Useful properties for the body from pecans. Pecan - a nut for the middle lane and northern regions

Now that exotic plant seeds are available and sold in stores, many gardeners have become addicted to growing tropical plants. This is done in order to obtain unusual and bright colors, ornamental greenery or fruits. Not so long ago, seeds of the hickory tree, known as pecans, appeared on the shelves of flower shops. Is it possible to grow pecans with us? If you live in southern latitudes, then yes, but if you live in places with a colder climate and harsh winters, then it is unlikely. Before setting out to grow a pecan at home, you need to familiarize yourself with the botanical features of this plant.

are the fruits of the hickory tree, which have a high nutritional value. Hickory is native to North America, although it is now successfully grown in the Caucasus and Kazakhstan. In Russia, hickory is cultivated only as an ornamental plant in moderately cold regions.

The hickory tree reaches a height of 35 to 50 meters, has a regular spherical shape and valuable wood. Hickory has a taproot that goes deep into the ground. Seedlings are extremely sensitive, and can die if the root is injured, so I often use grafting for propagation, white pecan acts as a stock. Hickory trees are heterosexual, that is, only female flowers grow on one tree, and only male flowers on the other.

These characteristics are quite enough to understand how possible it is to grow pecans at home. It is unlikely that you will be able to place a fifty-meter giant with a powerful rhizome and a massive crown in the house. And in order for the tree to begin to bear fruit, it is necessary to grow a second one, for successful pollination.

The conclusion is this: growing pecans at home is impossible, and on the site only if you live in an area with mild winters. Some hybrid varieties of pecans allegedly tolerate cold snaps down to -36, but in practice they hopelessly freeze out.

If it is possible to grow pecans in open field, then it is better to use seedlings, and not grow a pecan from a nut. But there is one minus - it is difficult and expensive to get seedlings, and hickory seeds are sold in supermarkets and flower shops. Specially germination of pecans is not produced, they are sown in the soil before winter, without prior stratification. It is better to sow several nuts at once, as pecans do not differ in good germination.

As for the care of seedlings and young plants, their roots must be constantly moistened, and the soil well fertilized. The seedling must be tied to a support and provided with good watering. For less evaporation of moisture, the soil around is recommended to be mulched. From time to time pruning of the upper branches is carried out. Under favorable conditions, hickory will begin to bear fruit as early as the fifth year after planting.

The pecan tree is a tall deciduous tree with large fruits. It reaches a height of 60 meters, grows in loose soil with abundant moisture. This plant gives healthy and nutritious nuts, which are widely used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology.

Pecan tree: description

The pecan tree is a member of the Hickory genus, Nut family. This plant is considered a close relative of the walnut. Its homeland is North America. The climate of the continent is suitable for growing and cultivating trees.

The maximum tree height is 60 meters. The life expectancy of the plant is 400 years, during which time the plant actively bears fruit. The pecan tree has a wide spreading crown, with a diameter of up to 40 m. The leaves are round, smooth and dense. Flowers are male and female, formed exclusively at the ends of young shoots. In a favorable climate, the flowering process begins in May and ends in early June. Pollination and reproduction process occurs mainly with the help of wind.

The fruits of the plant are of particular importance. They are valuable source vitamins, trace elements and nutrients. They are widely used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology. Nuts fill the body nutrients, help to cope with many diseases and restore the structure of the skin and hair.

Habitat and distribution

Not many people know where the pecan grows. This is due to the lack of plantations in Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former USSR. The plant is native to North America. Large plantations are fixed along the banks of the Mississippi River. This is due to the optimal conditions for growth and reproduction.

The largest plantings can be found in the southeastern part of the United States and Central Asia. Main export useful fruits carried out directly from these territories. AT Russian Federation insignificant plantings of the plant are recorded in the Crimea and the Caucasus. The tree has no industrial significance.

How to grow your own pecan

The pecan tree can theoretically be grown on its own. However, for this action, it is necessary to follow a certain algorithm and create for the plant optimal conditions. Thus, the process of propagation of culture is carried out by seed and vegetative methods.

Plant fruits. Nuts that have fallen to the ground are considered ripe and suitable for sowing. Small grooves are made in the ground, the depth of which is 10 cm. Nuts are sown in the resulting holes. A distance of 1 m must be observed between the seeds. In the spring, all seedlings sprout, to a single one.

