Chestnut is a thermophilic deciduous plant with decorative qualities and is a real decoration of the site from spring to late autumn. Wide mosaic leaves about 25 cm long, flowers - pyramids of a white hue and green thorny capsules with brown round fruit-seeds - these are the main features of chestnut.
The forested areas of the Balkan Peninsula are considered the birthplace of this beautiful tree. And today the chestnut can be found not only in its native territory, but also in Greece, the countries of North America and in the southern regions of Russia. Among the small family of this culture (there are about 25 species), the most popular are “Myasokrasny” and “Horse ordinary” chestnuts. These two species have long been a decorative ornament among many plants. Chestnuts are planted on streets and boulevards, on central city alleys and in public gardens; they can be found in every park and other public places.
Nature lovers plant chestnuts in the garden plots as well. True, it must be borne in mind that in the future, an adult plant will occupy a large space in the garden. It can not only grow in height from 10 to 20 meters, but with age it will create a dense shadow in the garden thanks to its lush crown. In addition, the tree is considered an individualist, it prefers to grow in a space free from other representatives of the flora. He needs space. Neighborhood with other plants will not cause much harm to the chestnut, but harmonious development will not work.
Growing chestnuts from seeds
A favorable time for planting chestnut seeds is September or October, as well as early spring. The planting site must be chosen permanent, meaning that not only a seedling, but also an adult chestnut will grow on it in the future.
The landing site should be open and sunny, in exceptional cases - partial shade. The soil is fertile.
Selection and preparation of seeds
Seeds should be stored in high humidity conditions at 2 to 6 degrees Celsius. The coarse and dense shell of the seeds is almost impervious to water and is difficult to germinate, so they must be prepared for sowing. For this, the seed is placed in a moist substrate in a room with a temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius and left for germination for about 3-4 months.
Planting seeds
Planting is carried out after stratification, the seeds are planted in the soil to a depth of 6 to 10 cm. Approximately 30-40 days later, the first shoots should appear. If desired, a young tree at the age of 2-3 years can be transplanted to another (more open and spacious) place.
Planting and caring for chestnut seedlings
It is much easier and safer to grow a chestnut from a seedling. It is recommended to purchase seedlings in specialized stores. An open sunny area with fertile soil is an ideal place to plant it. In an area with partial shade lighting, the chestnut will not bloom in full force, and its decorative possibilities will be limited.
Caring for a young tree consists of:
- in regular and timely watering;
- in timely feeding.
Watering is carried out plentiful, but only during dry summer days with a long absence of rainfall.During the rest of the year, there will be enough natural moisture (rain or snow) as a soil moisturizer in the chestnut tree trunk circle. Fertilizers are applied together with irrigation water. It is necessary to feed the tree once every 2-3 years with fertilizers recommended for deciduous trees.
Simple care and a minimum of time and effort will help you grow a tree that will become a real garden decoration.
