Information on growing and enjoying Monkey Pods

1. Monkey Pods may flower at any time of the year in Hawaii, but it usually flowers from April to August.
2. The 6-8 inch long seed pods, containing reddish brown beans, develop in from 6 to 8 months and fall to the ground intact, usually between December and April in Hawaii.
3. The seeds are hard coated and long lived, some germinate soon after moistening by soil contact, resulting in a short period of prolific reproduction even under lawn and garden trees.
4. Seeds are easily collected by gathering pods on the ground and drying them under cover until they open.
5. Seeds can be stored dry at 32* to 38* in closed containers for lengthy periods. Scarified seeds usually germinate 3 to 4 days after sowing.
6. Seedlings grow rapidly 6 to 10 ft within one year after planting.
7. Seedlings and mature trees are intolerant of shade and extremely susceptible to damage by overspray of herbicides used in weed control.
8. In Honolulu, it is common practice to transplant huge trees by cutting away almost all the roots and all the branches.
9. The best way to grow Monkey Pods is from seed.