1. Description
Common Names: Cashew, Grafted Cashew Nut
Scientific Name: Anacardium occidentale
Overview:
Grafted cashew trees are propagated through grafting techniques to ensure early fruiting, uniform quality, and high yield. They are preferred over seed-grown trees due to their faster and more reliable production.
Fruit Description:
- Cashew nuts grow at the end of the cashew apple (a fleshy, juicy part)
- The apple is edible (used for juices), and the nut is processed after harvest
- Nut has a kidney shape and is enclosed in a hard shell with toxic resin (needs proper processing)
2. How to Plant
- Propagation: Grafted saplings from a nursery
- Soil: Well-drained sandy loam or red soil; avoid waterlogging
- Planting Season: Monsoon (June–July) or just before it (May)
- Spacing: 7 x 7 meters (can vary by variety)
- Planting Steps:
- Dig a pit (45x45x45 cm)
- Fill with compost + topsoil
- Place grafted sapling carefully (don’t bury the graft joint)
- Water gently
3. Plant Size
- Height: 4 to 6 meters for grafted plants (can be pruned and kept smaller)
- Canopy Spread: 3–5 meters with proper pruning
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast under full sun and good care
4. Fruiting Time
- First Fruiting: 2.5 to 3 years (grafted plants)
- Peak Production: 5th to 15th year
- Harvest Season:
- Flowers appear in December–January
- Fruits mature by February–May
5. Plant Type
- Type: Perennial fruit and nut tree
- Climate: Prefers tropical and warm coastal climates
- Lifespan: 20+ years of nut production
6. Caring Tips
Sunlight:
- Needs full sunlight (minimum 6–8 hours/day)
Watering:
- Young plants: Regular watering during the first year
- Mature trees: Drought-resistant; water during flowering and fruiting season
Soil:
- Ensure well-drained soil
- Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged soils
Fertilizer:
- Apply organic compost during monsoon
- NPK 15:15:15 or cashew-specific mix can be applied twice a year
Pruning:
- Light pruning after harvest to shape tree and improve air circulation
- Remove dead/diseased branches regularly
Pest Control:
- Watch for tea mosquito bug, stem borers
- Use neem oil or mild pesticides
- Apply Bordeaux mixture as preventive spray
