. The fruits ripen in two or three months. Propagated by seed plant.

Therefore, before planting it should be germinated in a pot. To do this, you need to soak the seeds in water for two days. But be careful, because they are poisonous and the water from which you get them, can cause irritation in your hands. Then they need to be planted in small pots up to 2 liters. Sprouts will appear during the first month after planting. It is also important the abundance of light and carbon dioxide. But this applies to any exotic plants.

Climate

The tropical climate is an ideal habitat for hacking. Our temperate climate is not at all suitable for its cultivation, since the exotic plant will simply die at a temperature of even + 5 ° C. You need a very large greenhouse if you want to grow cashews.

The fact is that the tree is growing rapidly. And the humidity of the air, which is necessary for the normal development of the fruit is at least 95%.

But do not forget that excessive moisture can harm other plants. After all, mold or other fungi can appear. Therefore, reduce this figure with a high temperature.

For example, in the morning you created the desired level of humidity in the greenhouse (given that you have other exotic plants) and then, when a small haze is formed, turn off the air humidifier. Until the evening everything is dry and in the morning you repeat the procedure again. The average temperature in which cashews should grow is 30-32 ° C. However, this temperature is necessary for any tropical plant.

The soil

It is grown indoors and requires loamy soil, which will permanently hold the soil in the roots of the tree. Although in the early stages, when only the cultivation of seeds, the soil is light, use. Chernozem is also suitable for wood.

Features care for the nut

Watering is done every two days. Usually look at the top layer of the earth. Make-up needs to be done once a week. Of course, you can every day. But it is necessary to divide proportionally. If you have fertilizer once a month, then break this part, for example, 4 times and feed each week.

In the first years of the development of a directly transplanted tree, prune. This will allow the nut to grow not too high and with a small crown. Recommend abundant fertilizing with mineral fertilizers.This is due to the original place of growth. The fact is that in the tropics the soil-forming rock is minerals. Therefore, I order not to do without them at home. Humus should also be present in the soil.

Application and useful properties

Having understood what a "cashew" in breeding, you need to understand how to continue to use its fruits. Its fruit is used completely: from the "apple" to the nut. When you harvest, the inshell nut must be separated from the stalk, dried in the sun, and then fry and peeled from the shell.

But you can use the "cashew apple". This amazing receptacle is used in cooking for making jelly and even alcohol. The shell itself can be used in the manufacture of automotive brake pads.

As for the beneficial properties, the cashew nut is a storehouse of trace elements. The energy value of the nut per 100 g is equal to 554 kcal (2314 kJ). Protein contains less than fat. Rich in sugar (5.91 g / 100 g).Contains a lot of phosphorus and potassium.

Cashew, though useful, but also very picky plant. If you like to experiment, then the tree is for you. But for beginners, gardeners will be hard to cope with all the features of cultivation. Remember that this tropical plant requires close attention and will not take root in the open field.