Cashew - Red-fruited (Anacardium occidentale "Red Fruit") | seeds, 3 pcs.

VERY RARE | RED VARIANT OF CASHEW NUT

• Latin name: Anacardium occidentale "Red Fruit"
• Danish names: Cashewtræ, Cashewnød, rød cashew
• English names: Cashew tree, red fruited cashew

Anacardium occidentale ‘Red Fruit’ is a decorative variant of the classic cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale). The ‘Red Fruit’ variant is selected for its bright red to reddish-orange cashew apples, which give the plant an extra decorative and exotic appearance compared to the more yellow or orange forms.

The plant develops as a low, wide-crowned tree or a sturdy shrub with thick, glossy, and leathery leaves. During the flowering period, small, cream-colored to pink flowers are formed, which later develop into the characteristic cashew fruits. What is often perceived as the fruit itself (the cashew apple) is actually a swollen fruit stalk, while the true nut sits on the outside in a hard shell.

Cultivation and requirements

Anacardium occidentale ‘Red Fruit’ thrives best in full sun and prefers:

• well-drained, preferably slightly sandy soil
• warm and dry to moderately moist conditions
• good air circulation

The plant is not frost-tolerant and in Denmark it is grown as a potted plant, which can be kept outdoors during the summer months and overwintered in a bright, frost-free location. The temperature should preferably be kept above 12–15 °C.

Cashew trees are relatively drought-tolerant once established, but young plants benefit from regular watering.

Cultivation from seed

Cashew seeds are large and germinate best when they are fresh. For the best results, it is recommended to:

• slightly abrade the seeds on a stone or with sandpaper
• soak in lukewarm water for 24–48 hours
• sow in a well-drained soil mix
• maintain a temperature of 22–30 °C
• keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet

Germination often occurs within 2–4 weeks. Seedlings grow relatively quickly in warm conditions and develop sturdy leaves and a robust trunk early on.

Utility and collector's value

Anacardium occidentale is an important utility plant globally. The cashew nut is one of the world's most popular nuts, while the cashew apple is used fresh, for juice, or for fermented products in tropical regions.

When grown from seed in Denmark, the plant is particularly interesting as an exotic ornamental and collector's plant, where the red fruits and tropical foliage make it an exciting addition to any collection.

It is important to note that the raw nut contains irritating substances in the shell and requires proper processing before consumption.

Anacardium occidentale ‘Red Fruit’ is an obvious choice for the plant enthusiast who wants to grow an exotic fruit tree right from seed – an exciting species with botanical distinctiveness, decorative fruits, and global significance.