Description
The seeds for this product can only be shipped to customers in Canada. No USA or overseas delivery.
Juglans nigra (Black Walnut) Seeds
Zone: 4 to 9.
Native to eastern North America.
Black walnut is a handsome and valuable tree, cultivated as a forest tree for its high-quality wood and edible nuts. It is a long-lived tree, sometimes exceeding 200 years in age. It prefers full sun and grows best in soil that is deep, fertile, and moist but well-drained. It has a medium growth rate of 1 to 2 feet per year. The Black Walnut is a member of the Juglans family. Its roots produce a substance named juglone that is toxic to various plants. The production of juglone is a protective response by the tree to assure its survival. Hence do not plant other plants under the canopy of the Black walnut tree.
Size: Height 50 to 75 ft; Width 50 to 75 ft.
Nuts have a short shelf life so it is best to plant immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to plant.
Germination Instructions
Stratification: Black walnut nuts require 90 to 120 days cold, moist stratification at 3° C (37° F) to 5° C (41° F).
- The seeds are mixed with moist peat moss at delivery. Upon receipt make several small holes in the bag to allow contents to breath and refrigerate. Do not freeze.
- Occasionally every few weeks open bag; if the peat moss is drying out spray some water inside and mix. Do not soak – there should be no standing water.
- In spring (late April to early May) sow the seeds 3 inches deep either in the ground or in deep pots.
- 2 litre milk cartons with holes at the bottom for drainage are excellent for potting.
- If a radicle (root) has emerged from the seed at the time of the planting gently place it pointing downward. Be careful not to break the root. If there is no radicle present then the orientation of the seed in the ground does not really matter. The seed will orient itself naturally upon germinating.
- Protect seeds from squirrels and other animals. Use chicken wire fence or similar protection.
- Water regularly to keep soil moist. The seed can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months or more to germinate.
- If the seedlings are potted, transplant them to the desired location in late summer or autumn.
- Protect seedlings from animals until established. Remove weeds from planting site.
Note: In late winter to spring inspect the seed mix weekly in case any seeds are sprouting early in the bag. If this should happen the seed should be removed from the bag and planted in a pot as per instructions above. If it’s too cold outside, grow the seedling inside by a window or under fluorescent light and move outdoors when danger of frost has subsided.
Alternately, you can just direct sow the seeds in the ground in autumn before the ground freezes. Protect the pot or site from squirrels or other animals that may discover and eat the seeds.
