Need help with macadamia trees!

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Chiefengineer MIssion Valley, TX(Zone 9a) Feb 18, 2009

This is my first post, so I would appreciate any feedback, especially
if this is posted in the wrong forum. I searched DG and found some very
sparse information on Macadamia trees, but maybe some nice Aussie
or Kiwi will know something here (btw, I love visiting both places).

I got these "seeds" for Xmas.
I've tried lots of things to germinate them.
The gardening house they came from said 14 days in the soil. After Googling this
I discovered a Hawaiian variety that does exactly that. I tried it.
It failed...the seeds showed zero sign of life and remained hard as rocks.
I read where these can otherwise be erratic and take up to 5 months, and even get
invasive in areas of NZ, so maybe the seed source was mislead.
I tried some soaking in epsom salt water (a technique I use with stubborn palm seeds, that is supposed to simulate the digestive tract of a bird). So far no luck. Maybe ALL the seeds are sterile. Maybe they take 5 months instead of 14 days. Maybe I should "crack" a couple and try?
How are these spread in nature...through birds...or just down a hillside?

Post #6156244
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Stake Barmera, Australia Feb 18, 2009

G'Day
I don't have a great knowledge of Macadamia seed but two thoughts for you. First if the nuts were imported they may have been heat treated so therefore not viable. I once grew some macadamias and in that case I cracked the seed in a vice. Just enough pressure to crack the shell not shatter it, I think that information came from "The Australian Native Plants Society".
Regards Brian

Post #6157433
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Chiefengineer MIssion Valley, TX(Zone 9a) Feb 19, 2009

G'Day to you as well.
I appreciate the direction very much. Your source is expansive and has lots of ideas.
I read the first Aussie to germinate these had an assistant who vise-cracked them and
ate one...thereby discovering their value. I am going to try that, as well as nicking with
a blade, soaking, and sanding. If I have luck I will post here. I have often wondered
if the seeds I buy get irradiated in the mail, and that's why the yield-rate gets low;
I am guessing that could have happened here even if they came from Hawaii. Thanks again!

Post #6159082
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Weerobin Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a) Feb 19, 2009

When I lived in southern California, we had macadamia trees.
At our house, they were rambunctiously reseeding everywhere.
It was a great nuisance pulling all the unwanted seedlings.
It certainly didn't seem to me that they needed much encouragement to germinate.

Post #6162337
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