Carob. The tree, about 15 metres tall, has pinnately compound glossy evergreen leaves with thick leaflets. The red flowers are followed by flat leathery pods 7.530 cm long. The pods contain 5 to 15 hard brown seeds embedded in a sweet edible pulp.
Let me tell you now if you have never tried carob, it does NOT taste like chocolate. It has its own lovely flavor and is naturally sweeter than chocolate. Just accept it for who it is and don't try to change it into something it never wanted to be...
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a tree native to Mediterranean regions. Its fruit are broad pods that are eaten as food and also used in medicine. The carob fruit contains dietary fiber and antioxidants. Chemicals in carob might have weight loss effects, reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, and lower cholesterol levels.
To grow a carob tree from seed, you can follow these steps:
1. Prepare the seeds
Lightly sand or nick the hard seed coat to improve germination. You can also treat the seeds with hot water and soak them for three days.
2. Plant the seeds
Fill tubes with a well-draining, high-quality seed-raising mix. Sow the seeds 2.55 cm deep.
3. Provide the right conditions
Keep the soil moist but not wet, and provide warmth and sunlight. The ideal soil temperature for germination is 2226°C.
4. Transplant the seedlings
When the seedlings are 810 cm tall, transplant them into a larger pot or into the garden. Be careful not to damage the tap root.
5. Protect the seedlings
Protect the seedlings from frost by mulching or using frost covers for the first two winters.
6. Space the trees
Space the trees 10 m apart.
7. Be patient
Carob trees grow slowly at first and may not bear fruit until the sixth year. They can remain productive for 80100 years.
Carob trees can be grown in USDA zones 911. If your garden conditions don't closely mimic the Mediterranean, you can grow carob trees in a greenhouse or in a container that can be moved indoors.
