The Internet's Finest Tropical Fruit Discussion Forum!"All discussion content within the forum reflects the views of the individual participants and does not necessarily represent the views held by the Tropical Fruit Forum as an organization."
General rule seems to be to cover the roots with dirt and watch it grow.There are a few on the high path at the BG that fruit their heads off. High path is up on the hill so they don't get too much water. Fine with sun. 2m tall one on the farm got squashed by a hoop pine a few months back.
Studies from the mid to late 80s found 'possibly carcinogenic cyclopropenic fatty acids' in P. insignis. I'm unsure if any further studies were done, but FOA and other publications have quoted those studies in the past. I still eat them, Im just not likely to make it a staple of my diet given the very high oil levels and the studies.
Coomonly grown on a piece of lava rock here and sold in gift shops. That will tell you something about how hardy they are. Never heard anything about any toxicity in the nuts. I believe that is wrong, at least for Pachira glabra. Maybe you're talking about a different species? Glabra is quite tasty with a little stir frying or roasting. Can also be eaten raw as a sprouted seed.