Nutmeg- Planting activities

Nutmeg is propagated through seeds and also by grafts. Epicotyl grafting is the method of grafting adopted. The planting is done with the onset of southwest monsoon. Around 60 lants can be accommodated in an acre.

Fully ripe tree-burst fruits are selected for raising seedlings. The fleshy rind and the mace are removed before sowing. The seeds should be sown immediately after collection.

Seeds germinate within 50-80 days after sowing. When the plumule produces two elongated opposite leaves, the seedlings are to be transferred from beds to poly bags.

Since the nutmeg trees require shade, suitable fast growing shade trees like Albizia, Erythrina  etc. are planted in advance. Banana can also be grown as a shade crop in the early stages.

Pits of 90 cm x 90 cm x 90 cm are dug at a spacing of 8 m x 8 m. The pits are filled with topsoil and compost. The seedlings are planted hereafter.