Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) | seeds, 3 pcs.

REQUIRES WARMTH AND SUN | THE FAMOUS CASHEW NUT

• Latin name: Anacardium occidentale
• Danish names: Cashew, cashewnød
  
• English names: Cashew
  

Anacardium occidentale, better known as the cashew tree, is a tropical, evergreen utility plant with remarkable biology and economic importance. It originates from northeastern Brazil but is cultivated today throughout the tropical world for its unique fruits – where both the nut and the fruit pulp are used.

The tree has a low, wide canopy and often a crooked, branched growth habit. The leathery leaves are oval, dark green, and arranged in dense spirals. During the flowering period, Anacardium occidentale bears small, pink flowers in large clusters that attract pollinating insects.

After pollination, the eye-catching fruit is formed: a juicy, pear-shaped, yellow to red cashew apple, which is technically a swollen flower stalk – and underneath sits the actual fruit: a single, bean-shaped cashew nut, encased in a hard, toxic shell. It also exists in a rare red-fruited variety called Anacardium occidentale "Red Fruit".

Cultivation and requirements:
The cashew tree requires warmth, full sun, and well-drained, sandy to slightly acidic soil. It is drought-tolerant and adapted to warm coastal areas with seasonal rainfall. In Denmark, it cannot be grown outdoors, but is suitable for cultivation in a large pot in a greenhouse or conservatory with minimum temperatures of 15 °C. It should be overwintered in a bright, dry location, and watering should be reduced during the winter months.

The tree grows quickly in warm climates and can, under ideal conditions, bear fruit after 3–5 years.

Cultivation from seed:
Seeds are actually the unpeeled cashew nuts. They should be completely fresh (not roasted) and sown directly into warm, moist, and well-drained soil. Sowing depth: 2–3 cm. They require 25–30 °C to germinate, and germination typically occurs within 1–3 weeks, but can take several months. The seed should be placed horizontally for the best root development. Seedlings grow quickly and should be repotted as the roots develop.

- NOTE: The raw seed shell contains a caustic substance (cardol), related to that found in poison ivy. Therefore, handle the seeds with gloves on.

Utility:
The cashew nut is one of the world's most popular nuts – rich in healthy fatty acids, protein, and minerals. The cashew apple, which is often overlooked outside the producing countries, is juicy and aromatic and is used locally for juice, jam, and even fermented drinks. The seed shell is used industrially in lacquer, lubricants, and pesticides.

Anacardium occidentale is an exciting and productive utility plant for the tropical-enthusiast grower. With its double fruit and unique biology, it is both educational and beautiful – and a rare sight in home cultivation. A true gem for the dedicated collector of exotic plants.