Macadamia tetraphylla
| Macadamia tetraphylla | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 33' |
| Width: | 33' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Macadamia tetraphylla (common name: queensland nut)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse[1]. The dehusked seed germinates quickly at 25°c[2]. The seed can also be sown in the spring in a warm greenhouse[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If trying them outdoors, give the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters.
Cultivars may be grafted.
Cultivation: Plants grow best in rich moist but well-drained soils and a position in full sun[3]. They require copious summer watering in their early stages[4]. Mature plants need at least 1250mm of rainfall equally distributed throughout the year and a mild frost-free climate[3]. Trees require a sheltered position and are easily damaged by strong winds[3][2].
Plants can be grown in climates cooler than their native habitat, but they are not very hardy in Britain. They produce fruit in Australia when growing at least as far south as Sydney[5]. They can survive slight frosts[2] and have succeeded outdoors in the Scilly Isles[6]. Growth is optimal between temperatures of 20 - 25°c, ceasing when they fall below 10°c or rise above 30°c[2]. Cold weather can result in the loss of the entire crop[2].
The macadamia nut is cultivated for its edible seed in many tropical and sub-tropical areas[4], there are some named varieties[4][7]. Plants are slow growing in cultivation, seedlings take 6 - 7 years to produce their first fruit[3][4]. The trees then produce commercial crops for about 40 - 50 years and can fruit for up to 100 years[2]. Plants are self-fertile but yield better if cross-pollinated[3].
Pruning is not normally necessary, but is tolerated if carried out in the autumn[1].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.
Habitat: In or near rainforests[4].
Edibility: Seed - raw or cooked[8][9][10]. Pleasantly flavoured and nutritious[6][11]. They can be eaten as a dessert nut and can also be ground into a flour and then mixed with cereal flours to enrich the protein content. The shell is very hard, making it difficult to extract the seed[12].
The seed contains up to 72% of a high grade oil[13].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Rosengarten Jr., Frederic. The Book of Edible Nuts. Dover, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.
- ↑ Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins, 1981.