Although tamarinds (Tamarindus indica) tend to grow into large, sturdy trees planted in the ground, you can grow them in containers. Learn all about propagating and growing potted tamarind to enjoy its fresh and tasty fruits at home.
Contents
How to propagate tamarind
from seeds
Summer is the best time to grow tamarind from seed. Rinse the seeds with water and plant them in a well-drained growing medium. Water thoroughly and place the pot in a place where it gets bright, indirect light. The seeds will germinate in 2 to 4 weeks.
Keep in mind that growing tamarind from seed is a long process, and the plant will bear fruit after 6-8 years.
from cuttings
Take a cutting 15 cm long from a healthy branch. Dip the end in rooting hormone (optional) and plant it in a pot filled with a 50/50 mix of soil, compost and sand, if you only have soil you can do it anyway.
Water well and place the pot where it receives bright, indirect light. The cutting will root in 4-8 weeks.
Advice: For faster fruiting, it’s always a good idea to get a well-grafted plant from a nursery.
Ideal pot size for growing tamarind
For growing tamarind in pots, choose a large and light container (20 to 60 liters.
First fill 25% of the pot with a layer of gravel to keep the roots cool and avoid contact with the ground.
Then fill 25% of the container with a layer of small pebbles. Then fill 25% of the container with coco peat and the rest with river sand, compost and organic manure.
You can start the plant in a slightly smaller pot than the one just shown, but then you will need to transplant it to a larger pot as it grows. Make sure the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom.
Ideal conditions for growing tamarind in pots
Position
Tamarind comes from the warm African continent, and it is best to imitate the original conditions of the plant.
Keep the jar in a location that receives direct sun all day. The more light it receives, the better its growth will be.
Usually I
Tamarind trees like sandy, slightly acidic, well-drained soils, although they can grow in a variety of soil types, from coarse to clay.
For best results when growing tamarind in a pot, you can use perlite or a sandy soil mix and add 30-40% organic compost.
If you live in a drier or tropical climate, you can add mulch such as coco peat moss, wood chips, or leaf litter to the soil. This will help keep the soil temperature cooler.
Temperature
The tree does best in temperatures between 15 and 45°C. Keep the plant away from the dangers of frost and bring it indoors if the temperature drops too low in your area.
Potted Tamarind Care
Irrigation
If your tamarind is still young, you need to water it quite often and remember to keep the soil evenly moist.
Once established, water only when the top layer of soil feels slightly dry to the touch.
Pass
Tamarind doesn’t need a lot of feeding, but it would be good to feed a young plant once every 4-5 weeks using NPK 6-6-3 liquid fertilizer diluted halfway.
Continue feeding it once a month until it achieves good growth. Avoid feeding it in winter.
Once established, you can feed occasionally using an 8-3-9 mix to stimulate growth.
You can also use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer as a foliar spray.
Cut
Occasionally prune damaged, dead or diseased branches. If the tree is grown in a container, it is advisable to control the growth of the upper part, as it tends to be heavy.
When pruning the tops, be sure to do it in the spring or early summer, these are good times to shape the young branches into a specific shape or direction to your liking.
winter care
When the outside temperature drops below 8°C, bring the plant indoors and keep it in a warm place.
Place it near a window where it will receive a minimum of 4-5 hours of sun and heat. Make sure the leaves are not touching the window glass and away from the air conditioning vent.
Plagues and diseases
Beware of caterpillars, scale insects and borers. You can keep them away by using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
To keep most potential diseases at bay, make sure the plant gets plenty of sun and avoid overwatering.
Also, keep the pot in a ventilated place where it has good air circulation.
tamarind harvest
The tree will begin to bear fruit 4-5 years after planting and will be ready to harvest from winter to summer.
Once the pods have taken on a vibrant brown hue, you can pick a few, taste them, and harvest them or leave them to ripen further on the tree.
The pods will remain on the tree, losing up to 60-80% of their moisture content.
If you want to make fresh jellies and jams, pick the pods when they are soft and golden brown. Twist them and gently separate them from the stem, being careful not to damage the plant.
You can also gently shake the main branch of the tree for the ripest pods to drop.
Tamarind Uses
Tamarind tastes best when eaten raw. It can also be used to make juices, sauces, jams, drinks and syrups.
It may also be interesting to read: How to grow Nispero in a pot and all its care
Its pulp is a popular ingredient in many South Asian cuisines and curry recipes.
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