how to grow nutmeg from seed

Collect two to three healthy nutmeg seeds that have recently fallen from their parent tree. Nutmeg trees grow best on tropical, humid islands with sandy soil. When ripe, the fruit splits to reveal a hard brown kernel covered in lacy red aril, which is dried and used to make the spices nutmeg and mace, respectively. Spread a 2- to 4-inch-layer of rotted manure over the planting site with a rake. Crop establishment. Myristica fragrans (fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit: nutmeg, from its seed, and mace, from the seed covering.It is also a commercial source of an essential oil and nutmeg butter. Farmers usually use its darker brown seeds for propagation, since the darker the nutmeg, the better its quality. Nutmeg is harvested through out the year in South India. Transplant your nutmeg tree into larger pots as it grows before planting outdoors. Keep it in an airtight container in a cool and dry place, away from sunlight, to ensure that it lasts a long time. You'll need to live in a very warm area, however, or be willing to help indoor plants with pollination. For a light dusting on top of a cold or warm drink, hold the grater above a cup and use shorter motions. It's generally best to start your seedling indoors but then plant the tree in an outdoor garden. Which part of the nutmeg do you use - its center or just the hard outer shell? Myristica fragrans, more commonly known as nutmeg, is an attractive evergreen tree native to the Spice Islands. Description. Press each seed down into the soil and inch (2.5 cm.) Seeds are now available at our seed store. unlocking this staff-researched answer. Moisture. Reposition the cloth as the nutmeg grows, keeping it approximately 2 feet above the top of the plant. Soil Requirements. There are many ways to germinate seeds (in soil, in a wet paper towel, in starter plugs) You can also sow them directly into the soil in a garden or container, as long as the soil is light and fluffy, so the roots can easily grow down and the stalk can break through the soil. Nutmeg, tropical evergreen tree (family Myristicaceae) and the spice made from its seeds. They should be sown into well-drained, sandy compost at any time of the year, and covered to their own depth with sand or grit. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Seeds are used for planting. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You'll need to live in a very warm area, however, or be willing to help indoor plants with pollination. You can even eat the peach-sized fresh fruit, which is often pickled. Water the seeds and place the container in a warm, sunny area. Work the amendments into the soil to a depth of at least 4 inches using a garden tiller, shovel or hand trowel. Nutmeg is the seed of an evergreen plant that grows in Asia, Australasia and the Caribbean. [1] Mattingly-Arthur is studying travel and tourism through Penn Foster Career School. Dec 21, 2016 - If you want to enjoy nutmeg at its freshest, you can grow your own nutmeg tree from seed. LOL. It's generally best to start your seedling indoors but then plant the tree in an outdoor garden. Grating fresh nutmeg off the seed will impart a stronger, fresher smell and flavor to your recipes. What Is Required to Grow Nutmeg? Dec 13, 2014 - If you want to enjoy nutmeg at its freshest, you can grow your own nutmeg tree from seed. Back then, she used dried, pre-packaged nutmeg purchased from the grocers. The smell of nutmeg would permeate my Grandmothers entire house when she went on a holiday baking frenzy. Skilled workers delicately remove the crimson veil … Allow 1 foot of space between each seed. Push the collected fresh nutmeg seeds into the amended soil to a depth of no more than 2 inches. If no seeds germinate, start the process over from the beginning. Verify that the location is warm enough. This article has been viewed 94,103 times. You'll need to live in a very warm area, however, or be willing to help indoor plants with pollination. Trade Winds Fruit: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Nutmeg Cultivation. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 94,103 times. These seeds are taken from the fruits that have split open. Myristica fragrans, more commonly known as nutmeg, is an attractive evergreen tree native to the Spice Islands. Not all of the nutmeg seeds you plant will germinate successfully. Nutmeg’s seeds are necessary for its propagation. You'll need to live in a very warm area, however, or be willing to help indoor plants with pollination. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Support wikiHow by Today, I use a rasp and grate my own and the powerful aroma still takes me back to Grandmas house, baking with her. Grating fresh nutmeg off the seed will impart a stronger, fresher smell and flavor to your recipes. Nutmeg is a tropical tree that must be grown outdoors, so it requires a hot, humid climate. This culinary spice is also used in perfumes and as a medicinal plant. A whole nutmeg in its shell can last up to 9 years, while grated nutmeg may have a shelf life of a year or less. down into the soil. April 25, 2012 . It is used mainly in sweets and mace in spicy dishes. Water the newly planted nutmeg seeds to encourage them to germinate. While it's native to Indonesia, it's possible to grow a nutmeg tree in other areas if the climate is warm enough. Hardiness. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Most nutmegs are grown on hillsides and in most nutmeg growing areas the soils are either Capitol or Belmont Clay loam. No artificial heat is needed; the seed tray … X If more than the desired number of seeds germinate successfully, weed out the weakest seedlings. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Position the shade cloth 2 feet above the ground. Allow 1 foot of space between each seed. The Spice House’s premium nutmeg and mace come from the Caribbean island of Grenada, where it is still harvested by hand. All of this seed can be used once grated, both the outer and inner parts. This article has been viewed 94,103 times. Did you know you can read answers researched by wikiHow Staff? Canadian Seed Catalogues and Companies. The fleshy arils surrounding the nutmeg seed are the source of the spice mace. Last Updated: October 14, 2019 Ideally, it requires an average temperature between 77°F and 95°F (25°C and 35°C). It helps prevent gas and fermentation and is … Keep well watered, and it should take up to 30 days for germination to occur. As a side note: there is a native tree growing in Marin called California nutmeg, Torreya californica. Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus Myristica. It's generally best to start your seedling indoors but then plant the tree in an outdoor garden. Learn more... Nutmeg is the seed of an evergreen plant that grows in Asia, Australasia and the Caribbean. The nutmeg plant requires well drained soil with good water retention properties but no water logging. Jun 6, 2017 - If you want to enjoy nutmeg at its freshest, you can grow your own nutmeg tree from seed. This video is about How to Grow Date Palms from Seed from Dates that you have bought at the grocery store! Prune damaged, diseased or dead branches from the tree in the spring, if needed. Below are some seed companies from across Canada. In order to grow, nutmeg shouldn’t be planted in locations with a minimum temperature below 30°F (-1°C). Clear the planting site of weeds, rocks, plants and debris. Water once a week or when the soil feels dry 1 ½ inches (4 cm.) Usually, however, the fruits remain about the size of an extra-large grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi, USDA zones 9 through 11). A fully-grown tree under normal conditions may … If you don't have access to this type of zester, use a nutmeg grater or a small zester. Growing Environment. Shade your tree for the first six to seven years of growth, after which the tree can receive unfiltered sunlight. Nutmeg trees are prized for the yellow-skinned oval fruits they produce. Continue to provide your nutmeg with supplemental irrigation as often as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. Sheltered valleys and leeward slopes are best for growing Nutmeg. Older Tree Care. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Grate-Nutmeg-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Grate-Nutmeg-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Grate-Nutmeg-Step-1.jpg\/aid4712668-v4-728px-Grate-Nutmeg-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"