Pecans: varieties and varieties

Varieties and varieties

The pecan nut is an unpretentious plant and can grow in different climates. There are varieties that are able to withstand low temperatures, prolonged drought, and also grow in soil that is poor in organic matter and minerals.

Among the most popular varieties of pecans, you can find: stewart, greenriver, indiana, textan, major, success. The availability of nutrients depends on the type of nut and where the tree grows.

They all have a different composition, but each is useful in its own way, since it can contain more minerals, vitamins and trace elements.

Video "Description"

From the video you will learn many interesting facts about the type of pecan.

Planting and breeding

Pecans are propagated in several ways: grafting, seedlings, budding and seeds.

Seeds are usually harvested after the nut is fully ripe - in the fall. After that, they are sown in prepared soil or stratified for several months before spring sowing. First, the beds with deep furrows are prepared. It is important that the seeds are submerged in the soil at least 7 centimeters. On average, one and a half or two dozen seeds are sown per one meter of the bed.

When they are already in the ground, it will be necessary to fill in the planting material with it, and then moisten the soil. You need to pour a little water so that it saturates the ground, but does not stagnate on the surface. To make it evaporate more slowly, soil mulching can be used.

As a result, the emergence of seedlings can be observed in a month.

At first, the pecan grows rather slowly. During the year, the stem of the plant can grow up to 30 centimeters. By the age of three, the growth will be about 60 centimeters. Strong good seedlings in the first year can already be transplanted to a permanent place where they will root. Gardeners leave weaker plants for another 1-2 years until they get stronger.

When the seedlings are preparing for planting, the root system should be consistently moisturized and, if necessary, can be fed with fertilizers.

You can grow pecans in a greenhouse, a greenhouse, and even on a balcony, if the owners are ready to allocate time for this. To transplant a grown seedling, they usually take a large, spacious container. A wooden box will do.

It is imperative to take into account which cultivation features must be observed for individual varieties of nuts. For example, hazel needs a long period of complete rest, and at the same time, from November until the beginning of spring, the plant should be kept at a temperature of about 10-12 degrees. During this time, the frequency of watering decreases.

You can grow pecans from seedlings, but owners should take into account that this method has its own difficulties. The main problem is that the finished seedlings have a very sensitive root system. Even with the slightest damage that may not be noticed, the plant can die. Therefore, when transporting pecan seedlings, you need to be extremely careful. The root system of the hazel variety has lateral and central roots (mixed system).Before planting a seedling in the soil, you need to dig a deep and wide hole so as not to break the processes. It is desirable that the land is fertile and soft. If there is an admixture of clay in it, then you can first add some sand to create drainage. Thus, the water after irrigation will not stagnate.

After planting the nut in the ground, you will need to install a level support next to it, to which the seedling is tied. Then the earth is watered and covered with a small layer of mulch.

If there is no good fertile land on the site, then you need to prepare it yourself or purchase it in a specialized store before planting.

Good soil increases seed germination and also allows seedlings to grow better. In the future (after a few years) this will no longer be critical, since the plant will take over and take root.

Care

For pecans, no special care measures are required, since the plant itself is unpretentious. Of course, if you provide favorable conditions for its growth, you can significantly improve yields, as well as prevent the appearance of diseases or pests.

Gardeners will need to periodically break through the weeds that will grow in the area near the walnut. When the plants get stronger and begin to stretch upward, it will be necessary to make holes in order to better control the amount of water that goes into irrigation. You will also need to periodically loosen the ground when it is nailed by rain or trampled underfoot.

Caring for a pecan, in addition to watering and fertilizing, should also include taking care of its crown. With the onset of spring, it is necessary to carry out sanitary and formative pruning, removing dry damaged branches. With proper care, self-grown nuts from seeds begin to bear fruit no earlier than ten years later.

It is possible to achieve earlier fruiting, at the age of four or five years, if the nut is grown with the help of scion or budding. But these methods of reproduction require special knowledge and skills, therefore, most often gardeners use either the seed method of reproduction or acquire ready-made adult seedlings at the age of 3-5 years.

Diseases and pests

Pecans are difficult to crack without tools. Its shell does not have a single crack, not a single hole (like, for example, walnut). This is both a plus - various insects cannot penetrate inside, and it is also a minus - it is difficult to split and remove the core due to the dense shell.

The plant is practically not susceptible to diseases compared to walnuts. In wet weather and shade, mold can appear on the trunk, which can lead to decay of the tree. You can fight pathogenic fungi with the help of chemicals or some folk remedies - a solution of ammonia, baking soda or vinegar.

Fertilizing and feeding

As with any other types of nuts, fertilization of the soil and feeding of plants can be carried out using organic additives and special preparations.

Fertilizers must be applied carefully. It is important to consult with experienced growers regarding the dosage of various substances for each type of nut. When using drugs, carefully read the instructions for use.

Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in small portions, preferably not during the fruiting period, especially if the nut is young. In this case, nitrogenous fertilizers can cause bacteriosis. But phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are excellent for fertilizing, as they have a beneficial effect on the fruiting of the tree.

The applied fertilizers must not be left on the soil surface; they must be completely buried in the ground when digging or loosening.

Video "Stratification"

From the video you will learn how to properly stratify.