Learn to grow nuts in tropical and subtropical climates.
This course is for the curious grower who wants to learn more about types of warm climate nuts.
There are varieties looked at in this course you would never have known existed and there are cultural recommendations for some of the favourites. If you are planning to move to a tropical island and grow nuts, then look no further! If not, then you will be surprised at how much you will learn.
For most people, a nut is a type of food and a delightful food at that! Strictly speaking, not all nuts are edible; but this course is only concerned with edible nuts and in particular, the ones that are grown more extensively around the world in warm climates.
The tropical nut trees are dependent on your locality and conditions can vary quite considerably even in tropical areas, for example certain tropical areas may experience frosts. However there are so many varieties worth trying that it is worth learning about them all!
This course is designed as a detailed look at identification and culture of nuts in warmer climates. Emphasis is placed on species which are of horticultural value.
Course content
This course has eight lessons:
1. Introduction
Review of the system of plant identification, main groups of nuts, information contacts (i.e. nurseries, seed, clubs etc.)
2. Culture
Planting, staking, mulching, watering, pest & disease, feeding, pruning, protection from wind, salt air etc.
3. Propagation
This lesson looks at the methods of propagating this group of plants. There is information on propagation in general and on specific species.
4. The Macadamia
A species from Australia that has become popular for production in Australia, South Africa and Hawaii.
5. The Pecan
6. Other Varieties which Grow in Warm Climates
7. Selecting a site and planting a plot.
The most important aspect of cultivating nuts is the correct site for their cultural needs.
8. Growing, harvesting and using nuts.
There are various methods used and we look at some of those.
Duration: 100 Hours
What you will do:
Throughout lessons, you will:
- Identify different nut crop varieties.
- Learn about the classification of nuts.
- Learn about the cultural requirements of tropical nuts.
- Discover the characteristics of soils.
- Understand plant nutrition, plant health, watering techniques, environmental protection for your crops, and pest and disease management.
- Explore techniques for pruning and maintenance are reviewed.
- Learn how to successfully propagate nut trees; propagation from nut seeds and cuttings, grafting, layering, establishing rootstocks.
- Macadamia nut trees are looked at in detail.
- Pecan nut trees are looked at in detail.
- Other varieties of nuts such as Pistachio, Cashew, Almond, Brazil and many other varieties are also explored.
- Establishment and horticultural management of tropical nut trees is looked at.
- Learn about site selection for successful cultivation, planting techniques and factors affecting the selection of a site.
- Harvesting and storage of nuts is also reviewed.
Carya illinoinensis (The Pecan)
At times in the past, pecans have been classified as walnuts (i.e., Juglans sp.).
There are several other species of edible Caryas including:
• Carya tomentosa (White Hickory or Bullnut)
• Carya glabra (Redheart Hickory or Pignut)
• Carya carthagensis (Chinese Walnut)
• Carya illinoinensis is a well-known and established crop in the United States. They are also grown in Australia.
The mature pecan kernel is made up of:
• 72% oil (most is unsaturated oil)
• 11% protein
• 13% carbohydrate
• 3% moisture
There are around 3,600 calories per pound of kernels
Culture
They are deciduous trees which can grow up to 50 metres in height and 35 metres in diameter with a deep taproot (making transplanting very difficult).
In commercial plantations, trees are commonly spaced on a grid with 12 to 18 metres between trees. Some plantings are closer though, with trees being thinned out later on, if necessary. The time from planting to first commercial harvest is 4 5 years, and it will probably take up to 15 20 years before the crop reaches full production.
Pecans require a long, frost free growing season with hot days and warm nights to properly mature the nuts. The tree does however, require some winter chilling to overcome bud dormancy and permit proper vegetative growth in the Spring. For this reason, it is not adapted to tropical or sub-tropical regions. Pecan trees tolerate considerable winter cold without damage.
For good tree growth and top production pecans require a deep well drained, well aerated soil free of hardpan sub soil layers. It responds well to nitrogen fertilizers, continuous soil moisture from rain or irrigation is essential. A pH of 6 to 6.5 is optimum. They are very susceptible to zinc deficiency in the soil and may require several foliar sprays of Zinc Sulphate each year to keep them growing properly. Full sun and warmth are essential.
The trees are pruned to a modified central leader system initially after which little pruning is needed. Thinning is not required.
Pollination is carried out by the wind, and this can be impaired if there are periods of extended rain during this time. Bud burst is usually during October, and flowering commences 2 to 3 weeks after bud burst. The male catkins more commonly open before the female flowers. Pecans are monoecious and dichogamous. It is recommended to use a variety of cultivar to increase the rate of pollination.
If the trees are given more care and attention, cropping can become more even; but with less attention, there is a tendency for the trees to become biennial bearing (i.e. large crop one year and small the next).
Fruit production tends to be biennial. Productive life: 50-100 years.
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