How to grow Abnnato

Bixa orellana

Full Sun
OR
Partial Sun
Medium

This tropical tree needs at least 10 hours of direct sunlight daily. Well-drained soil, never flooding or remaining soggy after rain or irrigation. It also needs fertile loamy soil slightly acidic and rich in organic humus. This top soil layer needs to be at least 3 feet deep.

Make sure and mulch with at least six inches deep in order to protect the roots from cold weather in USDA zone 9.

Growing abnnato from seed

Pre-germinate seeds in a moist paper towel. Sow at least 40 seeds unless seeds are under 2 weeks old. Nick radicle end of seed before sowing, unless seeds are under 2 weeks old. Dried & stored seeds will become too hard to let water inside for germination unless seeds are nicked first. (2)

For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 24°C / 75°F.

Harvesting abnnato

The annatto seed pod will open when still holding tightly to the seeds. Collect the opened seed pods and place them in a bag. Shake the bag then separate the seeds from the pods. Use gloves when handling annatto seeds because they will stain. Also, the seed pod is very prickly.

Sow seeds as soon as possible after gathering, because otherwise seeds become dry and hard, and much more difficult to germinate. (2)

Seed Saving abnnato

Sow, sell, or trade seeds as soon as possible after gathering, because otherwise seeds become dry and hard, and much more difficult to germinate. (2)

How long does abnnato take to grow?

These estimates for how long abnnato takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take abnnato to germinate?: 24 days
Average 24 days | Min days | Max days (0)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out abnnato?: + days
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Days to Maturity How long until abnnato is ready for harvest / bloom?: + days
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow abnnato?: = days

abnnato Folklore & Trivia

This plant is not only known for the red pigments used as natural food coloring but also an effective remedy for headaches and body aches.The leaves are natural salonpas when attached to skin.it absorbs heat and cold gas trapped in body tissues.so whenever you have headache due to high fever, using leaves of atchuete may help by placing them in forehead tied with cloth or hankerchief.the leaves will turn to brown and dried after several hours .apply it too in other body parts and effectively remove pasma.

Other names for abnnato

Annato, bixa Acuminata, B. Odorata, achiote, pumacua, achiot, Annattos

Bixa orellana L.

Misspellings: Lipstick,tree

Footnotes

¹ easybloom.com

² http://www.sidalc.net/repdoc/a5437i/a5437i.pdf