-Macadamia tree reaches to about 15 meters in height. In general, it achieves maturity and begins to produce fruit at around the age of seventh year of plantation.
-Although the macadamia tree can grow to 20 meters (60 feet) high, with careful yearly pruning they can be limited in size, making them a good choice as a productive shade tree for a reasonable sized home garden. They are vulnerable to frost so cultivation would only suit frost free temperate to tropical zones. You will need rich well drained soil for best results.
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| Macadamia trees |
A good supply of nitrogen and potassium are needed to produce quality fruit. Addition of chicken manure and compost before planting and as a regular side dressing throughout the growing season is recommended.
Planting macadamia - They tend to grow best in areas of high humidity and high rainfall.
-They will grow optimally at average annual temperatures between 20 and 25°C in a deep, well draining loam and sandy loam with a pH between 5.0 and 5.5. Trees should not be planted in heavy clays.
-It is recommended that macadamia only be planted in frost free areas, young trees will be killed by temperatures of -6°C although older, established trees can tolerate some light frost.
-They will grow optimally at average annual temperatures between 20 and 25°C in a deep, well draining loam and sandy loam with a pH between 5.0 and 5.5. Trees should not be planted in heavy clays.
-It is recommended that macadamia only be planted in frost free areas, young trees will be killed by temperatures of -6°C although older, established trees can tolerate some light frost.
Transplanting macadamia - When planting numerous macadamia trees in a plantation, consideration must be given to drainage, irrigation, row alignment and wind protection.
-Planting distances tend to be site specific and are dependent on factors such as the macadamia variety, soil and rainfall.
-Planting distances tend to be site specific and are dependent on factors such as the macadamia variety, soil and rainfall.
Macadamia care and maintenance - During the first four years after planting, animal manure and a thick layer of organic mulch can be applied around the trees year round.
-After this period, the amount of manure added should be decreased to prevent the trees being provided with too much nitrogen and being deficient in potassium.
-In the first 4 years following planting, vegetative growth should be stimulated through pruning. Once the leading shoot has reached a height of approximately 80 cm (31.5 in) it should be clipped to stimulate branching. -Established trees are usually pruned in the Spring when old, unproductive and diseased branches are removed from the canopy. Any nuts remaining on the tree should also be removed.
-Mulches are best applied after nut harvest to allow the material to decompose before the next crop. Avoid piling mulch up against the trunks to prevent disease.
-After this period, the amount of manure added should be decreased to prevent the trees being provided with too much nitrogen and being deficient in potassium.
-In the first 4 years following planting, vegetative growth should be stimulated through pruning. Once the leading shoot has reached a height of approximately 80 cm (31.5 in) it should be clipped to stimulate branching. -Established trees are usually pruned in the Spring when old, unproductive and diseased branches are removed from the canopy. Any nuts remaining on the tree should also be removed.
-Mulches are best applied after nut harvest to allow the material to decompose before the next crop. Avoid piling mulch up against the trunks to prevent disease.
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| Macadamia blossoms |
Macadamia pests and diseases
1.Phytophthora trunk and stem canker - Nursery trees and young plantations trees are stunted and chlorotic and may be partially defoliated; if lesions girdle the stem then the tree will die; in mature trees, dark discoloration of wood is visible by removing the bark from the trunk of the tree; dark cankers may extend from trunk at soil line to the lower branches of the tree.
1.Phytophthora trunk and stem canker - Nursery trees and young plantations trees are stunted and chlorotic and may be partially defoliated; if lesions girdle the stem then the tree will die; in mature trees, dark discoloration of wood is visible by removing the bark from the trunk of the tree; dark cankers may extend from trunk at soil line to the lower branches of the tree.
2.Anthracnose - Black lesions on leaves and fruit; soft black lesions on husks of nuts followed by decay of nuts on the ground; senescent mature nuts may remain attached to the tree; shells of infected husks may turn brown-gray in color but the kernel inside remains unaffected.
3.Raceme blight - Small brown spots on flower petals which spread to racemes (flower stalks); infection may affect small flower buds, florets and rachis; racemes turning black and dying; entire raceme may become blighted within a few days; necrotic flowers remain on tree and become covered in fuzzy gray fungal growth.
4.Macadamia but borer - Entry holes in husks of nuts, usually close to the panicle; holes usually have insect frass protruding from them and husks may have shallow, dimple-like depressions; infested nuts drop from tree prematurely; insect eggs are scale-like and are laid on the surfaces of green husks; larvae are legless grubs which are pinkish in color when mature with dark green spots; adult insect is a red-brown moth.
5.Rats - Extensive loss and damage of developing nuts or nuts that have dropped from tree; nuts have holes approximately 1 cm in diameter gnawed through shell to gain access to kernels.
6.Tropical nut borer - Numerous round holes approximately 0.5 mm in diameter on husks; extensive tunnelling through husk and shell visible when nut is cut open; in late stage infestations the entire kernel may be consumed.
7.Slow and quick tree decline - Yellowing or browning of some leaves in the tree canopy; subtle change in color of tree canopy from dark to light green; entire tree turning brown; in final stages of disease, whole tree is brown and distinct from green trees around it; tree death may occur in a few months after initial symptoms have appeared.
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| Macadamia fruits |
Macadamia health benefits
-Macadamia nuts have sweet taste and are rich source of energy. 100 g of nuts provide about 718 calorie/100 g, which is one of the highest calorific values among nuts.
-These nuts are packed with numerous health-benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health and wellness.
-100 g of macadamia provides 8.6 g or 23% of daily-recommended levels of dietary fiber. Additionally, they are a very good source of phytosterols such as ß-sitosterol. However, the nuts carry no cholesterol.
-Since macadamia is free from gluten, it is one of the popular ingredients in the preparation of gluten-free food formulas. Such formula preparations are a healthy alternative in patients with wheat gluten allergy andceliac disease.
-Macadamia nuts have sweet taste and are rich source of energy. 100 g of nuts provide about 718 calorie/100 g, which is one of the highest calorific values among nuts.
-These nuts are packed with numerous health-benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health and wellness.
-100 g of macadamia provides 8.6 g or 23% of daily-recommended levels of dietary fiber. Additionally, they are a very good source of phytosterols such as ß-sitosterol. However, the nuts carry no cholesterol.
-Since macadamia is free from gluten, it is one of the popular ingredients in the preparation of gluten-free food formulas. Such formula preparations are a healthy alternative in patients with wheat gluten allergy andceliac disease.
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| Macadamia trees |
-The nuts are rich source of mono-unsaturated fatty (MUF) like oleic acid (18:1) and palmitoleic acids (16:1). Studies suggest that MUF fats in the diet help lower total as well as LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels in the blood. The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fiber, MUF fats and antioxidants work favorably in maintaining healthy blood lipid profile and thus offer protection from coronary artery disease and strokes.
-Macadamias are an excellent source of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc. 100 g nuts provide 3.6 µg of selenium.
-Furthermore, the nuts are also rich in many important B-complex vitamins that are vital for metabolic functions. 100 g of nuts provide 15% of niacin, 21% of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), 100% of thiamin, and 12% of riboflavin.
-They contain small amounts of vitamin-A, and vitamin E. Both these fat-soluble vitamins possess potent anti-oxidant activities, which serve to protect cell membranes and DNA damage from harmful oxygen-free radicals.
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