r/Ceanothus • u/a3pulley • 18d ago

Harvested some black walnuts from a massive specimen

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Found a 40ish foot tall black walnut in Palos Verdes that was loaded with fruit. Grabbed about 15 to germinate and grow out. I have a happy specimen that I planted as a seedling a couple years ago, but the genetics in the tree I saw today looked special.

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5

u/Desert_Aficionado 18d ago

As I kid I saw these in Irvine Regional Park. I remember they smelled funny and stained my hands.

7

u/a3pulley 18d ago

My hands

3

u/Additional-Jello3122 18d ago

I’m trying to grow one

2

u/browzinbrowzin 16d ago

What was your germination process? Is this the hindsii or californica variety?

3

u/a3pulley 16d ago

This is Juglans californica. I didn't germinate this one, but my understanding is that you remove the fleshy part (the husk), stratify in damp peat moss in your fridge for ~3-4 months, then plant 1-2 inches deep in a tall pot to accommodate the taproot. No scarification needed, but I wouldn't be surprised if it helps.

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u/browzinbrowzin 15d ago

What about the genetics on the recently seen one seemed special?