Monday, August 5, 2013

Nut development: 5 August 2013



   I made my way across our water soaked pecan grove this morning to collect a few nuts to check on nut development. No drought problems this year! My feet are still wet.
   Osage is currently close to full water stage (photo above). Kanza has about 3/4 water, while Maramec is only 1/4 water. We are still 2 weeks late in terms of normal timing for nut development. During most years, Osage starts kernel deposition during the first week of August. This year, late ripening cultivars (like Maramec) will need an unusally long, warm Fall in order to shuck split normally before our first freeze.