What do cashew plants look like?
The cashew tree, or Anacardium occidentale, is an evergreen tropical shrub or tree that belongs to the Anacardiaceae subfamily of sumacs. It is grown for its distinctively curved edible seeds, which are sometimes referred to as “cashew nuts” despite not being nuts.
The domesticated cashew tree is found across the New World, but it is mostly grown for commercial purposes in Northeastern Brazil, Southeast Venezuela, and India. Today, cashew trees can be found growing in other tropical and warm regions of the world, such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and India.
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See also: All about India’s National Tree- Banyan
Cashew tree: Key facts
| Name | Cashew tree |
| Scientific name | Anacardium occidentale |
| Plant type | Evergreen tropical shrub |
| Native | Northeastern Brazil, Southeast, Venezuela, Southeast Asia, Africa and India, |
| Sunlight | 6 hours of direct sunlight |
| Climate | Warm |
| Soil | Sandy soil |
| Fertiliser | Phosphorus-rich fertiliser |
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Cashew tree: Description
The cashew tree is an enormous, evergreen tree that can reach heights of around 14 metres (46 feet) and has a short, frequently irregularly shaped trunk. However, there are dwarf cultivars that can reach a height of 6 metres (20 feet) in areas with fertile soil and high humidity levels. The leaves are elliptic to ovate, spirally organised, leathery in texture, 4-22 centimetres long and 2-15 centimetres wide, and have smooth margins. Each flower is tiny, pale green initially, later turning reddish, and has five thin, acute petals that range in length from 7 to 15 millimetres. The flowers bloom in a panicle or corymb that can be up to 26 cm (10 in) long. The cashew tree is grown for its distinctively curved edible seeds, also known as “nuts”, even though they are not actually nuts.
How to plant cashew trees
- Cashew seeds should be sown fresh since they germinate quickly.
- It takes 3 to 5 years for a tree that is grown from seeds to bear fruit. It is advisable to purchase a potted plant from a nursery. You won’t have to wait long if you do it this way.
- If you have taken fresh seed off the tree, let it dry in the sun for three days and then immerse it in water for an overnight soak before planting.
- The seeds should be sown in a high-quality seed-starting mixture because they can take between 4 days and 3 weeks to germinate.
- Plant your fresh cashew seed in sandy soil.
- To allow room for the roots to spread, plant your seeds 10 centimetres (3.9 in) deep.
- To give each tree enough area to grow, plant multiple trees 30 feet (9.1 m) apart.
- Use a location that experiences average rainfall.
- Make sure your tree receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Cashew trees prefer warm, sunny areas since they develop more slowly and possibly don’t even produce flowers if they don’t get enough sunlight.
- When the tree is young, water it once a week. This will guarantee that the root system grows properly.
- Occasionally fertilise your tree.
- Use a stake to support and hold the tree in place.
- Be patient. The entire process, from planting the seeds to picking the fruit off the tree, takes three years.
- Pick a spot that is well-sheltered from the wind.
- Ensure that there are no weeds, tiny bushes, vines, or other obstructions in the vicinity of the base of your cashew tree.
- Keep an eye out for dead or unhealthy branches and prune them as necessary.
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Cashew tree: How to maintain
Knowing some basic gardeners’ advice will make caring for a cashew tree uncomplicated.
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Climate
Cashew trees thrive in warm climates and should be grown in such climates for considerable growth.
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Plant a young tree or sow seeds
For germination, pick fresh cashew seeds to plant. Your cashew tree may not produce fruit for up to five years if it is grown from seeds because this is a long process. Purchase a potted cashew tree from a garden centre for a quicker growing procedure.
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Sunlight
Give these trees at least six hours of direct sunlight each day for optimum growth. Overly shaded cashew plants typically yield fewer cashew seeds.
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Ideal soil
Sandy soils with a pH of about six are appropriate for cashew trees to grow in. Avoid thick and clayey soils because they hold too much water. Well-draining soil is ideal for cashew trees.
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Watering
In the summer, water your tree thoroughly; in the winter, water it infrequently. Because excessive watering might kill cashew trees, letting the soil completely dry in between waterings.
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Fertiliser
During the growing season, use a phosphorus-rich fertiliser every two months. To increase nutrient content, spread a layer of compost or organic mulch.
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Pruning
Regularly prune cashew trees to get rid of diseased or pest-infested branches as well as weak, dead, and knotted ones. Cut congested branches as well to encourage brisk development.
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Mulching
Use organic mulch to cover the area surrounding your cashew tree to keep weeds out and moisture in.
9. Pests and diseases
If the cashew tree is healthy, it usually doesn’t have any pest problems. The stem and root borer, leaf miner, bloom Webber, and tea mosquito are significant pests that present a considerable threat. Some of the most prevalent pests that affect cashew trees include borers. One sign that your cashew tree has borers, which can appear as early as the seedling stage, is a swollen stem. To deal with borer infestations, trim infected branches or apply a bark spray.
