Almond, one of the most popular dry fruits having energy boosting properties is grown worldwide, but mostly in south and middle east part of Asia. It contains protein, minerals, fiber, vitamins, magnesium. It is good for our skin also. It reduce blood sugar level, cholesterol and blood pressure. It can reduce hunger and promote weight loss also.
India ranks 3rd in the import and consumption of almond. India imports 98% of almond from USA, Iran and Afghanistan. In our country, cultivation is mainly done in hilly parts of colder regions, mainly in Jammu Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala and hilly regions of Andhra Pradesh.
Almond is one of the most liked nuts. But they are quite expensive to buy. So you can grow an almond plant in your. kitchen garden. Many of you may not be aware that most almond grow from the seed. Seed-grown almonds give fruit after a long time whereas graft almond plant start to bear fruits in the second year. In hot climate, almonds can be easily grown. As it happens in many fruit tress, almond trees grown from seed many not bear fruits for whole life time Besides, we have to plant at the same yard at least two different and compatible fruit bearing varieties. But since , you want to feel the joy of growing your own tree from seed, let’s start.
The first thing we have to do is to search for natural fresh seeds. They must be untreated, unheated, unroasted and unsalted seeds. Once we find the seeds, we have to select at least 10 of them. Since only 50% or less will germinate. It takes ample time and patience to grow almond from seeds. If you are planting germinated seedlings, plant at the end of the winter or in the spring. The detailed information is given in the following video.
First we soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Now wrap these seeds in tissue paper and spray some water. Keep these seeds in an air tight container . Then keep these container in refrigerator for next 25-30 days. It will take at least 20 days for the germination process to start. After this process start , carefully separate seeds from the tissue paper. Then apply these sprouted seeds to the cocopeat. It will take 40 days to form a small plant. Avoid giving excess water. After three months you can plant these plants in the ground.
