soapnut tree

[flopsie]

Hi this is my first time on this site, I found you a couple of weeks ago and have learnt a little.
I just started using soapnuts and got a seed in a packet, I would really like to see if i could grow a tree.
any suggestions on what time of year i should plant etc would be nice.
cheers

Flopsie

[Ermintrude]

Hi Flopsy

Welcome to the forum! I'm not an expert but I think Soap Nuts come from India - I don't think we have the climate to grow them here - but I'm sure someone in the know will put me right if you can grow them in merry old England!

[ina]

Haven't found out yet, either - but would love to know myself! (There was a thread on soap nuts somewhere else on here before...)

Anyway, welcome to the forum!

[Millymollymandy]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

[flopsie]

Thanks to all of you for your warm welcome, I have beentrying to find out more about the soapnut trees.
One of thepeople i know said they come from the mountains and like cold weather. they don't think they will grow here.
I'm still learning what i can do with soapnuts and have given some to friends and family to try so i haven't saved any money yet.

[Andy Hamilton]

Hello flopsie and welcome not sure about soapnuts but I have a packet of soapwort seeds to plant will try and use these for washing when grown.

[the.fee.fairy]

try just planting them and see what happens! I'm growing melons that way at the moment.

Ask the Soapnut people - they'll be able to tell you whether the soapnuts get treated in any way as well, so you know whether the seeds are likely to grow.

A quick question: Do your soapnuts produce foam in the washing machine? see, i sent off for a free sample (hmm...i'm cheap..) and when i used then my clothes smelt nice (but i used Ecover Fabric COnditioner) but there was no foam or evidence of cleaning in the machine.

[glenniedragon]

No obvious foam, if you give the bag a quick rub between your hands after the wash you find a thin layer of foam on your hands. I don't use any conditioner and everythings lovely and soft.
Kind thougths
deb

[the.fee.fairy]

thanks for that, at least iknow now that they are actually cleaning my clothes, not just pretending to!!

Have you had any luck on the growing soapnuts front yet?

Let me know if you do!

[Millie]

[marcherman]

Hi,

As thje soapnuts are grown and collected in Southern India, where the climate is sub tropical, it is vaguely possible that a greenhouse would allow the seed to germinate but, (always a but) the tree grows to 15 metres tall. I am not into Bonsai but, I reckon it could be stunted by the size of pot and general care.

[Shirley]

Sitting looking at two soapnut seeds as I type - going to try growing them.

Soapnut shells in a little bag doing my washing YAY.

Anyone had any luck with the soapnut seeds growing yet???

[the.fee.fairy]

I think i'm going to have to order more soapnuts...
Everyone seems to be getting seeds and i wanna join in the fun!!

Keep me posted on your trees guys!