Brazil nut, i.e. Brazil nut tree (lat. Bertholletia excelsa) comes from the family Lecythidaceae and is the only species in the monotypic genus Bertholletia. It was named after the French chemist Claude Louis Berthollet. The Brazil nut is a large evergreen tree that can grow 25 – 56 m in height. It is native to certain regions of the Amazon and can live longer than 500 years.
The bark of the tree is smooth and gray, and the leaves are deciduous. The flowers are produced in panicles where each flower has a two-part deciduous calyx, six cream-colored petals and a multitude of stamens formed into a hooded mass.
The fruits are unique in the Lecythidaceae family. When they are ripe, they are about 10 – 15 cm long, round and weigh up to 2.3 kg. It looks like a coconut. The fruits take about 14 months to ripen. Inside the hard, woody shell are 8 – 24 triangular shaped seeds – Brazil nuts. Nuts are actually hard shelled fruits like acorns.
However, in order to produce fruit, bees of the genera Bombus, Centris, Epicharis, Eulaema and Zylocopa must pollinate the flowers. These are large bees that are mostly missing in forest areas that have been disturbed by human activity. Because of this, Brazilian tree plantations were not very successful and natural cultivation proved to be a more reliable choice.
Types
The Brazil nut is the only species in the well-defined genus Bertholletia. Although there are some differences in size, shape and number of seeds per fruit, there is no reason to define more than one species of Bertholletia.
Brazil nut cultivation
Growing your own Brazil nuts takes patience, and while it’s difficult, it’s a rewarding endeavor. Brazil nuts must first be collected, as store-bought fruits will not be able to reproduce. Those fruits are already boiled, and boiling kills the seeds and renders them impotent.
They are grown in tropical botanical gardens far outside its native range, with smaller plantations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Ghana, Africa.
Matching cultures
The Brazil nut is an excellent candidate for mixed crops. Brazilian farmers in the eastern Amazon often plant it near cacao. In the Amazon, in its natural environment, an orchid grows under a Brazil nut tree that attracts a certain type of bee that pollinates the tree.
It is not recommended to plant with avocado or mango because they share similar diseases.
Watering
The Brazil nut tree likes rain and moisture. In the case of a lot of rainfall, you should make sure that the soil is not soaked with water too much, but that it dries freely. In the case of planting in a dry area, it is necessary to water it regularly several times a week and not to allow the soil to dry out completely.
Fertilization
Brazil nut trees need a balanced fertilizer, but they also require a lot of nitrogen. A granular fertilizer with a mixture of 20-10-10 is recommended, which is fed to the tree once in early spring and once in summer.
Propagation
Fresh seeds germinate quickly, often within 2 – 3 weeks, as long as some of the hard shell is cracked or carefully removed to allow moisture to enter. Otherwise, seeds sometimes need 2 years to germinate, while seedlings need a good amount of light to grow. Seedling trees get their first crop in a period of 14 – 20 years.
In the wild, it often happens that rodents like squirrels take Brazil nut seeds and bury them somewhere, which sometimes (thanks to favorable conditions) results in the plant germinating. Brazil nut trees mainly depend on natural or artificial reproduction conditions. For example, it can be found in glades of artificially created forests, forest gaps created by fallen trees or sprouting from damaged stem roots.
Trees take about 10 years to start reproducing, while a grafted sapling can start producing nuts within 4 years.
Transplantation
The roots of an adult Brazil nut grow deep into the ground, so transplanting is not recommended. In the case of planting in a container, when the seeds germinate, it is necessary to carefully remove the outer shell. Once the raw Brazilian seed queen is obtained, it can be planted in nutrient-rich soils. Once the seeds have germinated enough, they can be moved to a larger container.
Rejuvenation
It is not necessary. Early shaping of the branches will ensure a good tree crown shape, but any pruning and rejuvenation outside of these routine prunings is not necessary to maintain the health of the tree.
Ground
It requires deep, well-drained, moist, rich and alluvial soil. It grows naturally in a slightly elevated position that is not subject to floods, because it does not tolerate them. It prefers a pH in the range of 4.5 – 8 pH, while the ideal soil value is 5.5 – 7. It adapts well to heavy clay and low fertility soil.