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know about: banyan tree
Cashew tree: Uses
- The seed shell of the cashew tree produces compounds that can be utilised for a variety of purposes, such as lubricants, waterproofing, and paints.
- The cashew apple is a pale reddish to yellow fruit, and its pulp and juice can be fermented and distilled into alcohol or processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink. It can be consumed raw, cooked in curries, or fermented to make citric and vinegar. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be flavoured with them.
- The tree yields wood that is utilised in regional economies for the production of gum that is comparable to gum arabic as well as other valuable goods, including shipping crates, boats, and charcoal.
- The resin found inside the fruit’s shells is crucial in conventional medications as well as being utilised as a pesticide and in the manufacture of polymers.
- Although the majority of cultivation is focused on producing the important seed crop, the cashew apple is utilised locally in drinks, jams, and jellies.
- Similar to other tree seeds known as nuts, cashew seeds are used in cooking and snacking.
- In South Asian cuisine, cashews are frequently used, either whole to decorate sweets or curries or mashed into a paste to serve as the base of sauces for curries (like korma) or some desserts (e.g., Kaju barfi).
- In addition, it is utilised in powdered form to make a variety of Indian desserts and sweets.
- Dark yellow cashew nut oil is produced by pressing cashew nuts, usually from lower-quality broken chunks left or during processing. It can be used in cooking or as a salad dressing.
- Livestock can be fed cashew nuts that have been discarded because they are unfit for human consumption and leftover oil after cashew kernel extraction. The leaves of cashew trees are edible to animals as well.
- The calcium, vitamin C, and carbohydrate content of cashew nuts are substantial. Cashew nuts, which are related to pistachio nuts, can be used to make creamy nut butter.
Cashew tree: Toxicity
Cashew tree can be toxic as it is related to poison ivy and poison sumac and can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Certain parts of the cashew must be handled carefully by those who are susceptible.
Where can you grow Cashew trees?
Cashew is now widely cultivated for its kernel, fruit, cashew nut shell liquid and other products.
- As of today, one in every two cashew yields of the global cashew production comes from Africa making the continent the world’s largest producer of cashew nuts currently.
- However, it is mostly found in the coastal regions of South Africa, Madagascar, Tanzania, and South Asia, from Sri Lanka to the Philippines.
- India is the largest producer, processor, consumer and exporter of cashew in the world.
- The annual total world production of cashew nuts is approaching one million MT, being Vietnam (30%) and Nigeria (21%) the major producers, followed by Brazil, with further significant yields in West African countries, namely in Ivory Coast, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.
The growing demand for cashew nuts around the world, particularly in developed and emerging economies, is driven by several factors.
High global demand
- African countries are at the forefront in responding to this growing demand with an increase in cashew production.
- As a source of job creation, two-thirds of the African population works in the agricultural sector, also making it the largest employer of labour on the continent.
- In 2016, cashew nuts demand increased by 6.1 per cent. In 2021, it is expected that cashews will take over 29 per cent of the global nuts market.
- Nigeria has recently become one of the leading suppliers of cashew nuts to India and which generates the country about N23 billion annually according to Nairametrics.
- Cashew investment provides preservation of your capital and offers interest payments much higher and better than traditional saving accounts in banks.
- Unlike the other cashew producing giant counterparts like Southeast Asia and Brazil where cashew production has hit a glass ceiling, Africa is still just getting started at hitting its potential scale.
Huge available market
- Overall, the consumer demand for cashew worldwide is always on the increase thereby giving cashew a top spot among other exportable crops here in Nigeria.
- Globally, countries with the highest volumes of cashew nut consumption in 2020 were India at 1.6M tonnes, Vietnam at 1.5M tonnes, and Cote d’Ivoire at 310 K tonnes, thereby accounting for 72% of global consumption.
Good price point
- Cashew nuts business is determined by dollar value because most of the people involved are exporting it.
- This means that your farm earns more with the rise in dollar value.
- Cashew farming is thus always a lucrative crop to invest in as the price of cashew nuts keeps doubling every year.
- Even the same bottle quantity of cashew is almost 3 times the price of a bottle of fried groundnut.
Easy farm management
- Cashew farming is preferred amongst many farmers when compared to other cash groups like rubber and cocoa because of its low management requirement.
- The cashew plant thrives well in most soils and is not easily choked by weeds.
- This drastically reduces the cost of production and human resources used in the farming practice.
What is the lifespan of a cashew tree?
According to the department of science and technology, Government of India, The life of a cashew tree is almost 60 years, but the nut bearing capacity is only 20-30 years. The annual production of the raw nut on a global scale is 37.2 lakh tonnes produced in an area of 40.97 lakh hectare. The tree is known to have existed since the 16th century and was brought to India by the Portuguese.
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FAQs
Cashew trees grow in which climate?
Cashew trees prefer warm, sunny areas since they develop more slowly and possibly don't even produce flowers if they don't get enough sunlight.
Which soil is best for the growth of cashew trees?
Sandy soils with a pH of about six are ideal for cashew trees to grow in. Avoid dense and clayey soils because they retain too much water. Well-draining soil is ideal for cashew trees.