How to Take Care of Tamarind Plant for Best Growth

Tamarind is one of tropical fruits that many people use for dishes or medicinal purposes. The taste of this fruit is unique because it gives you a sweet-sour flavor. Its tree is a leguminous tree fruit that will grow strong if you plant it. And if you have tried to plant tamarinds, you should know better about how you care for this plant.

Keep the Temperature Low
Tamarinds are a tropical evergreen tree type originating from Madagascar. This plant is also often found in Central America, Mexico, and India. It means the plant is not able to thrive well in low-temperature areas.
Tamarinds would grow well in tropical and subtropical areas with temperatures 10 degrees Celsius and above. This is the reason why the plant should be kept away from too cold or low temperatures. This is one of several ways to take care of them because tamarinds are susceptible to cold.
Water and Fertilize Regularly
You need to water the plant regularly in the first few months after planting. The more the plant grows, the level of tolerance to drought also gets better. Watering should be done once a week at first. But then, you do not need to do it as regularly as before when fall and winter have come.
As long as you focus on doing deep watering, it would help to strengthen the extensive root system. This is also the reason why drip irrigation is an ideal option to water tamarinds. The main purpose of this watering method is to reach the root zone.
Meanwhile, for fertilization you need to do it regularly during the plant's growth. Tamarinds still need nutrients even if they usually could tolerate poor soil type. Follow the recommended dosage of the fertilization in order to make the plant grow optimally.
Prune and Shape the Tree
Tamarind plant care also includes how you prune and shape them well. Do this treatment in late winter or early spring to make the tree healthier. Remove diseased or dead branches by pruning and shaping the plant. Both ways also help to increase air circulation and sunlight penetration for the plant.
Inspect the Tree
You need to check the plants regularly to see if some pests or diseases are affecting them. Even with extra care, tamarinds are not always free from diseases and pests. If you see any signs of them, ask an expert for help so it can be handled immediately.
Mulch and Weed the Tree
Another way to care for your tamarinds is by mulching and weeding the tree. Use compost or shredded bark for the mulching process, but do not get into the tree trunk. By doing this, it would control the weeds more effectively and promote water conservation.
Use Fruit Picker to Harvest
When it is time to harvest the fruit, use a long-handled fruit picker to make your work easier. Make sure you pick the ripe tamarinds only when harvesting. Ripe fruit is characterized by soft pulp and its brown, brittle pod.

Tamarind is easy to grow and care for, but it takes 14 years for the tree to grow fully. However, there are so many benefits you can get from the plant and fruit. Some people even believe that the HCA in the fruit can help you to lose weight.