Katkin, congrats!! Mine is doing fine. They sure are cute babies!

Also, the Canistels and White Sapotes have sprouted. Growing from seeds is fun!

Lisa

I'll let Audrey know we're all having fun with the cashews.
She started hers from a seed too.
They grow so fast! The first few sprouted like volcanos and one even has branches already. The next few took a bit more time, but all have sprouted. Looks like I'll have some for swaps.
A sapodilla has been growing well too.

OK, I picked up a seed from David's but don't know what it is? A little bigger than a butter bean and didn't know how to start it. It was on the little table in the dining room on a plate. I think it was a cashews.
How did you start yours?

Wanda, I just layed the seed on its side in a 1 gallon pot of soil, covering it with an inch of potting mix. It sprouted rapidly and is thriving. I kept it well watered, and outside in partial sun.

**Don't** attempt to score or open the seed. It contains a caustic oil.

Good luck! They are lovely trees and the fruit is so odd!

Lisa

I thought cashews needed cold weather?

Nope, they will die if it gets too cold. They will be damaged at 32-30 degrees. I'll have to protect mine, here in Northern PB county. Audrey's tree in east Jupiter is well shielded by fencing, other plants, and houses.

They are very attractive, with red new growth. The fruit smells very strange, and feels odd (sweaty), but I sure like the plant!

Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Cashew info

Thanks Lisa!
The bean was big and hard so I thought you might have to score it, glad you told me that!

I didn't get the seeds to the canistel or sapote, maybe I should have.

Katkin, I have at least 10 Canistel seedlings, and 2 White Sapotes(SueBelle). The man at Excalibur says White Sapotes can fruit in 2 years! I'd be happy to share. Did you like the fruits? Everyone except Ricky liked the White Sapote, but fewer people liked the Canistel. Canistel is that gorgeous yellow fruit with the odd texture. It is supposed to make superb milkshakes.

I get such a kick out of growing unusual fruits! I just finished watering and admiring the Buddha's Hand Citrons, Kaffir Lime, Star Apples, Cashews, and the gazzilion (not really) Figs, Dragonfruits and Poms.

My Black Sapote (Chocolate Pudding Tree) is blooming again! Hopefully it will hold fruits this time. Katkin, I think you would love that one!

Lisa

Katkin, I have at least 10 Canistel seedlings, and 2 White Sapotes(SueBelle). The man at Excalibur says White Sapotes can fruit in 2 years! I'd be happy to share. Did you like the fruits? Everyone except Ricky liked the White Sapote, but fewer people liked the Canistel. Canistel is that gorgeous yellow fruit with the odd texture. It is supposed to make superb milkshakes.

I get such a kick out of growing unusual fruits! I just finished watering and admiring the Buddha's Hand Citrons, Kaffir Lime, Star Apples, Cashews, and the gazzilion (not really) Figs, Dragonfruits and Poms.

My Black Sapote (Chocolate Pudding Tree) is blooming again! Hopefully it will hold fruits this time. Katkin, I think you would love that one!

Lisa

The week before the "play date" I was at Treefrogs and he gave new a cashew seed. I forgot all about it until this post and wondered what I'd done with it thought maybe I left it on the kitchen table at TF's. Lo and behold I found it thumping around in the dryer yesterday! I'm going to plant it this afternoon. Thanks for the planting tip Lisa.

Yes, Lisa I would love to try them. I love growing from seeds or seedlings too. Just let me know and I'll come and get them. ;o)

Lisa, you describe the cashew fruit perfectly 'The fruit smells very strange, and feels odd (sweaty)'.

I was going to give one a shot till I smelled it..... shewwww! I couldnt wait to wash my hands and burn my clothes!

It sure was a good looker though!

An odd fruit indeed.
They are edible, so I've tried them. (yes, more than once)
They have the flavor of a Surinam cherry, but they're much larger, meaning you get a lot more of that astringent taste in your mouth.
And when you've finally had enough chewing on it you're left with what I can only describe as a wet rag in your mouth.

However if you have a miracle fruit with it, the flavor is really nice. Go figure!

Cashew apples are highly variable, there are supposed to be some which taste quite good. Never had one myself.

I never heard white sapote fruiting in such a short time, I've read accounts quite the opposite, they're also highly variable in fruit quality from seed. That'll be great if they do, let us know.

Gary