Almond - prunus dulcis

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Almond - prunus dulcis

By goodadmin | July 23, 2007

by steve stamos

The almond tree (Prunus dulcis or Amygdalus communis) is a small deciduous tree native to southwestern Asia, belonging to the family Rosaceae. It grows 4–9 m tall, and it is one of the earliest domesticated (fruit) nut-trees. Like the olive tree, the almond tree provided a crop for both food and oil with not to much effort. There are two forms of the plant, one that is producing sweet almonds, and the other producing bitter almonds.

Leaves are sharp with finely serrated edges, 10 to 12 cm long. Flowers are fragrant grouped in pairs mostly pink or pink-white but infrequently white. The almond tree is closely related to peach, apricot, plum, and cherry trees but unlike these family members- they produce fruits with sweet juicy pulp, the almond has a leathery and inedible skin wrapped around its pit (the edible part). Almond trees like all other stone fruit trees need a certain amount of hours of cold weather to really produce a good crop. Almond trees should be pruned every year to remove watersprout, dead and interfering branches and for limb thinning.

Almonds prefer best a deep, well-drained soil that is reasonably fertile and free of salt. However, they can do well in any type of soil except heavy, poorly drained soil. If soil analysis identifies root knot, ring, or root lesion nematodes on a site where almonds are to be planted fumigation of the site is recommended. Two varieties are needed for pollination. If you only have space for one tree and you don’t have a self-fertile strain you could plant two trees together in the same hole. Fruiting begins when trees are 3-4 yr old with maximal production at 6-10 years.

Almonds must be picked when well ripped and any skin covering the hard shell must be removed. They nuts are a highly suitable food for human consumption. The oil is used in many cosmetic preparations. The oil contains the active form of vitamin E and about ten almonds a day can supply the daily needs for vitamin E. They have a high content of protein (20%) and low carbohydrate content. Almonds can be stored for months either in-shell or shelled if dry.

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