A detailed guide to macadamia nut cultivation techniques: mastering the key points of planting and management

To grow macadamia nuts, you need to choose suitable land; hills or flatland below 1200 m in elevation is most suitable. Then select high-quality varieties and arrange planting; planting should avoid the dry, rainy and high-temperature seasons. Routine management is carried out according to the different growth stages of the macadamia; remember that it must not lack water.

Macadamia Cultivation Techniques

1. Site selection

Macadamia is a high-grade tropical and subtropical economic crop with strong adaptability. It is suitable for planting on hills or flatland below 1200 m in elevation. The requirements are: the maximum summer temperature generally not exceeding 35°C, the maximum winter temperature not lower than 15°C, the minimum temperature not lower than 0°C, no frost all year round or only occasional light frost, deep soil rich in organic matter, a pH of 5.0 to 6.0, good drainage, and irrigation available when water is short in the dry season

2. Seed and variety selection

Good varieties are characterized by vigorous plant growth, wind resistance, drought tolerance, high yield, good quality, a well-balanced canopy, upright growth and thick, strong branches. In the full production period, the average yield per tree is 25 kg to more than 50 kg, the kernel size is medium, the kernel recovery rate is 30% to 50%, and first-grade kernels account for about 98%.

3. Planting

Planting should avoid the dry, rainy and high-temperature seasons; plant in the early or late rainy season to help the plants recover and grow. Planting density varies with soil conditions and variety type. Most macadamia varieties are largely self-incompatible, so varieties to be planted must be interplanted in combination (different varieties interplanted alternately in rows); at least two varieties must be paired in one plot.

4. Young tree management

After the seedlings are planted, water them frequently to keep the soil moist; after 2 months, apply fertilizer according to the growth of the seedlings. The principle is to apply frequently and lightly, mainly with water-soluble fertilizer;

5. Management of trees in production

Macadamia enters the production period in 4-5 years, and the tree consumes a large amount of nutrients. Each year, in conjunction with winter orchard cleaning, green manure is buried, and 20-30 kg of decomposed farmyard manure, 0.5 kg of phosphate fertilizer and 0.5 kg of lime are applied per tree; in May, 0.5-1.2 of compound fertilizer is applied per tree. As the tree age continues to increase, the amount of fertilizer applied also increases.