Nutmeg trees also grow best in climates that experience at least 60 inches (152-cm) of annual rainfall. You can usually find out your area’s annual rainfall from your country’s national weather or meteorology bureau website. The roots don’t do well in soggy conditions, though, so it’s best to plant the tree on a slope to provide effective drainage.
Nutmeg is best suited for clay loam, sandy loam, and red laterite soils. You can test your soil’s pH with a testing kit from your local garden supply store or nursery. They usually require digging a hole in the soil and filling it with distilled water. Next, you insert a test probe and wait for the results according to the kit’s instructions. If your soil’s pH is above 7. 0, you can make it more acidic by about 1- to 2-inches (2. 5 to 5-cm) of sphagnum peat into the soil when you plant the nutmeg. If your soil’s pH is below 5. 5, you can make it a little less acidic by covering the planting area with a layer of limestone and mixing it into the soil.
If you prefer, you can dip the knife’s blade in a pot of boiling water to sterilize it.
The aril is the red, lace-like substance that covers the seed. The aril from a nutmeg is used to make mace. You can discard the aril, or set it out in a dry, sunny area for about 15 days until it dries out and turns brown. You can then grind it into mace.
If you don’t want to plant the nutmeg right away, store the seeds in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Plant them within 6 weeks.
Clay loam, sandy loam, or red laterite soil is the best option for planting nutmeg.
Tap water works well for watering the nutmeg, but make sure that it’s not softened water, which often contains salt.
Be sure to water the pot regularly as you wait for the nutmeg to sprout. The soil should constantly be moist without puddles forming on the surface.
In front of a west-facing window is an ideal spot for a young nutmeg tree if you are in the northern hemisphere.
Be sure that the tree’s pot drains thoroughly after watering before placing it back on its drip tray.
You can usually tell that the roots have filled the base of the current pot when they start to protrude from the drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the new container with the same type of soil that you used initially. Set the tree in the new pot so the surface of the soil is 1-inch (2. 5-cm) below the rim. Water the tree thoroughly after moving it and allow it to drain. You’ll know the tree is large enough to move outside when its roots take up a 5 gallon (19 liter) pot, which usually takes approximately 6 months. It’s best to plant it outdoors in late spring, though.
It’s also a good idea to mix some manure into the first 8- to 10-inches (20- to 25-cm) of soil in the area where you plan to plant the tree.
If you are planting more than one nutmeg tree, dig the holes at least 30 to 40 feet (9- to 12-m) apart.
Be sure to cut through any circling roots with garden shears before setting in the hole. Cut away any dead or mushy roots as well. The root crown may be slightly above the soil if necessary.
Avoid tamping the soil while it is moist.
Fresh wood chips and compost make the best mulch for a nutmeg tree.
Pruning can also help increase flower, fruit, and seed production for a nutmeg tree.
The fruit is roughly similar in size and color as an apricot. You can discard the outer flesh and save the shiny purple brown seed that’s covered with a red avril.
Symptoms of fruit rot include water-logged spots on the fruit and rotted seeds and avrils. You can treat the disease with a fungicide such as 1% Bordeaux mixture. [24] X Research source Symptoms of thread blight include fine white or black threads on the underside of the leaves. You can treat the disease with a fungicide such as 1% Bordeaux mixture. You can tell that your nutmeg tree is suffering black, white, or shield scale damage if you observe black, white, or brown fish scale-like pests in clusters on the stems and lower surfaces of the leaves. Treat the infestation with a pesticide such as dimethoate.
