Where can carob trees grow?

Mediterranean
Although the Carob tree is used widely in agriculture, it is native to the Mediterranean regions. The tree can be found growing extensively in the wild of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Carob belongs to the legume family with the tree growing to 15 m in height.

How fast does carob grow?

It can take 6 – 7 years for a tree to begin to bear. The fruit is a dark brown flattened pod, 13 – 30 cm in length and about 2.5 cm wide, containing a sweet, chocolate tasting pulp and several bean-like seeds.

How long does it take a carob tree to bear fruit?

trees may fruit in approximately six years with the fruit taking about eleven months to ripen on the tree. These trees reach a typical mature size of 30 or 40 feet. Although some trees are hermaphrodites, generally you would need both a male and female tree for fruiting.

How long do carob trees take to grow?

Planting considerations and propagation techniques Carob trees may grow to 25 feet tall with a canopy 25 feet in diameter. Carob trees are adapted to a mild Mediterranean climate, and they are cold tolerant to around 20ºF. They take 6-‐7 years to produce the first seed crop, and can live for a century or more.

How do you plant carob?

Poke a 1 1/2-inch-deep planting hole in each growing container. Sow one carob seed in each planting hole. Cover the seeds with sterile compost. Drizzle water onto the compost to settle it around the seed.

Where is carob from?

eastern Mediterranean region
Carob is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and is cultivated elsewhere. The ripe dried pods can be ground into a powder that is somewhat similar in flavour to cocoa, and carob powder, chips, and syrups are commonly used as an alternative to chocolate in health-food products.

Is carob a tree?

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) is a member of the pea family native to the Mediterranean region. It is most known for the large bean pods and seeds within them.

Can diabetics eat carob?

Background. Ceratonia siliqua pods (carob) have been nominated to control the high blood glucose of diabetics.

Can humans eat carob?

You can eat carob pods when they’re fresh or dried, too. People who add carob to their diet have seen benefits like weight loss and decreased stomach issues.

How do you plant carob seeds?

Where do carob trees grow in Australia?

While carob is grown in six states and territories of Australia, the key production regions are western New South Wales, southern South Australia and the northern agricultural region of Western Australia.

Who invented carob?

Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) refers to the sweet beans of the carob tree as food for the pigs. Egypt, Ancient Rome, Israel 🡪 There is evidence that the ancient Egyptians used carob. Carob pods and seeds have been found in Egyptian tombs, while carob pectin (SEE HERE K11) was used to mummify the dead.

What is the climate of a carob tree?

Frost during the blooming period will reduce or prevent fruit-set. The tree does best in a Mediterranean-type climate with cool, not cold, winters, mild to warm springs, and warm to hot summers with little or no rain. Temperatures in carob-growing regions of Israel may reach 104º to 122º F (40º-50º C) in summer.

How do you take care of a carob tree?

While carob can withstand drought and alkalinity, it does not tolerate acidic soil or overly wet conditions. Water the carob infrequently, or not at all, depending on your climate. Once established, carob trees are strong and resilient and are affected by few diseases or pests, although scale may be an issue.

Can you grow a carob tree from seeds?

Growing Carob from Seeds. The fresh carob tree seeds germinate quickly and easily. If you don’t find fresh seeds, you can grow it from dry seeds that are scarified and soaked in water until they double in size.

How far apart do you plant carob trees?

Traditionally planted in flats and then transplanted once the seedlings attain a second set of leaves, germination for carob trees is only about 25 percent certain. Carob should be spaced 9 inches (23 cm.) apart in the garden. For the home gardener, an established 1-gallon (3.78 L) carob tree start might more prudently be purchased from a nursery.