Since humanity learned about the walnut and its qualities, a lot has been said and written about it. Most likely, there will be nothing new in this publication either. However, the information presented in this article may be interesting, as it reflects, perhaps, the most necessary knowledge about this nut culture.
Walnut tree. A bit of history
Our ancestors learned about the healing properties of walnuts. In the medical industry, walnuts are used to produce various medicines. And also to create folk remedies that have epithelizing, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, anti-sclerotic, antihelminthic, tonic, hemostatic, fixing, astringent, laxative (root bark), wound healing and moderately sugar-reducing properties. Perhaps no other plant possesses such properties.
Even the priests of the ancient world, in particular Babylon, knew about the healing properties of the walnut tree. Its fruits have a beneficial effect on increasing intelligence. That is why the usewalnut for mere mortals was banned. An ordinary person should not, so to speak, know more than is necessary. Since then times have changed. Now everyone knows its taste. Even those who saw the walnut tree only in the picture. But if you think that the birthplace of the walnut is Greece, then this is a mistake. In fact, he came to us from Asia Minor. And now it has proven itself well in our latitudes.
What you need to know about the walnut?
Everyone knows that the walnut grows on a tree and that it is very useful. Does anyone know if it's a great stress reliever? According to researchers, those whose diet contains walnuts, or dishes cooked in their oil, due to the content of a large amount of polyunsaturated fats, helps the body cope with nervous shocks more easily, helping to relax muscles, normalizing blood pressure.
The walnut tree, almost all of its parts, is a natural remedy for many diseases. Use young twigs and pericarp, leaves and bark. However, the leaves of the walnut tree are most widely used. It is impossible to overestimate their usefulness in cosmetology and dermatological products. It is most expedient to harvest them during June, since then they contain 5% more vitamin C and other medicinal substances. Using a clean cloth or paper, the leaves are laid out in a thin layer in the sun and dried quickly. After drying, brown and blackened are thrown away. In August, the pericarp of unripe fruits is harvested. Walnut kernels should be kept peeled. This iswill keep them full of valuable substances longer.
The benefits of walnuts were described by Hippocrates and Avicenna (Ibn Sina). Ancient medicine used it to treat kidney disease, stomach indigestion, and more. There is evidence that even patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were cured. Oriental medicine considered the properties of the walnut to be beneficial for strengthening the brain, heart and liver.
Does anyone know the name of the walnut tree due to its uniqueness? The tree of life is what our ancestors called it. And this is fully deserved, since the ripened walnut fruit is saturated with a huge amount of vitamins. The greatest complex with biologically active substances and trace elements.
A ripe walnut kernel is characterized by a high content of trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, iron, iodine, potassium. As well as tannins, quinones, steroids, alkaloids and coratriterpenoids. Vitamins A, B, C, E, R.
Since the walnut kernel is 60% fat, most of which are unsaturated, it contains practically no cholesterol.
The human body needs such active elements as vitamin C, essential oils, carotene, folic acid, aldehyde, alkaloid and other useful ingredients.
Walnut Tree Leaves
So, there is a lot of all this in walnut leaves. However, a slightly larger amount of the same carotene, fiber, iron, cob alt, vitamin PP, B1, B3 hasunripe fruit. Whereas in its shell (precisely the green shell), the benefit lies in the high content of tannins, steroids, phenol carboxylic acids.
Walnut damage
The benefits of the walnut are undeniable. You can talk about them endlessly. The benefits and harms of a walnut tree cannot be put in one row. It is, without exaggeration, the king of the gifts of nature. But there is also a negative side that cannot be ignored, since the harm of a walnut, although significantly inferior to its benefits, can however be incommensurate with them danger.
So, point by point:
1. Promotes weight gain.
Walnuts are high in calories. One ounce of walnuts provides 190 calories of energy, 18 grams of fat and 4 grams of carbohydrates. Due to the high calorie content, it is not recommended to eat too many of them. The risk of weight gain associated with them is triggered when a person regularly eats too many nuts. Otherwise the product is good for weight loss.
According to a study by Sabat, it was found that people who ate about 35 grams of walnuts a day for a period of one year did not show any significant weight gain. This means that you can enjoy walnuts without worrying about gaining weight for quite some time, as long as you eat them in moderation. However, if a person is overweight and there are already enough calories in their diet, then it is better to be more careful. The high amount of fat present in walnuts also playssignificant role in weight gain.
