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We want to grow mac nuts to add to our parrots' diet.
We are looking to have one tree but are willing to start more if there is a high failure rate. I did some rudimentary internet research but always prefer the input of neighbors who are actually growing them. Some questions:
Are they self pollinating or do we need M/F trees?
Somebody told me to get a grafted tree, but I've never seen one for sale. What's the truth? Where to get trees as opposed to starting from seed?
How long before we get nuts?
Is there a specific type/variety/hybrid I should be looking for? We are at about 840 feet and the land is a ripped tree orchard. There is a mac nut farm on our street so they must do well here but I've never seen anybody there to ask advice.
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If the mac nuts are for your parrots, I don't think you need to worry about getting a grafted tree. They probably won't be as choosy about their nuts compared to a commercial growers. I also have never seen grafted trees unfortunately, so I just settled for a couple grown from seed. I think it can take 7 years for seed grown. I do believe you need at least two trees for pollination, but if you're neighbors have trees, that might not be an issue.
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There are highland and lowland varietals of macnut; I forget the altitude threshold.
When it comes to fruit trees of any kind, I ask Arman, the nice guy with all the citrus trees at the front corner of Makuu -- if he doesn't have it, he usually knows where to get it.
http://pokifruits.com
Be warned: pigs love macnut...
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Mauna loa macnuts has trees for sale. Mine cost $10 each a couple of years back for very large 5 gallon size plants that were over 6 feet tall. Just drive down their street off of hwy 11 until you see some structures and ask them about buying some trees.
-Veritas odium parit”(Terence 195–159 BC))-"Truth begets hatred".
-Veritas odium parit”(Terence 195–159 BC))-"Truth begets hatred".
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Two of my trees died about 20 years ago, but he one remaining is loaded with nuts. Not sure if it pollinated itself or if one of my neighbor's has some.
Yes, the pigs love them, but the same can be said about Guava, Lilikoi, Mango etc. Dogs are a great deterrent!
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Any idea why the two trees died?
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It was back in the olden days before I had the land all hand cleared, and before we had a water tank out back. I just didn't haul enough water up the hill and I didn't know where the pukas were yet, so just plopped them in. The survivor just happened to get planted in a nice puka with some soil and compost.
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quote:
Originally posted by Cagary
Mauna loa macnuts has trees for sale. Mine cost $10 each a couple of years back for very large 5 gallon size plants that were over 6 feet tall. Just drive down their street off of hwy 11 until you see some structures and ask them about buying some trees.
-Veritas odium parit”(Terence 195–159 BC))-"Truth begets hatred".
I went there and asked about buying trees and everybody looked at me like I was criminally insane. When I asked polite follow-up questions trying to illicit a vocal response from somebody (anybody) they started talking amongst themselves and ignoring me like I was invisible. It was a surreal experience and I think that place is haunted.
Any other suggestions?
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We got ours at Plant It Hawaii. I think it's grafted, it had a number designation that I can't recall.
According to Permacopia book II:
grafted trees fruit in 3-5 years, seedlings take about 10 years. Faster in warm, moist conditions.
Monoecious; partly self-fertile, but cross pollination encourages more prolific nut set. Some varieties are self-fertile and some are not, but still can produce plenty of nuts.
Pollination by insects.
She also recommends the Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association
http://www.hawaiimacnut.org/ and the International Tree Nut Council at http:/www.treenuts.org
edited because neither link in the book worked, but I corrected the mac nut assn link. The other group seems to be about nutrition now.
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Thanks for the info. I'll try to look for grafted trees.
