The birthplace of hazelnuts is Asia Minor. However, this plant can now be found all over the world, in the Caucasus and in Russia, in Canada and Europe, in America. Where does hazelnut grow in Russia? In the wild, the easiest way to find this tree in the Perm region, in the Southern Urals and in other regions. On the territory of our country, you can find four species of this plant:
- ordinary variety;
- Manchurian;
- variegated;
- tree or bear nut.
The most common species is the common hazel.
Botanical Description
Common hazel belongs to the Berezov family. Applying the term hazelnut to this plant is somewhat wrong. If you translate it from the Turkic language, where it came from, then the word "hazelnut" means "nut". But hazel is still considered a shrub, monoecious, with dioecious flowers. Nevertheless, it is it that has taken root and is used among the common man in the world.
This is a wind-pollinated plant. Flowering occurs in the spring until the leaves appear. Depending on where hazelnuts grow in Russia, flowering begins. It can be March, April or May.
The appearance of edible nuts is associated exclusively with the growth of two genetically different trees next to each other, that is, they can appear only when cross-pollinated. The period of the appearance of the fruit falls around August-October.
This is a large shrub, which by the age of 30 can reach 15 meters in height and above.
Soil requirements
No matter where hazelnuts grow in Russia, the plant is not demanding on the soil. It tolerates light and clay soil equally well. However, better results can be achieved on permeable and moist soils that contain a lot of nutrients. The plant can grow on soils where there is little moisture, but then the yield will be minimal and hazelnuts can suffer from frost.
It is not recommended to transplant an already adult plant, it may not tolerate this.
Hazelnuts themselves are mycorrhizal plants. That is, the roots of the plant grow well with a number of fungi that form at the tips of the root. Mycorrhiza improves the process of assimilation of nutrients from the soil. For this purpose, if hazel is grown artificially, when planting, it is necessary to sprinkle soil near the trunk with mycorrhizal earth. It can be taken on any forest site where hazel, oak or spruce grow.
What does the fetus look like
Hazelnuts are edible fruits that have the shape of a nut or hazel surrounded by a leaf-like wrapper. This wrapper has a serrated shape and is formed from the bracts of a female flower.
The shape of the common hazel fruit can vary greatly depending on where the hazelnuts grow. It can be a rounded nut with a thick shell, or very thin, small or large. And the color of the shell varies from light to dark brown.
How much does the bush live?
In the early years, a wild plant grows very slowly. The first flowering occurs in 11 years. From this moment, rapid growth begins.
If we talk about cultivated shrubs and newly bred, most varieties begin to bear fruit already for 3-5 years. Although commodity bearing fruit often occurs in the sixth year. The total life of hazelnuts is about 80-90 years.
What are the fruits of hazel valued?
They appreciate the fruits of hazel not only where hazelnuts grow in Russia, but also in all countries of the world. It is a highly nutritious food product. One nut contains about 18% protein, minerals and vitamins, the remaining 72% contains fat.
Pasta and oil are made from the fruits of the bush, reminiscent of almond to taste. Hazelnut oil is widely used not only for cooking culinary dishes, but also in painting, perfumery and in the manufacture of paints and varnishes on an industrial scale. This is due to the fact that the oil dries quickly and does not change color.
Halva is prepared from the fruit cake. And the leaves and bark, the wrapper of the fruits of the bush are used in alternative medicine, since they have a high content of tannins, about 10-15%.
Growing hazelnuts in central Russia is practiced not only for the production of nuts, but also to strengthen the soil on the slopes of ravines and beams. The bush has a huge number of root branches, which both support the soil and prevent landslides. Hazel bushes are often used for green hedges and garden plantings. They grow well next to needles and in mixed plantings.
Varietal variety
Today in the world there are many popular varieties. Of these, we can distinguish:
- Contorta Often used for decorative purposes, as it has a twisted trunk and branches, which gives the shrub a fabulous look.
- Atropurpurea. A distinctive feature of the bush is red and purple fruits and leaves.
- Alba-variegata. Hazel leaves have a white edging or specks.
- Pendula. The variety, which can also be found in ornamental gardens and in personal plots. Gardeners love this shrub for branches that sink to the ground like birch branches.
Habitat
In the wild, hazelnuts grow in the Middle East, in the European part and in the Caucasus. The plant can be found even in the northern part of the planet - in Norway. Beyond the Arctic Circle, hazelnuts grow at 68 degrees s. sh., in the reserve Prestegordskugen.