At the end of April, seeds can be sown, having previously stratified. Before that, they must be soaked for two days in water and then sent to wet sawdust. The substrate must always be moist, and the ambient temperature should not exceed 4 degrees. Transplantation is carried out in a warm sunny place where there is no stagnant moisture. If the nuts are immediately planted in a permanent place, it must be filled with compost.

For the first time, the tree grows very slowly, during this period the root system grows. By the age of three, the height of the plant does not exceed 50 cm. When this parameter is reached, the sprout can be transplanted to a permanent habitat. Pecan care is thorough, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the soil and water the plant abundantly. Young seedlings need protection, feeding and watering. The first fruiting is fixed 10 years after planting.

The main feature of the culture is the lack of predisposition to diseases. Nuts are not touched by the codling moth, so their shells are always whole. Visually, they look like olives, which is why pecans are often called olive nuts.

Growing an exotic plant in your own summer cottage is not an easy process. A tree requires certain conditions, attitudes and care. This culture is subject only to patient people, it must be constantly replanted and monitor the condition of the soil. In gratitude for all the work, the tree will thank with a large harvest.

In our country, the fruits of this plant are considered exotic product. They lead among all nuts in terms of content. useful substances are considered to be among the most sought after in the world. Learn about the beneficial properties and contraindications of the fruits of this plant.

What is a pecan

Carya illinoinensis belongs to the genus Hickory, family Walnut. This tree is also called chocolate nut, Kariya pekan, Kariya Illinois, Pecan ordinary. This plant is the owner huge amount healing properties, affects the improvement of many systems of the human body, appetite, benefits both men and women. Housewives use the fruit for baking (looks like a walnut), side dishes, add to coffee.

Where does it grow

North America is considered the birthplace of Pecan, where they are grown everywhere. To this day, the fruit makes up the bulk of the diet of the local population. Chocolate-flavoured nuts are prepared both on an ordinary day and for special occasions. festive feasts. In addition to the American mainland, pecans grow in Central Asian countries, in the Caucasus, on the Crimean coast.

How it grows

In the first years of life, the pecan tree grows slowly: during this period, the root system builds up. In a year, the seedling grows by 30 cm, by the age of three it reaches a height of 0.5 meters, and only after that it is transplanted to a permanent place. The plant loves a lot of sun, and abundant watering is necessary. Grows well in loose, fertile soil. Young seedlings are shown constant feeding, protection from weeds. Seedlings begin to bear fruit in the 10th year of life and up to three hundred years, and the average height is forty meters.

What does a pecan look like

Appearance this exotic fruit is ambiguous: to some it looks more like an olive fruit, and to someone a hazelnut. But the kernel is very similar to a walnut, so it is considered a close relative, the only difference is the taste: in the described fruit it is softer, with a taste of chocolate. Due to the lack of internal partitions and structural features of the shell, pecans are not interesting for pests.

Health Benefits of Pecans

In the fruits of this plant, the fat content reaches 72% per 100 grams of product, protein - 15%, carbohydrates - 15%, ash - about 5%, water is also 5%. This plant contains:

• vitamin K;
• vitamins B;
• vitamin C;
• vitamin A (helps improve night and twilight vision);
• vitamin E (gamma-tocopherol).

Contains minerals: magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, folic acid, phosphorus, copper. Is different high content fiber and vegetable fats that do no harm to the body, but only benefit. Useful properties of pecan nuts contribute to:

• lowering cholesterol in atherosclerosis;
• prevention of coronary heart disease;
• increase in hemoglobin with beriberi;
• improvement of the reproductive system;
• treatment of the hormonal system, varicose veins;
• reduce the formation of cancerous tumors and help with anemia;
• treatment of the cardiovascular system.

Due to the presence of antioxidant properties, the aging process slows down, vision improves, fatigue is relieved, toxic and toxic substances are removed from the blood. Modern scientists have already expressed their opinion that nuts treat cancer. But excessive use of this product can be harmful: it appears headache, allergies, disruption gastrointestinal tract.

