Tamarinds

[bubba]

These are interesting trees that grow thick and large in this area with kind of a strage pod-like fruit.Anyone have experience growing these in your area?

[Mike4284m]

I'm growing a small one from seed from a supermarket pod. It grew pretty rapidly at first but has seemed to flow down, probably from neglect. The pulp around the seeds is delicious and has a very distinct taste. They're used a lot in Indian cooking and I think some Hispanic as well.

[Really full garden]

These do really well here on the coast with no care.They thrive on heat and sun.The pulp around the seed pod has many culinary uses.It makes a great drink,marinade for seafood,curries etc........

[ariscott]

They are actually naturalised here in Darwin. Very nice looking trees.... I have 2 growing in my yard. Not the fastest growing trees though...

Regards, Ari

[Al in Kona]

Tamarind (Tamarindo) trees are known to be slow growers but eventually grow into a very large tree. The variety or form of the tree I have is called "Thai sweet", which produces a much larger sweeter seed pod. I have seen those sold in markets and was surprised to see how much larger the fruit is on that variety. I was told when I got my small seedling tree that they were slow growers and my experience growing it certainly confirms that. Once established they are very drought tolerant as well. Here is a pic of mine taken last July ('08).

[SubTropicRay]

Me. Much more "cold" hardy than I would have believed.

[Eric in Orlando]

I agree Ray. We have a 6ft specimen planted out with some other tropical fruit trees. After a 30F night in Feb. with heavy frost it wasn't damaged but a nearby 'Carrie' mango had most of the flowers killed off and lots of upper foliage burn and a Muntingia calabura, Strawberry Tree, was defoliated and froze back several inches into the branches. The tamarind is hardier than I would have thought, too.