Only the female trees of this beautiful tropical evergreen produce fruit.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Nutmeg is usually associated with the aroma that permeates the air during chilly weather.
The native habitat of thenutmeg tree, though, is far from the typical North American autumn.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It is a tropical evergreen native to the balmy Spice Islands in the South Pacific.
Flowers appear on the tree on and off during the year.
They are pale yellow and fragrant but small, rather inconspicuous, and open at night.
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Nutmeg trees require a hot and humid climate.
The tree can be planted in the spring or fall.
Mature trees tolerate full sun, but especially younger trees are susceptible to leaf burn.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Morning sun and afternoon shade are best.
If your planting location gets afternoon sun, protect a young tree with a20- to 40-percent shade cloth.
A slightlyacidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0is best.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Water
In their native habitat, nutmeg trees grow in damp and moist but not waterlogged soil.
If there is not sufficient rainfall to keep the soil consistently moist, water as needed.
Nutmeg trees have shallow roots.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It thrives in temperatures between 77 and 86 degrees F. The tree is not frost-tolerant.
Fertilizer
to produce fruit, nutmeg trees need regular fertilization.
The tree has a pyramidal-shaped, densely leafy crown that becomes more rounded and wide-spreading as the tree ages.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The goal of pruning is to maintain that shape.
For tall trees, this is a challenge and might require pruning by a certified arborist.
The seeds must be planted shortly after harvesting because they rapidly lose their viability.
For that very reason, commercial growers graft trees to speed up fruit production.
Use an all-purpose potting mix or a potting mix for tropical trees.
Keep in mind that a potted nutmeg tree needs even more watering than a tree in the landscape.
Keep the soil evenly moist over the winter and ensure the room has adequate high humidity.
Possible pests includescale insects, which can cause wilting of the leaves.
A tree produces up 20 pounds or more depending on the maturity and growing conditions.
The preferred method and the one used in commercial nutmeg farming is to use a telescopic pole nut picker.