With caution, the use of fruits that look like walnuts should be taken by people with overweight who have liver problems, a tendency to allergic reactions. In addition to fruits, oil is actively used, which has successfully shown itself in the fight against skin diseases (hematomas, psoriasis, fungal infections). It is especially recommended to use oil for the elderly and those who have weak immunity and need to stretch the body after the winter. Oil pressed from the fruit of this tree is used for Chinese massage.

pecan calories

At high calorie pecan adult, strong man needs to eat four hundred grams of kernels to satisfy the feeling of hunger and feel full. After all, long ago the Indians who inhabited the territory of the American continent, for a long time did without meat, living on nuts alone. They also prepared a special pecan milk, rubbing the fruits and mixing with water. In 100 grams of this nut there are 690 kcal, this should be taken into account by those who are on a diet or seek to reduce body weight in another way.

Video

I had scant knowledge of what a pecan was. What are the benefits and harms - I didn’t even think about it. Quite by chance, a small article in the local newspaper caught my eye. So much has been written about the benefits of pecans! Interested. Pecan is little known among us, since the industrial cultivation of this walnut tree we are practically uncommon. Mostly pecan grows in the south of our country, but it is quite frost-resistant, so it can be grown further north. Once I saw on the shelves small bags of pecan kernels brought from the USA were very expensive. Compared with walnut taste pecans are softer, more buttery. I liked.

Photo of pecan fruit on a tree

What are beneficial features pecans?

Nuts have been part of the human diet for many, many centuries. When the Almighty created our unique planet for Man, He insured this super-intelligent but weak creature for all occasions. He created man as a complex of all trace elements, substances found on Earth. There are plants that are inseparable from human existence, like a reserve train in times of crisis to support or save him. These are nuts, among which pecan is in the first place.

Calorie content, variety of nut fruits is exceptionally high! AI Vavilov very aptly called them "the bread of the future." Yes, indeed, the kernels of any nuts contain a lot of first-class fat, protein, carbohydrates, almost the entire group of vital vitamins, trace elements, and other substances. It turns out that nuts are bread with butter, cocoa, fruits at the same time.

But I would call this beautiful creation a great healer. Almonds improve the functioning of the stomach, reanimate the performance of the brain, heart, liver, kidneys. improves vision, which is important for everyone over 40. It also, like the enemy of atherosclerosis, improves the functioning of the brain, lungs (for asthma).

A pecan is a collection of these nuts. He deserves special attention.

Where does the pecan grow?

The long-fruited pecan (carya illinoensis N) comes from the Mississippi Valley (North America). They have long paid attention to it as a valuable culture, harmoniously including everything necessary for life support. human body, which does not require special costs for growing, storing fruits. Industrial cultivation of this crop is significant in the Southeastern United States, where pecan pie and pralines are traditional sweets.

In Russia, the pecan settled at the dawn of the 20th century, starting from the Black Sea coast. It is from that period that the Sochi alley of pecans (Research Institute of Horticulture) traces its history. A little later, his seedlings appeared in the Adler park-arboretum "Southern Cultures".

The height of trees can reach up to 50 m with a crown width of up to 40 m. The trunk of a tree at the base reaches a diameter of up to 3 m. A hollow of such a tree in bad weather can cover the rider along with the horse. Young trees freely withstand frosts down to -30°C, so it is not surprising that the long-fruited walnut began to quickly move north.

There are many varieties of pecan at the Adler variety testing site. As the best varieties, Uspek, Indiana, Stuart, and others have become widespread. They already grow in groups on the northern slope of the Caucasus Range, in the Stavropol Territory, the Rostov Region, Ukraine, and Moldova. But industrial value does not exist in these areas. It is not on the shelves, except that there are bags brought from other countries.

Unpaired compound pecan leaves up to 50 cm long. According to its characteristics, the pecan is close to the walnut, because this plant is also dioecious, monoecious, which is very important for its survival. Male staminate catkin flowers hang on two-year-old shoots. And pistillate females are formed in bunches on the shoots of the current year. Usually flowering occurs at the end of spring and beginning of summer, which is not dangerous when spring frosts in the North Caucasus.

Pecans ripen in September-October, crumble like walnuts. It is the crumbled fruits that are considered ripe. The fruit is a drupe weighing 12-20 g. Due to the variety, the shape of the pecan nut varies from elongated-spherical to elongated oval, 3-6 cm long, 1-2 cm in diameter. The pecan kernel is golden brown on the outside, beige inside. The shell is smooth, clean, free from convolutions, cracks, holes, mold. Unshelled nuts should be heavy for their size. The nucleus is similar in shape to the nuclei of walnut, but the convolutions are, as it were, smoother, there are no partitions, i.e. the pecan kernel is easily removed whole from the shell. If unpeeled pecans rattle when shaken, it may mean that the inside is dry and unfit for eating.