What varieties grow in our country
Hazelnuts grow in Russia almost everywhere and it is estimated that about a million hectares are occupied under it. Most of the wild shrubs of hazel grows in the Leningrad, Perm, Novgorod and Vologda regions.
Wild shrubs, depending on the area of growth, have a different degree of winter hardiness, so it is recommended to use local planting material for growing on your personal plot.
Based on where hazelnuts grow in Russia, the necessary variety is selected, which is suitable for growing in a particular area. And considering that the bush on the territory of our country is ubiquitous, the cultivation of hazelnuts can be not only fun, but also a profitable business. Today, Turkey is the world leader in the supply of hazelnuts, however, there are many horticultural farms in our country engaged in the cultivation of this plant and the cultivation of new varieties adapted to different climatic zones, taking into account regionalization. Moreover, for growing hazel, you can use soils that cannot be used for growing other garden and field crops. The plant can be formed in the form of trees, or left in a bush form.
Hazelnut cultivation in central Russia is mainly based on varieties cultivated by academician A.S. Yablokov. On his account a whole series of shrubs: Severny, No. 40, 42, 9, 31 and 14.
On the territories of the Tambov, Moscow and Tula regions, varieties are mainly grown, which R. F. Kudasheva was engaged in breeding. Of the most popular varieties can be distinguished:
- Smolin;
- Ekaterina;
- Masha;
- Moscow ruby;
- Firstborn and others.
The subject of growing hazelnut varieties in central Russia was also dealt with by the NGO Funduk. They gave our country the following varieties: Purple, Kudrayf, Moscow early, Pushkin red and Sugar.
Southern, Northern and Western Regions
A great contribution to the cultivation of hazelnuts for cultivation in the south of the country was made by the N.A. Tkhagushev Kuban State University, its experts presented our gardeners with the following varieties: Panakhesky, Adygei 1 and Cherkess 2.
In the south, the Futkuri variety, which grows in Georgia, is taking root well.
Many suitable varieties have also been grown for the north-west of our country: Ivanteevka, Michurinsky, Moscow early. These varieties are suitable for growing shrubs in the European part of Russia.
Growing hazel
In addition to planting seedlings, quite often in our country, planting material is formed through the rooting of near-stem shoots. A method of rooting non-woody shoots is also used, although the rooting coefficient in this method is not very high.
For cultivation on an industrial scale, it is recommended to use seedlings obtained by microclonal propagation in vitro. If the seed is properly treated, the survival rate is 100%.
Choosing a place to plant shrubs
How to grow hazelnuts in central Russia? If we are talking about a plain or a plot with a slope of not more than 150 degrees, then ordinary soil is required. If the groundwater is high, you will have to make a drainage system.
When landing on the slopes, it is recommended to choose the north-eastern, north-western and northern slopes. The essence of this is to suspend earlier flowering and prevent flowers from freezing in spring frosts, as well as their death from temperature extremes. Terraces are not required on the slopes, but should be planted along the natural slope.
If the weather in the region is arid and windy, then you will have to take measures to protect against winds and organize regular watering.
It should also be borne in mind that hazelnuts do not like partial shade and shadow, so it is better to plant a plant on the edge of the site.
Is it possible to grow hazel from walnut?
How to grow hazelnuts in Russia on their personal plot? If it is not possible to purchase plant seedlings, then it is quite possible to grow a bush from a nut.
For planting, only the best fruits should be used, ripe and not damaged. They should be planted immediately after harvest and in large quantities.
For planting, they dig a hole to a depth of 8 centimeters, in which fertilizers are first put. Throughout the year, weeds should be carefully harvested and watered. After 12 months, a seedling should appear with a height of about 15 centimeters. If the plant is smaller, then you still have to wait a year.
The main thing to understand is that, most likely, after the bush has grown, it will lose its varietal characteristics, so you still have to vaccinate the desired hazel variety.
Harvest Rules
Depending on the region of growth, hazelnuts completely ripen by the end of August - early September. It is possible to determine that the fruits are ready for collection by the characteristic yellowish or brown color of the wrapper, and the fruits themselves begin to fall off.
The most optimal period for harvesting is considered the time when, when shaking the bush, the nuts not only fall off, but also fall out of the plus.
