Annual Ritual - Chestnut Seeds into the FRIDGE!!

For the 8th Year in a row, John gets started on the next Chestnut Orchard! We've documented the process before - this time, John is planting "Qing" Seedlings obtained from HARC in Missouri.

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

Hey John, Yep, it's that time of year again. I may run out of refrigerator space this year, lol. So I am sure you have taste tested different nuts from different trees, which one do you like best so far?

[@johnsangl]

That is a great question! I still have quite a few varieties yet to produce, but I'd say "Qing" or "Payne" seedlings have produced the best-tasting so far.

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

@@johnsangl same, I have only tasted a few also, but so far I would say Qing was the best tasting.

[@OurNewLand]

Thanks for the great info! I'm hoping to order seeds this week. Pike County's website is down right now, so I'm hoping they are updating their seeds for sale. I'm excited to try growing chestnut trees from seeds. Thanks again.

[@johnsangl]

Site is up now!

[@OurNewLand]

Thanks! I placed my order. I'm pumped!@@johnsangl

[@thechestnutking736]

I’m getting ready to plant 250 trees of a cross of Peach, Qing and Kohr. It’s being labeled as one of the best crosses to date.

[@johnsangl]

I have some “PQK” myself. They are doing pretty good. Good luck!

[@thechestnutking736]

@@johnsangl That’s great!

[@jimdent351]

Will grocery store chestnuts grow or have they been treated? If so, have I waited to long to try doing this?

[@johnsangl]

The chestnuts I’ve seen in stores are usually displayed in dry buns and many were moldy. If you have a better store situation, you could try growing them. Many of them are Castanea sativa and won’t have good blight resistance here in the US. (I’m assuming your location to be US). You might be ok on the West coast.

[@jimdent351]

@@johnsangl They're advertised as being from Italy. I'm in Canada and in an area that still has some surviving American Chestnut trees. I put 10 in the fridge today so I'll have to see if they work out. If not I'll look for some proper seeds next year. Thanks for the reply.

[@sandych33ks1]

Do you sell trees / seedlings in the spring or summer ? Or are these just for your own use expanding the orchard ? What type of tree loss do you have or expect ? I have close to 30 chestnut trees now and I haven't had any tree loos yet. I did have one eaten to a stump by a goat that escaped but it grew right back.

[@johnsangl]

I sell trees mostly in the Spring with a few sold during the summer. I'm only filling in where trees have died at this point. I'd guess I have had 20% tree loss after 8 years - they don't like the clay(it's wetter in a few areas), Voles eat their roots during the winter, a few die of blight and a few die from deer.

[@sandych33ks1]

@@johnsangl I have clay type of soil down deeper. My trees have been in the ground 3 and 4 years now. It hasn't killed them and they seem to be doing well. This year has been exceptionally wet. Any advice or input ? I have no deer issues. My biggest problem is Japanese beetles . They are brutal.

[@johnsangl]

@@sandych33ks1 Your trees should do well - nothing you can do about it. You'll just have to see how it goes as they grow. I'd bet they'll be ok. I just have a few areas that are unexpectedly wet so the trees suffer there.

[@sandych33ks1]

@@johnsangl Yes it is ridiculously wet this year. Thank you..

[@jovan584]

John I got one Question for you. For chestnuts seeds can I use some I bought it from chestnut farm for eating ?

[@johnsangl]

I’d ask the farm you bought them from, but I’d say they’re probably good for eating if they’ve been taken care of and not allowed to dry out.

[@bartondonald7147]

How do you get your wife to let you bring the dirt inside???😛

[@johnsangl]

Lots of begging off-camera!!!

[@bigbadra]

That's funny, my wife walked by while I was watching the video. I showed her that it's not just me that starts seeds in the kitchen.

[@kgmail32]

Freezes utube

[@johnsangl]

?

[@troydunn6228]

I just bought some of the seeds from Route 9 Empire select seeds. Supposed to have come orchard quality trees. Thank you for the demo

[@johnsangl]

They will do great. Have fun growing!

[@troydunn6228]

@@johnsangl thank you. Also bought some Jenny seedlings. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge

[@johnmatherne6823]

Can’t believe you still have more ground to plant. 👍👍

[@johnsangl]

I've stopped expanding the orchard footprint. I'm replacing dead seedlings and the rest go into a nursery bed and are sold.

[@johnrogers6442]

How did you manage to get seed nuts from HARC? I haven’t noticed them offering nuts in the past.

[@johnsangl]

A Facebook Group I belong to "Chestnuts as a tree crop - Castanea species nut trees" has a member (James Nave) that posted the sales link earlier this fall and I ordered them. The link is now dead. I'll try to post the link on my social media next year.

[@treflipsnare31]

Hello, I could not find any peat moss except miracle grow peat moss. Will this cause the seeds to not germinate? Thank you in advance for your time Thank you Frank.

[@johnsangl]

I think it would be fine.

[@treflipsnare31]

@@johnsangl Thank you for the response. I was hoping they’ll be okay. It says don’t use fertilizer all over the directions. Thanks again Sir.

[@thechestnutking736]

I’ve got a 165”-170” buck on camera. I’m on 6 days a week right now and plus trying to get these trees in ground I just don’t have time to get in the woods. Plus I’ve got about 500 to stratify

[@johnsangl]

I’ve never had a deer that big on camera on my farm. Lots of pressure where I’m at, anything 120”+ is really good around here. Make some time to get in the woods.

[@thechestnutking736]

@@johnsangl Trying to make time but just don’t have it