2. May cause allergic reactions.
While walnuts have many he alth and beauty benefits, overeating them can cause allergic reactions in some people. Their expression varies from person to person. Some may experience minor allergic reactions, while others may experience severe allergic reactions.
Because of this, the risk associated with walnuts should be kept to a minimum and not consumed too much. And if you suffer from any allergic reactions, it is best to stop eating walnuts altogether and consult your doctor.
Some of the common symptoms of a nut allergy are itchy tongue and mouth, anaphylactic shock, hives, swelling of the throat, bronchial asthma, etc.
3. May cause rashes and swelling.
Eating walnuts is good for our skin, they smooth wrinkles and fine lines, reduce the risk of premature aging and keep the skin hydrated.
Despite there being so many benefits, beautiful women who link their diet to walnuts should eat them in moderation as overconsumption can cause swelling and rashes all over the body.
4. May cause diarrhea and poor digestion.
Walnuts are an excellent source of dietary fiber, and the presence of these fibers makes walnuts very beneficial for maintaining the he alth of our digestive system. And also the person feels relief fromconstipation and other digestive problems. However, dietary fiber can cause diarrhea and other stomach problems when consumed in excess. Because of this, the risk associated with dietary fiber increases. Therefore, it is better not to overeat nuts.
5. May cause nausea.
Walnuts are good in the sense that the antibodies present in allergens stimulate white blood cells and produce histamine in our body. Histamine is an organic compound that functions as part of the immune system, dilates blood vessels, regulates the physiological functions of the gut, and acts as a neurotransmitter.
But they are also bad in their own way, because histamine can worsen the condition to cause diarrhea and cause allergic reactions such as nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is important to note that these side effects occur when we eat too many walnuts. Therefore, it is safe to eat walnuts in small amounts.
6. Not safe for pregnant or lactating women.
Due to the risk of allergic reactions associated with walnuts (due to the presence of allergens), they are not considered safe for pregnant and lactating women and they should stay away from walnuts during these periods.
7. May cause lip cancer.
The antioxidants in walnuts make them very useful in reducing the risk of several types of cancer. Walnuts are also good for our skin and that is why they are used in many beauty products. Howeverapplying walnuts to the skin on a regular basis can cause lip cancer. This is a rare side effect of these fruits after long-term storage.
8. Not suitable for asthma patients.
Due to the high risk of allergic reactions associated with nuts, they are not considered safe for people with asthma as they can trigger attacks. Asthma is a very common and major respiratory disease. It affects millions of people around the world.
Asthma cannot be cured but can only be managed with proper diagnosis, monitoring, prevention and treatment. For this reason, asthma sufferers should stay away from eating walnuts.
9. May cause swelling of the throat and tongue.
Sometimes, allergic reactions can be very serious, and they can lead to swelling of the larynx, tongue, tonsils, and even the lungs. This condition can worsen and make breathing very difficult, requiring proper medical attention at the right time. The best way to avoid such a scenario is to play it safe and not eat walnuts if the human body is sensitive to them.
10. Walnut leaves can cause acne and pimples.
For some people, walnuts are a blessing, for others they are like a curse. This is a blessing for those who do not have allergies and who can enjoy all the benefits of the fruits, using their properties to achieve he alth and beauty. But those who are allergic to walnuts shouldstay away from their consumption.
Not only nuts, but even walnut leaves can cause allergic reactions. Topical application of walnuts leaves marks on the skin and can lead to acne, eczema, ulcers, and other skin infections. And for this reason, it is better to do a small patch test in advance.
Formation of hazel and planting seedlings
How to grow a walnut tree? This will be discussed below.
When starting to plant a hazel tree, at least three varieties of walnut trees should be planted. This is necessary to achieve maximum pollination between varieties, where the pollinated variety should be up to 5.0% and the pollinated 90%. At the same time, all varieties differ in fruiting characteristics.
When choosing seedlings and their varieties, you need to keep in mind how affordable they are to purchase. The fact is that each seedling can be grafted in different countries and adapted to a particular climate. Most often, seedlings for our climatic zone are grafted by Ukraine, Moldova, France, Hungary, and Russia. However, walnut trees that are completely resistant to frost and drought do not exist in principle. The reason for this is the centuries-old nature of their growth. It is most advisable to buy those varieties of seedlings that are bred for the climate of the place of their planting, that is, take into account the climatic factors of the area.
