Planting Macadamias

From Dave: Pat, quick report – planted 2 Beaumont Macadamias from 10 gallon containers into ground 2 weeks ago. Each was planted in clay soil amended with 1 cubic foot of chicken manure mix from Armstrong. Tress are very happy and have new growth on them. Trees were purchased at Bonita Creek Nursery in San Diego.

Reply by Pat: Sounds good, though chicken manure is a little strong for planting medium. Usual instructions are for planting out of containers straight into un-amended native soil. However, when planting in clay it’s always a good idea to work some gypsum in the bottom of the hole to increase drainage under the root ball. Any fertilizer can be added later on top of the soil. You will probably be okay but keep in touch. I hope the roots won’t be burned by direct contact with chicken manure.

Beaumont trees are good for home growing but all nuts should be picked off the tree once a year, whether or not they fall off naturally, at the time and in the way as described in my book. Emptying the tree of nuts this way prevents them from getting smaller and smaller each year. Other varieties fall off naturally.