The plant originates from the lowland tropical forest, where it is found at elevations up to 200 m. It grows best in areas where annual daily temperatures are within the range of 20 – 36°C, but it can withstand the range of 12 – 40°C. Prefers average annual rainfall in the range of 2,400 – 2,800 mm, but also tolerates the range of 1,400 – 3,500 mm. Mature trees grow best in a sunny position, while young trees require shade for the first 5-7 years.
Planting Brazil nuts
The seeds for planting must be cleaned and should be planted in well-drained, sandy compost and thinly covered with sand, kept moist and kept at a temperature between 20 – 25°C. Seeds sometimes germinate within 4 – 6 weeks, although some may take much longer, so be patient. In warmer areas, it is now in the open ground or in a large container or container.
Planting time
It is planted in late spring or early summer when temperatures are above 21°C.
Planting from seeds
It is necessary to obtain suitable healthy seeds for planting, then soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to loosen the outer shell. After that, rinse the seeds, soak them again and repeat the rinsing and soaking process every 8 hours until the seeds germinate. When the seeds have germinated, it is necessary to fill a clear glass container with 2/3 of nutrient-rich houseplant soil, then make a hole in the center of the soil and push the seeds in, cover the seeds with soil and leave only the sprouted end outside the soil, moisten the soil and maintain is moist.
Cover the container with cheesecloth and secure it firmly with a rubber band, then place the container in a warm area out of the reach of direct sunlight. It is necessary to regularly check whether it is growing and to water it so that the soil does not dry out. When the seedling is 15 – 30 cm tall, it should be planted in an area with access to full sunlight, well-drained soil and high humidity with warm tropical temperatures.
Cultivation in the garden
The Brazilian tree needs a lot of sun and warmth, so it is recommended to plant it in direct sunlight in the garden. It should be borne in mind that the Brazilian tree will need space, as it can grow up to 50 m. The tree is planted in the garden when it reaches a height of about 1.5 m, and it needs about 10 days for the soil to harden a little before it can be planted. plant in the garden.
A hole twice the size of the root system and deep enough to accommodate the root is dug, then filled with good fertilizer and compost and a well-watered seedling is placed in it. Continue watering as needed. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, but it should not be too wet either. If more than one tree is planned, they must be planted at a distance of 10 m.
Cultivation in a greenhouse
Growing in a greenhouse is not recommended because the Brazilian tree requires a constant increase in space for its roots. It can grow very tall and for long-term cultivation it is best to plant it in an open and spacious area.
Cultivation in containers
It is necessary to fill the container in which it is planted with a quality mixture for the growth of seeds and bury the germinated seeds in it. Then it is watered without too much soaking of the walnuts and soil. The container is kept in a warm indoor place out of direct sunlight and watered as needed.
When the sapling grows and develops its first set of leaves, it is removed from the container and planted in a planter that is kept inside until the tree is tall and strong enough. The size of the container will have to be gradually increased as the tree grows. Brazilian trees have long roots, and after a while any container will become too small, so planting outdoors is recommended.
Maintenance and care
The Brazil nut is a beautiful tree that can grow massive and produce nuts for hundreds of years if given the right conditions.
Plantation maintenance
Brazil nuts need well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. Grafted trees are planted in clay soil at a distance of 10 x 15 m or 20 x 20 m. Trees 16 years old produce about 30 – 50 fruits, while mature trees about 200 – 400, and even up to 1,000 fruits. The trees will bloom after 5 – 6 years and start bearing fruit only after 10 – 20 years. Flowering occurs at the beginning of the dry season, and the flowers are pollinated by a species of large bee.
Thinning
The seedling can be trimmed while it is young, but later when it grows into a tall tree it is no longer possible or necessary.
Circumcision
Wild trees are generally not trimmed or pruned, but younger seedlings can be encouraged to lower branching at a height of 1 – 2 m by pruning the main branch and then shortening the frame branches at regular intervals. Nuts generally need minimal pruning.
Harvest
The fruits are harvested during a period of 5 – 6 months in the rainy season. They collect under the tree within a few weeks after the fall. Fruits weighing 0.5 – 2.5 kg contain 10 – 25 seeds, collected immediately after falling from the tree to reduce the attack of insects and fungi and to control the number of seeds that would be carried away by animals.
Drying
After they are soaked overnight, they are drained well and rinsed with fresh water, they are put to dry for about 12 – 24 hours in the oven at 175°C.
Storage
Brazil nuts should be stored in a cool and dry environment. This means at room temperature (or slightly below) and away from heat sources. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator or freezer.
