Tamarind Care Sheet

Brought to you by S & S Bonsai of Colorado Springs, Colorado (Most of the included information is obtained from several online sources.)

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” —Mahatma Gandhi — The Tamarind petaled flowers are yellow with orange streaks duced by defoliation several times during the and are arranged in small . These growing season. This is a strong top (Tamarindus indica ) blooms are small and resemble orchid blooms. grower, keep the top clipped or lower limbs The blooms are followed by colored will weaken and die back. Tamarinds can take General Information: Tamarindus indica – an scalloped pods that are edible and used in a severe to both branches and evergreen native of tropical Africa was intro- , , candies, beverages and other if done in the spring or early summer. The duced to India and Persia, where western food items. Tamarind paste is widely used as Tamarind will quickly sprout new botanists first described Tamarind as Tama- well. You can find many Tamarind recipes. branches from the trunk. Easily trained as rindus indica, the Arabic derivative of the Per- Normally, will produce flowers and bonsai. sian and Arabic name “tamar al-Hind”. From on new growth after about 8 to 10 years but Insects / Pests: The Tamarind Tree can be here, the tree was introduced widely Tamarind tree bonsai grown in pots will not susceptible to Scale, Leafspot, Caterpillars throughout South East Asia, Taiwan and tropi- flower. and Borers although not usually a problem. CARE cal China. Spanish and Portuguese colonists Propagation: Seeds, cuttings and air-layering introduced Tamarind to Mexico and South are all successful. The Tamarind is a slow Temperature: Tamarinds are tropical and need America to such a degree that it became a grower, so obtaining a larger trunk is desir- common ingredient in everyday living. It has to be protected when temperatures drop be- able. become the most widely distributed low 45 °F. Zone : 10b-11. Repotting: Repotting is preferably done in in the world. In Asia its pulp is used as a fla- Lighting: Full sun even after severe pruning of spring after night temperatures stabilize in voring agent in meal preparations and is also the roots and/or branches is best. The tree will the low to mid 60's, just as the new ap- recognized as having many medicinal proper- respond sooner. ties. In the Caribbean region the pulp is used pear but can be repotted anytime throughout to prepare juice and often used in ice cream. Watering: The Tamarind is not drought toler- the summer. Prefers a well draining sandy ant. If Tamarind wilts, irreversible foliage dam- soil. In nature can be found on sandy Tamarind is long living and can reach heights age occurs. Regular watering is necessary for beaches, as well as any other kind of soil con- of 80’ to 100’. Trunk circumference can reach best results especially if it is in a bonsai pot. dition. prune carefully and gradually; 25’. The tree is wind and resistant and is The Tamarind has a moderate salt tolerance. remove the same percentage of foliage and widely used as a shade tree. When the roots. is burned it gives off an intense heat, and the Fertilizing: Preferred ph is 5.5. Use an acid fer- resultant charcoal is used in the manufacture tilizer weekly during the growing season and Design and Styling: Informal upright of gun powder. The bark of the Tamarind is once a month during the winter. In early spring add a super phosphate to encourage nicely furrowed. blooming. Organic fertilizer is preferred. Over Foliage: Tamarind has a large umbrella fertilization prevents good ramification and shaped crown with fine, like compound causes long internodes. Cut back on high nitro- that emerge bright redish orange and gen fertilizer after new growth is established. change to light green. The compound adult leaves are bright green, dense, pinnate and Pruning / Training: Use the clip and grow alternate. They close at night and during method with directional pruning. Drastic draught conditions. trunk/branch pruning should be done between May and August. Wiring can be done success- Flower/ fruit: Blooming in spring, the 1” wide fully on young branches and leaves can be re-