Last year we had a reasonable harvest from our Kent cob.
To be honest this came as a bit of a surprise as really I never expected a harvest.
To produce nuts the bush has to produce both male and female flowers. The males produce the pollen on long catkins. The immature catkins were already in evidence last September.
They have now matured into the long lamb's tail like male flowers loaded with pollen.
I had to look this up! Apparently, it might reference pig nuts or ground nuts which are harvested in May! Or, it could be a corruption of Knots in May, meaning hawthorn flowers. Always learning!
I have been thinking about buying a native hedge pack for my boundary. A Cobnut is included in the variety, and this is making me think more than ever about it. Great photos too!
They'll fruit but maybe now as well, Kent ir Kentish cobnuts are a type of hazel and I just wonder whether they are using the name to refer to native hazel. If so you could just add a couple of Kent cons as the hazel will help with pollination.
I used to pick these nuts (which I always think of as hazel nuts) when I was a kid. The taste is so much better than that of the bought ones that it more than makes up for the smaller size.
It was very interesting reading this post and looking at the photos. I learnt about it years ago at biology lesson at school, but somehow (?) forgot all about it. :)
Ah that's interesting sue. I've got catkins on mine but will also have a look for the female flowers. I was in a while food shop in the city yesterday and overheard someone saying how there'd been a bad hazel harvest in Europe last year so they're v expensive at the moment....a good time to have your own supply!
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They have now matured into the long lamb's tail like male flowers loaded with pollen.
Posts
Did you "go gathering nuts in May"?
ReplyDeleteI wonder which hemisphere that refers to, Mark- definitely not here,
DeleteI had to look this up! Apparently, it might reference pig nuts or ground nuts which are harvested in May! Or, it could be a corruption of Knots in May, meaning hawthorn flowers. Always learning!
DeleteInteresting - I've always wondered what that saying meant.
DeleteIsn't ground nut another name for peanut - do they grow in the UK. Actually I did grow some once indoors when I was teaching
DeleteYou should have a fantastic harvest this year after all the wind we've had. The female flowers do look like sea anemones.
ReplyDeleteUnless it has blown so hard the pollen blew too far, Jo :)
DeleteI have been thinking about buying a native hedge pack for my boundary. A Cobnut is included in the variety, and this is making me think more than ever about it. Great photos too!
ReplyDeleteIs it a Kent cob - Deb?
DeleteAh, that I cannot say, so am assuming that as you have asked the variety included might not fruit {or nut?} ? Will check that out. Thanks Sue!
DeleteThey'll fruit but maybe now as well, Kent ir Kentish cobnuts are a type of hazel and I just wonder whether they are using the name to refer to native hazel. If so you could just add a couple of Kent cons as the hazel will help with pollination.
DeleteHow long did it take for your tree to start producing nuts and do the trees stay a reasonable size, Sue?
ReplyDeleteWe bought ours in 2011 SandD and last year was the first real harvest, It is a variety of hazel and so can be pruned hard,
DeleteThanks - might have to source one of these for the allotment.
DeleteIt's really new for me.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that we can introduce one another to new things Endah.
DeleteGood luck with the pollination. And that flower really does look like a little anemone.
ReplyDeleteThere's been no lack of wind to hopefully do the trick Daphne.
DeleteI used to pick these nuts (which I always think of as hazel nuts) when I was a kid. The taste is so much better than that of the bought ones that it more than makes up for the smaller size.
ReplyDeleteHi Patsy, They are hazelnuts - the Kent cob is a particular type ofhhazelnut which I think has been developed to produce better nuts,
DeleteIt was very interesting reading this post and looking at the photos. I learnt about it years ago at biology lesson at school, but somehow (?) forgot all about it. :)
ReplyDeleteA refresher course then, Aga :)
DeleteWhat a fascinating process!!! The female parts are so alien looking, like octopus arms! Nature is amazing isn't it?xxx
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is Dina
DeleteAh that's interesting sue. I've got catkins on mine but will also have a look for the female flowers.
ReplyDeleteI was in a while food shop in the city yesterday and overheard someone saying how there'd been a bad hazel harvest in Europe last year so they're v expensive at the moment....a good time to have your own supply!
Indeed., Lou To be honest they came as a nice surprise.
Delete