About 31% of the fat content in Brazil nuts is polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are neither high nor low for nuts, which means that they can go rancid after a long time, and you will recognize them by their unpleasant smell or taste.
There is no exact answer to how long Brazil nuts last. However, if they are bought in a store, their life expectancy can be preserved by freezing. Most people buy nuts in the supermarket, and by law, manufacturers must write an expiration date on them. In most cases, if stored properly, they will definitely outlast their expiration date. The estimated shelf life in the refrigerator and freezer is 1 year, while you can store it in the fridge for 6 – 9 months.
Preparation for the next season
The Brazil nut thrives best in areas where annual daily temperatures vary between a minimum of 12°C and a maximum of 40°C. It also likes tropical surroundings and a sunny position. Without the mentioned conditions, the young seedling will hardly survive. Initially, it can be grown in a container and in a greenhouse. When the roots are no longer large enough for the pot, it must be transplanted outdoors. Preferably in a sunny and warm place. In some cases, the Brazilian tree can overwinter, but it may not bear fruit.
Diseases
The Brazil nut tree is generally quite hardy and healthy, but can be subject to some diseases such as brown spots on the leaves.
Sometimes there is a plague of brown spots on the leaves (Cercospora), especially on old leaves. The disease can also penetrate the fruit, so producers sometimes know how to speed up the collection of nuts and compensate for this with improved storage conditions. An organic fungicide is used to control this disease.
Pests
Brazil nuts do not have too many pests, but they can be a target for rodents and ants that eat their leaves. In the wild, some trees of this species produce a sticky red resin to defend themselves against insect attacks. Macaws manage to gnaw nuts and sometimes eat unripe nuts.
Cocoa weevils are small mites that tunnel inside the tree and eat it from the inside. After harvesting, they need to be treated with fumigants.
Use of Brazil nut
The seeds are one of the most commonly consumed nuts in the world. The Brazil nut tree is not commonly grown. The seeds are collected in large quantities in the wild and then exported to many other countries. Wild trees are also used for wood and for local medicinal use. It is not common to cultivate the Brazil nut tree because it is abundant in the Amazon jungle, although some work on its cultivation has been successfully carried out in other humid tropical areas such as Malaya, Sri Lanka and western India. Walnut oil is also used as animal feed.
Cookery
Walnuts can be consumed raw, salted, roasted and cooked. They can be an ingredient in salads, chocolates, cereals, cakes, ice creams and added to various other recipes. They have a mild and delicate taste, they are very nutritious, they contain approximately 66% fat or oil, 17% protein and 7% carbohydrates. The seeds are brown, each about 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.
Freshly pressed oil of pale yellow color, almost odorless and with a pleasant nutty taste is obtained from the seeds. Its composition is not like almond oil and can be used like olive oil.
Cosmetics
When crushed, Brazil nuts produce a clear yellowish oil that, in addition to being attractive for culinary purposes, is also used in the production of soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners and skin care products, as it acts as a good moisturizing ingredient in creams. Brazil nut oil is sometimes used in perfumery and dyes.
Medicine
They are rich in unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamin E, minerals such as selenium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese. They are also a good source of calcium and iron.
Economy
The largest producer of Brazil nuts is actually Bolivia, where the nut is called nuez de Brasil. Rural Bolivians and Brazilians rely on Brazil nut gathering as a primary source of income. For this reason, the harvesting of naturally growing Brazilian trees has prevented deforestation in many areas of the Amazon. Commercial cultivation proved to be a futile venture. However, growing Brazil nuts for private needs is not impossible.
The central part of the wood is light brown to reddish in color. It is moderately hard and hard and moderately durable and resistant to fungi and termites, but susceptible to dry wood borers. Brazil nut wood is valued for its quality in carpentry and construction. The durable wood is sought after by shipbuilders and is also used for purposes such as interior joinery, cabinet making, high-end furniture, construction, flooring, heavy carpentry and cut veneer.
Capsules of the dried fruit are useful as fuel. A walnut that has an elevated oil content of 63 – 69%, so it burns like a candle when lit.
Interesting things
Brazil nut harvesting has a long history throughout the Amazon basin, with exports to Europe dating back to the mid-1600s. Most of the collection takes place along the border regions of Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, where it is a key source of income for many local communities.
The Brazil nut is considered a nut only in the culinary sense. It is not a true nut in the botanical sense, but is actually considered a seed.
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