Walnut Placentia dormancy (forum)

Becca starts with ...
When should the Walnut Placentia come out of dormancy from winter? It is in a pot (was going to plant it out once it threw new growth) next to a couple of pecans in pots which are going crazy. How do I know if it's dead or not? Any help much appreciated.

Time: 8th October 2019 6:17pm

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About the Author Becca
NSW
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brad16 says...
Hi Becca. I have a few Walnut varieties on the NSW Central Coast and also in northern NSW. At both of these locations, they are very slow to break dormancy and they have quite a short growing period. Over the 4 years or so I've had them, they haven't really done that much for me. Admittedly they aren't really what I'd call established trees so I don't know how'd they be after 10 years or so (when I'd be hoping for a bit more from them).

Edit (later this afternoon):

After I went home, I noticed a Howard walnut had broken dormancy, but at the moment it is only one tree. I also have some pecans, and like you they look as though winter never happened, so don't worry too much about the walnut just yet.

An aside on the walnuts though, my walnuts in northern NSW have never done very well. No Franquette I ever planted survived and all the others struggled. I wasn't always there though, and so they had to fend for themselves through some pretty tough times. You may have more luck if you nurture yours, at least until they become well established and acclimatise to your area. Shield them from hot dry winds. Once they start going downhill they will not likely recover.

Walnuts are a bit 'dead looking' while dormant, but if the buds still have good shape and an even, light colour, they should be ok. An actual dead walnut shrinks in size and the colour gets a bit darker. Also the 'peach like fur' should still look even and healthy, like an apple's bud or peach fur.

I've tried Chandler, Franquette, Placentia, Howard, Chandler and Black walnuts. They've all been difficult to keep in the top half of NSW.

Time: 10th October 2019 10:38am

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Original Post was last edited: 10th October 2019 4:34pm
About the Author brad16
GOROKAN,2263,NSW
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Becca says...
Thanks for that Brad. You've given me hope that it lives!! :-)

Time: 10th October 2019 4:35pm

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About the Author Becca
NSW
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brad16 says...
Hi Becca,

My walnuts are now breaking dormancy.
Hope you've got some action now.
I feel your pain when it comes to unfamiliar dormant trees ... can be nerve racking for the first year or two until you become familiar with them.

Best of luck.

Time: 20th October 2019 11:39am

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About the Author brad16
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John Mc says...
My Placentia is going gangbusters now, third year, over 6ft tall, straight up, single leader, looking good.

Time: 24th October 2019 7:38am

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About the Author JohnMc1
Wallarah
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