We ’ve already discussedhow to raise and care for the two types of edible macadamia , the smooth - shelled Queensland diversity , M. integrifolia , and the rough - shelledM. tetraphylla .
Native to Australia , they grow well in plate garden inUSDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 .
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In this pathfinder , we focus on harvest home . You will learn when testicle ripen , what they look like , and how to gather your craw . Here ’s what ’s to come :
What You Will Learn
lease ’s get started !
Forbearance and Fruit Formation
Macadamia finish loosely begins with a vegetatively propagated plant from a reputable nursery .
The mean cultivar lives from 40 to 60 years . It begins to set yield at six or seven year one-time . By the old age of 10 or so , it hand adulthood and produces a 30- to 50- pound sign takings . Over the row of its life history , the return generally increase .
But set to be astonied , because some remarkable statistic have been document . Onetree in Coronado , Californiaproduced 270 lb of nut in one year , andanother in Queensland , Australiais still alive at the good honest-to-god years of 140 .
That ’s a long sentence , and a slew of nuts , so rent ’s discover out when and how to harvest them all !
Signs that Signal Readiness
The fruiting time of year for macadamia begins in former autumn and continues through leaping . The time to ripen varies by cultivar , but all variety bear fruit ceaselessly during their fruiting menstruation , as match to all at once .
It ’s not hard to tell when macadamia tree are mature . Their stubble begin to dry out out , lose their tackiness , and gradually modify from bright green to brown . They shrink and break open , their tear edge turn brown , and the brown nut inside becomes seeable .
There are form like ‘ Cate , ’ ‘ James , ’ and ‘ Vista ’ that “ ego - harvest , ” and drop good yield . This makes the job easy . Some people like to leave a tarpaulin under them to collect their crop . I ’m not a rooter , as it may gather rainwater , moulder your harvest , and damage the lawn below .
Instead , confabulate the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or trees each Clarence Shepard Day Jr. to reap what has dropped . Be sure to bump off all fallen fruit , to keep hungry rodents out . Once gathered , move out the husks . Evaluate the shell within , and discard any that await moldy or damage .
You may be tempted to shake the tree to loosen nuts , but do n’t . macadamia tree branches are on the brittle side , and you may wound them . In addition , unripe junky may fall .
For cultivar that do n’t drop yield , you ’ll need to judge their readiness .
If they appear as described , place a tarp temporarily beneath the tree . utilise a long magnetic pole to softly exploit the branches ( no quivering ) and release ripe crackpot . Some branches may bear a single fruit , while others may concord multiples in clusters .
When you ’re through , put the tarpaulin away for next time .
You could use a fruit - picking tool with a basket on the conclusion , but I do n’t recommend it . You may unwittingly catch it on unripe fruit , causing it to fall .
Reaping the Rewards
When a beautiful tree diagram like the macadamia produces an abundance of nuts , it ’s unfeignedly a wad to lay eyes on – and a mess to scavenge up !
Take the deflection out of conglomerate your harvest with useful tools , such as the Garden Weasel Large Nut Gatherer . just roll it along to conglomerate your harvest and slither the wire coop spreader to release it .
Garden Weasel Large Nut Gatherer
The handgrip is atomic number 6 steel welded with a comfortableness hand grip , and the wire cage is made of tempered steel . A lifespan warrant is included . you may buy this intersection now on Amazon .
Or , go all out with Bag - A - Nut ’s 18 - inch Push Harvester . broom your craw up as you crusade , collect it in a obliterable basket .
18″ Push Sweet Gum Balls , English Walnut and Macadamia Harvester
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Gather your harvest time often , especially in damp conditions , so it does n’t decompose or attract gnawer .
Each time you pull in a wise batch , remove the husks immediately . Place the brownish - racing shell orchis on conducting wire racks in a cool , ironic place to dry out for two to three week . As they dry , the nutmeats , or essence , shrink by from the shell , and will come out easily when break .
Macadamia shells are very strong to crack up , so be prepared to do the job with a hammer or bench vise . Use kernels like a shot , store , or freeze .
Making the Most of Macadamia
Knowing when and how to harvest will go a foresighted path toward optimal termination .
To recap , macadamia are ready to harvest when :
And remember to :
A macadamia tree is n’t just another pretty face in the landscape . When it reaches due date , it yields an abundance of angelic , creamy nuts that demand a king ’s ransom on the market place today .
If you ’re in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 , I in truth envy you ! I can only imagine being able to go out to the backyard to get fresh nuts for holiday baking .
Please read our former article , “ How to Grow and Care for a Macadamia Nut Tree , ” for all you need to know about topics include growing , maintain , cultivar selection , pests and disease , storage , and recipe . Then schedule a trip to your local nursery to choose a newfangled comestible addition to your property !
© require the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Product photos via Garden Weasel and Bag - A - testis . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Nan Schiller