It depends on the type of pecan nut whether it is difficult to crack it or not. I came across nuts brought from Sochi. Not large, rather, even smallish. It was hard to break them apart. The shell was quite thick. And the core is small. You apply a lot of force - the core is soft-boiled. If you strike lighter, the nut will remain whole. But judging by the reviews, there are varieties with a thin shell. Such pricks are not difficult.

The shell of a pecan nut has neither a slit nor a hole (like, for example, a walnut). This is both a plus - pests, different bugs cannot penetrate inside, and it is also a minus - it is difficult to split if the shell is thick.

Sometimes I met questions why a pecan is sold cracked. Haven't seen any replies yet. But I think I can answer it.

The reason is a dense but thin shell. Manufacturers make life easier for us, anticipating our difficulties, dissatisfaction when we have to wield a hammer, breaking the shell. I experienced it myself - it is difficult to calculate even the force of a blow with a hammer. You hit a little harder - you get a “porridge” from a nut or it flies into the farthest corner. A little weaker - he lies whole, unharmed. And so, thanks to a crack in the shell - everything turns out perfectly.

I would like to warn: be sure to read the information about the date of packaging, the expiration date. A cracked pecan is not stored for a long time, it becomes rancid, tasteless, even dangerous to health.

Pecan kernels have not only pleasant taste, they are useful, especially when it comes to lowering cholesterol levels. Not only do they help lower cholesterol levels, but they also cleanse the arteries.

The results of a 2001 study conducted by Loma Linda University (USA) showed that eating just a handful of pecans daily can inhibit unwanted lipid oxidation in the blood, thereby helping to prevent coronary heart disease.

Health Benefits of Pecans

The health benefits of pecans are hard to describe. Pecan nuts contain more than 19 vitamins, minerals - A, E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc. One hundred grams of kernels provide 30% of the recommended daily allowance fiber. Pecans are also a natural source of high quality protein that are very low in carbohydrates. Does not contain cholesterol, sodium. Among the nuts, pecans are the fattest - more than 70%. It satisfies hunger well, ideal as a snack for children or adults.

The merits of this nut are very high. The pecan kernel, in addition to the highest quality fat, contains up to 10% pure protein, up to 15% carbohydrates, the entire chain of vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids.

Pecan Kernel Oil - peanut butter- in many ways superior to olive. Ripe fruits, having a thin shell, do not lose their qualities when shedding, are transportable, can be stored for a long time, while not spoiling at all, not being afraid of pests. But the cleaned ones are not stored for a long time. because of high content fat they rancid, become tasteless.

There is nothing better than eating these valuable pecans for the body during fasting instead of meat or animal fats. Within two or three weeks, you will feel lightness, body strength, eyes will become sharper, your heart will work more calmly, itching and insomnia will disappear. It is your body that is getting rid of vicious toxins accumulated by an illiterate, ruthless attitude towards yourself.

Harm can be caused excessive use pecan kernels. Firstly, it can ruin your figure, since pecans are very high in calories. And, secondly, there is a possibility of manifestation allergic reactions in susceptible people. In any case, you need to know the measure.

Cultivation and reproduction

Fruiting of pecan trees is annual. When propagated by seeds, the pecan tree begins to bear fruit from 9-14 years. The harvest of a young tree is from 1 to 5 kg. The average yield of a ten to fifteen year old tree is from 8 to 15 kg (US data). Back in the seventies of the last century, pecan production there reached 150 thousand tons per year. The life cycle of a tree is 300 years. Old trees yield up to 250 kg of nuts.

Pecan growing technology is completely similar to walnut. This wind-pollinated, light-loving plant grows on soils various types: typically forest, rich in humus, heavy, stony, clayey. But, like most plants, it does not tolerate waterlogging.

Pecan propagates vegetatively or by seeds (seed germination up to 100%). The incidence of plants has not been noticed, there are no pests, even fruits, in comparison with walnuts, are not damaged by them.

Now the pecan has become very widespread not only in the USA and Europe. This therapeutic dietary product should be consumed by everyone. With pecans in your diet, you will live long, not painfully, optimistically rejoicing in the whole world around you.

