Planting
The seedbed
Clear the seedbed before ploughing and harrowing it to a fine tilth. Seedbeds should be 10–20 cm high, 1 m wide and 2 m long with 1 m between beds.
Slice off the small part of the top of the husk to help retain moisture in the husk during watering and to encourage germination.
Plant nuts close to one another and cover them with soil, with about two-thirds of their size buried to prevent them from floating in case of heavy rains.
Maintain seedbeds with daily watering and partial shading, and inspect for disease and pest incidence.
When the sprout emerges through the husk to a height of 4–6 cm, trim seedlings of any injured roots and plant in polybags filled with appropriate soil–manure mixture.
A polybag nursery. (photo: ML George)
The polybag nursery