I never seen the sixty feet height "Nutmeg"tree in Kerala and Tamilnadu.Normally the Nutmeg plants were propagated by silviculture i.e seed germinated method.But the germinated seedlings will be maximum 99% male plants?This is the major set back in Nutmeg cultivation.So the scientists of the Spices & Areca nut Board,Kozhicode
,Kerala developed so many varieties in Nutmeg for fast growth,early maturity and better yield.The Nutmeg will needs 70% shade with warm ,medium relative humidity.The fruit of the Nutmeg will in yellow colour,the kernel will be inside and it's automatically fell down on maturity.The kernel/Nut will covered by rich red coloured net flesh is called Jathi pathri.This can used for aroma in infdian kitchen with medicinal value.
The Nutmeg saplings are to be propagated by approach veneer grafting method .The propagators are to be used the female scion from selected female tree and the root stalk will be promoted by wild nutmeg seeds.Since the all Nutmeg sprouts are maximum male.Now a Days the propagation of Nutmeg saplings will be done by bio budding and step budding for fast growth and early maturity.Now many varieties promoted by Spices & Arecanut Board,Kozhicode like Viswashree,Vengula and CR by budding method.The initial yield will starts five to six years onwards.The stabilisation of the yield will be on completion of ten years and above.The life span of the Nutmeg tree will be seventy years and above.
With regards,
A Sivakumar