Cashew grows easily either in pots / containers or in the ground. There are so many varieties of Cashew with variations in fruit size and color. Cashews are healthy fruits packed with healthy nutrients and the nuts from the seeds are very delicious.
Planting Environment
Cashew can be planted in pots /containers or in the ground
Planting Materials
Cashew should be planted as Air layered seedlings or grafted seedlings, propagated from mature plants, this is to ensure that you get seedlings that will bear fruit within 2 years and also seedlings that will have the same characteristics as the parent tree.
Soil Types
Cashew require soils that drains well and also rich in organic matter, loamy soil is a very good example. Cashew that will be planted in pots or containers need soils that drains very well. Planting Cashew in pots or containers using a soil that drains poorly will cause the plant to be stunted or cause the plants to die. Excess water retention in soil inside containers or pots with plants is totally undesirable to plants.
Sunlight Requirement
Cashew requires full sunlight hours of at least 8 hours a day, if your Cashew tree is not getting enough sunlight daily, the tree will not produce many fruits. Before you plant your Cashew tree in the ground, you need to ensure that tree will experience at least 8 hours of full sunlight.
Fertilizer and Nutrient Requirements
Cashew requires fertilizers that contains Macro and micro nutrients. The best fertilizers for Cashew are either organic fertilizers like Chicken Manure or in organic fertilizers that has all the Macro and Micronutrients. If your Cashew is planted in a pot only apply organic fertilizers to the soil and in-organic fertilizers as a foliar spray on the leaves. Apply chicken manure (ensure its well composted) every 4 weeks and also apply a foliar fertilizer with Macro and micro nutrients every 4 weeks too. For Cashew planted in containers, ensure you water them daily (Depends on the weather). Ensure that your Cashew tree does not experience insufficient water, lack of water or not enough water for your Cashew tree will induce Calcium deficiency which will lead to a stunted tree and low fruit productivity.
Pest & Disease management
Cashew are regularly infected by insects as well as fungal diseases. Common pests that attack Cashew are Thrips, leaf miners, Scale insects and Mealybugs.
Organic Pesticides like neem oil and insecticidal soaps can be used however this will not kill the pests rather it simply chases them away for a brief period. In-organic pesticides are the only solution towards killing the insects, their eggs and larvae. Pesticides should be applied once a month to prevent infestation.
Cashew are also regularly infected by fungi most especially during the raining season where the splashing of water and the damp atmosphere makes it easy for fungal spores to be spread. Common Fungal diseases of Cashew are Anthracnose, leaf spots and bacterial blight
Neem oil should be sprayed every 2 weeks during the fruiting season to prevent Anthracnose.
Organic fungicide like neem oil helps to prevent Anthracnose, however In-organic fungicides are the best choice since they have both preventive and curative capabilities. Fungicides should be applied every 2 weeks to 3 weeks During the rainy season applying fungicides every 2 weeks will prevent infection from Fungi.
Time to Fruiting
Cashew grown by seed takes about 4 to 5 years before they start bearing fruits. Also, commercial harvest from seed grown Cashew occurs in the 5th year.
Cashew grown by air layering, and grafting takes about 2 years before they start bearing fruits. Commercial harvest from trees grown from air layering and grafting occurs in the 3rd year.
Cashew trees are self-pollinating which means you do not need another tree for pollination.
Harvesting of Fruits
It usually takes about 2 months from flowering to harvesting. Cashew fruits generally have a short shelf life of few days.