In order to avoid unpleasant consequences in growth and fruiting, you need to make sure the quality of the purchased seedlings. Such confirmation, as a rule, is the presence of a variety certificate andlicenses to sell them. Otherwise, you will most likely end up with poor quality seedlings and most likely not grafted.
Pre-landing preparations
In order for walnut plantations to produce a good harvest in the future, it is necessary, as mentioned above, to use only grafted zoned varieties of seedlings. The slope of the prepared area should be no more than 12 degrees. Before planting plowing begins, the soil should be fertilized with minerals and organic matter. After that, raise the planting with a PPU plow 50 by 60 centimeters (no less). The plow must be with a skimmer and have a hitch with harrows and an annular roller. It is advisable to use the T-130 tractor for this, since a wheeled tractor will not be able to perform such deep plowing.
In order for the earth to be saturated with nitrogen, the planting should be prepared 3-4 months before planting seedlings. The breakdown of the site should be done after leveling the soil and cultivation. Cultivation should be with harrows and rolling. Wire is specially prepared, on which marks are applied for distances between rows and trees in a row.
Landing
Before you start planting seedlings, their roots should be thoroughly wetted. Many walnut trees have only one main root - almost like a giant but skinny carrot. It should be left unharmed, even if its length prevents the seedling from being fully dug in. Plants need to be dug in to the same depth at which they grew in the nursery. The bare root will be noticeably different in color from the stem of the seedling. Tamp the soil firmly into the roots. And no matter howweird, add a shovel of mud. When the seedling hole is 3/4 full, add two buckets of water. The last bucket should be diluted with organic fertilizer and allowed to soak. If planting in autumn, fertilize in spring for best results. Finish filling hole.
The best way to succeed is to plan before you plant. Let's discuss location: do you know where you want to plant new walnut trees? Avoid many future problems by considering all aspects of the landing site. For example, cross-pollination with another variety of the same tree type is the key to success in many walnut trees. In most cases, its absence is the reason why walnut trees wither or develop poorly. Some walnut trees are self-pollinating but produce larger yields when pollinated by another variety.
Successfully selected site
As a general rule, walnut trees should be grown in a sunny location with well-saturated, fertile soil. Trees need six to eight hours of sunlight to avoid bad harvests and disease. Good drainage is essential to keep your trees happy. If the soil chosen for planting has a high clay content, use (as far as possible) coconut fiber cake for potting, or add one-third of peat to the soil at planting time. The properties of such a composition will well improve the quality of the soil and strengthen the root system.
The powerful development of the tree, as mentioned above, will provide good lightingand a large area for food. In other words, compliance with the correct planting pattern (number of seedlings per hectare). Varieties with an apical type of fruiting should be planted according to the 10 x 10 pattern. And those with a lateral type - according to the principle of 8 x 6 meters.
Proper adherence to the landing system
It directly depends on how much the walnut tree gives the next harvest. Planting hazel as a future garden is carried out by means of a pit, a hole digger or manually, depending on the allocated area. Each well should be 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.5 and prepared a month or two in advance. Already at the time of planting seedlings, all holes should be enriched with a reserve of nutrients by filling with fertilizers. If clearly diseased or damaged roots are visible, they should be cut with pruners. After that, the root system must be dipped in a clay-humus solution so that the earth sticks better.
Autumn planting
So you've decided to plant a walnut. Cultivation and care at different times of the year is carried out in different ways. During autumn planting, it is also necessary to form a mound at the base of seedlings from the ground, and then from sawdust, in order to prevent damage to the roots by low temperatures. At the same time, pruning to the crown is carried out only in the spring of next year.
In order for the tree to take root well on the new soil, three waterings should be made during the summer period. Pour 25 liters of water under each tree, then close the holes to retain moisture.
Crop yield per mature tree
I wonder how many walnuts from one tree you can collect? This question worries all beginner gardeners.
If you answer the question about future yields, then we can say with confidence that each tree of a he althy walnut garden will give an indicator of 30 to 50 kilograms per tree.
In other words, the yield per walnut tree will be 1-2 bags. Quite a few.
Collect the walnuts from the tree, preferably before the first snow falls. Collection is carried out when they are fully ripe, in the period from October to November. The outer part of the nut (soft shell) must not stick to the nut.
How a walnut tree looks without any defects can be seen in the photo above in this article.