The nature of the Creator is generous, rich, there are infinitely many unique and beautiful things in it. One of these noble creatures is the pecan.

When I learned in more detail what a pecan is, that its benefits are enormous, and the harm is minimal, I wanted to grow it in my country house. And now I have one pecan seedling growing. He is still very small. He's three years old. Grows very slowly. It is too early to share the experience of growing, but I will definitely tell you about it.

Yes, still small addition: where, at what price, from whom you can buy a pecan - read the comments.

In the territory where the pecan grows, it is easily recognizable by its large, elongated leaves, which reach a length of 50 centimeters. They have a smooth texture and slightly shine in the sun. It should be noted that during the flowering period, both male and female inflorescences can be found. Women have a more sitting position and are located side by side in an amount of three to ten pieces. They can be found at the ends of each shoot. The period of ripening flowers in a country with a warm climate lasts from May to June. For pollination, just a few gusts of wind are enough. At the same time, it is important that heterogeneous trees are located nearby.

Peculiarities

Pecan is high deciduous tree, which reaches from 40 to 60 meters. The crown is dense and wide. It spans up to 40 m in diameter. The trunk is covered with light brown bark with small cracks. Its diameter is from two to three meters. The kidneys have a characteristic yellow, by which it is easy to distinguish this plant from others. Shoots of similar color to the bark are pubescent at the first stage of development, and then become naked.

The pecan tree produces fruits in a drupe that is about five centimeters long. The mass of each of them ranges from 15 to 20 grams. The leathery, dense shell cracks after the nut is fully ripe. Maximum amount fruits in a bunch - eleven. The walnut has an oval shape, which is distinguished by a characteristic sharpening on one side. The tree can be recognized by carefully examining the surface of the nut:

• smoothness;
• shine;
• shallow ribs;
• small wrinkles;
• characteristic brown color.

The inner contents are edible and have a slightly sweet taste. Some people note similarities with walnut. The advantage is that there are no baffles that make cleaning difficult. In climates where the pecan grows, the tree may bear fruit between September and October. As soon as the fruit is suitable for consumption, it falls off the shoots on its own.

A good harvest can only be harvested if the tree is more than nine years old. The first fruits will appear only after four years of life. From a young seedling, you can collect no more than five kilograms of fruit, while an adult gives about fifteen. You can benefit from the tree for the next two hundred years. On average, the life span of a tree ranges from three hundred years.

Growth area

Not every resident of the CIS countries knows how a pecan grows. After all, in this area the plant cannot be found. His homeland is considered to be North America. Pecans were actively eaten by the tribes of the ancient Indians. To date, large plantations are located in the United States and Asia. They come to our country due to export. The pecan nut, the cultivation of which can be seen in the Caucasus and the Crimea, has not acquired industrial scale in our country.

There are some peculiarities in how a pecan grows. HE bears fruit only if there is enough heat and light. Its high resistance to frost is noted, so it can be grown even in the northern region. Botanists claim that the tree can withstand frost down to -30 degrees. To date, there are more than 150 varieties.

Growing procedure

Pecan seedlings quickly adapt to different weather conditions. There are varieties that are grown in cold or severe drought. The plant is unpretentious. However, it is rarely seen in our country. This is due to the fact that not many people know exactly how to create right conditions for cultivation.

You need to know for those who want to plant a pecan nut - planting and growing it can be done from seeds, by grafting, from cuttings or budding. It is important to transplant the resulting sprout into the ground no later than three months after its appearance. Seeds should be deepened into the ground by seven centimeters. For this, a layer of special mulch is used. The first shoots should appear within a month.

A similar scheme is how to grow a pecan from a fruit. After the appearance of the first sprouts, it is necessary to ensure proper care for them. The roots are regularly treated with moisture until the tree gets stronger and takes root. This will take two to three years. If necessary, a layer of fertilizer is applied to the soil.

The procedure for growing a tree from seedlings is more complicated, since they instantly respond to changes in external living conditions. The root system can at any time suffer from external influences. It is best to root the plant in mixed soil. The seedling is tied up near the support, and then covered in a circle with a thick layer of mulch. Some growers vaccinate. For this, a white pecan rootstock is used. It will be possible to get the first fruits from it no earlier than in four years and only if the necessary care is provided.

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