Complete cultivation guide
Cardamom Farming Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers to common questions about climate, varieties, nursery production, spacing, irrigation, pests, harvesting and storage.
These answers summarise the uploaded cultivation guide. For farm-specific recommendations, combine them with soil testing, local extension advice and current legal product labels.
The guide describes cardamom cultivation mainly at about 800-1,300 m above mean sea level. Individual cultivars differ: Malabar can suit about 600-1,200 m, while Mysore and Vazhukka are commonly adapted to about 900-1,200 m.
Maintain filtered light equivalent to roughly 40-60% of open conditions. Too much shade and moisture encourage disease, while open exposure increases heat and can worsen stress and some pests.
Plants mature in about 20-22 months. Economic yield generally begins from the third year, although intensive systems may harvest from around 18 months.
For high-yielding varieties, the source recommends about 3 m by 3 m, giving approximately 1,111 plants per hectare.
About 175-200 g of seed is described as sufficient to raise quality seedlings for one hectare, allowing for germination and nursery losses.
Move seedlings from the primary to secondary nursery at 4-6 leaves, usually 5-6 months after sowing. Secondary nursery or polybag plants can move to the field after dependable southwest-monsoon rain, often in late May.
The guide gives several systems: hose irrigation at 20-30 L per plant weekly, sprinkler equivalent to 35-45 mm every fortnight, or drip/micro-sprinkler at 5-6 L per clump daily. Adjust to soil, climate and clump size.
Where soil pH is below 5.5, lime or dolomite is recommended based on a soil test. Keep a 15-20 day interval between lime and fertiliser.
Malabar has prostrate panicles, Mysore erect panicles and Vazhukka semi-erect or pendent panicles. Numerous location-specific varieties and farmer selections are available.
The guide identifies cardamom thrips as the most destructive and persistent pest and reports 45-48% crop loss under serious infestation. Integrated monitoring, sanitation and need-based control are essential.
Harvest from physiological maturity to fully ripe, avoiding immature picking and over-ripening. The guide reports dry recovery of about 20% at physiological maturity and 24% when fully ripe.
Cure capsules to about 10-12% moisture before packing and storage. Moisture-protective lining and cool, clean storage help retain green colour.
Cardamom is cross-pollinated and honeybees are important pollinators. The guide recommends conserving bees, maintaining flowering shade trees and avoiding unnecessary insecticide use.
No. Cardamom varieties and management are location specific. Adapt the guide using soil tests, local rainfall, elevation, irrigation, current product labels and advice from competent agricultural authorities.