Displaying items by tag: soap nuts

Note: We can no longer source or supply soapnut seeds or soapnut plants.

•    Evergreen
•    Fast growing South American tree
•    Produces berries in 3 years
•    The berries contain saponins which produce a soapy lather in water
•    Produces small white flowers prior to producing brown fruits
•    Grows  to a height of 9 metres, a good shade tree in a low maintenance garden
•    Grows well in coastal areas, are tolerant of draught, wind, sandy soils, loamy, clay, moist, acidic and alkaline conditions
•    Likes a position in full sun/partial sun

The Soapberry tree is an evergreen that reaches the height of 9 metres. It grows well in coastal areas and can tolerate wind, drought and infertile soils.  

This tree is known as the Western Soapberry which grows in acidic, alkaline, drought tolerant, loamy, moist, sandy, well drained, and clay soils.  

Butterflies and bees love this tree which is said to resemble a large Mimosa tree. It grows well in full sun, partial shade and produces a showy cluster of small white flowers at the tip of a current year’s shoot. The fruit is an orange/brown colour and looks leathery.  The berries will stay on the tree for months and look attractive.
To use the ripe berry for washing, sun dry it, then crack the shell to remove the seed.  Use the berry shell for washing and plant the seed.

Germination

Plant as soon as you receive your seeds. Do not store.

1. You have to weaken the seeds coat. Use a nail file or sand paper to scarify. If you find it too tough, you can hammer the seed. Please be careful and do not to crush the seed. We just want to weaken the seed coat.

2. Soak the seed overnight in warm/hot water. Do not use boiled water, let it sit for 5 minutes. Then fill up a vacuum-insulated thermos with the seeds and water, and let it soak for 24 hours. The thermos will keep the water warm throughout that period. The soaking process is particularly important, as the water is what activates the germination.

3. Plant the seeds (best time of the year spring to early summer). Use good potting soil (not dirt - good quality potting/germinating soil). Plan the seeds at a depth of 2.5cm. Choose a pot that is deep, as SoapNut trees send down vertical tap roots. Put the pot(s) in a place where it will not be in direct sun, and where it can catch some rainfall. Water the pots if the soil starts to dry, but don't water if it is still moist (that can promote fungal growth.) Also, avoid fertilizing the soil before germination occurs - high levels of nitrogen in the soil can actually inhibit germination in general.

4. Wait and watch the seeds growing. The germination process can take 1 to 3 months (in summer months). In cooler months a little more patience will be needed, you will need to ensure that the seed mix is warm and provide sufficient light.

5. Look after your trees.

In time the seed will swell in size, almost to double its original size and forms a white powder coating around the seed coating. Don't be concerned when you see this, it is a good sign that the seedling is about to emerge.

As soon as the seedling emerges, you will need to re-pot into a large container or plant bag to protect the very long main root. This is a sub-tropical/tropical plant that loves rain, so keep in a sunny spot and water regularly.