Have you ever thought about planting your own pinion treeNot only is it a rewarding experience to watch a tree grow from a seed, but you can also harvest pine nuts, a highly valued nut in gastronomy.
El stone pine (Pinus pinea) It's a species native to the Mediterranean region and widely distributed in Spain, especially in Andalusia and Castile and León. Its wood, resin, and bark have various uses, but its fruit, the pine nut, is its main attraction. Below, we'll tell you everything you need to know to grow and make the most of this tree.
Requirements for growing stone pine
The stone pine is a hardy tree that can adapt to different climatic conditions and soil types, although it has certain preferences:
- Climate: It withstands extreme temperatures, from values above 40°C to frosts as low as -20°C.
- Altitude: It can grow from sea level to 1.200 meters above sea level.
- Floor type: Although it tolerates clay and limestone soils, it prefers those with an acidic pH and sandy texture.
- Humidity: It does not tolerate waterlogging well, so the soil must have good drainage.
Production time of pine nuts
It's important to know that the stone pine is not a fast-growing tree. For it to begin producing pine nuts in significant quantities, it's necessary to wait 20 and 30 years between. Also, pine nuts take a few three years to ripen from the moment of flowering, which makes them a highly valued dried fruit.
Materials needed for planting
Before starting to sow, it is advisable to have all the necessary materials:
- Pots: They should be deeper than they are wide, ideally 10,5 cm in diameter and 13-14 cm deep.
- Substratum: A mixture of universal substrate with perlite in equal parts is recommended.
- Watering can with water: To maintain constant humidity.
- Fungicide: It can be copper or sulfur in spring or another fungicide in summer.
How to plant pine nuts step by step
The process of planting pine nuts is relatively simple. Follow these steps:
- Selection of pine nuts: Pick fresh pine nuts in spring or summer.
- Soaking: Leave them in water for 24 hours.
- Preparing the pots: Fill the pots with the prepared substrate.
- Sowing: Place one or two pine nuts per pot and cover them lightly with soil.
- Irrigation and treatment: Water and apply a fungicide to prevent fungal growth.
After sowing, place the pots in a place with direct sunlight and keep the substrate moist. They should begin to germinate in about 15 days.
Stone pine care and maintenance
Once the pine trees have sprouted, it is essential to provide them with proper care:
- Irrigation: Although it is a drought-resistant tree, it is important to maintain soil moisture during the first few months.
- Sunlight: They must receive direct sunlight to ensure proper growth.
- Pest Protection: Use fungicides and natural repellents if you notice fungi or pests on the leaves.
- Transplant: When the seedlings reach a height of 15-20 cm, they can be transplanted to their final location.
Processing and use of pine nuts
Once the tree matures and begins to produce pine cones, there is a traditional process for extracting the pine nuts:
- Harvest: It takes place between November and April.
- Storage: They are kept until summer to allow the pine nuts to ripen.
- Heartless: The pine cones are left in the sun to open and release the pine nuts.
- Husking: Before consumption, pine nuts need to be peeled and processed carefully.
The pinions They have a high nutritional value and are used in numerous gastronomic recipes, from desserts to main dishes.
Growing stone pine is a long-term task, but with patience and proper care, you can obtain high-quality pine nuts. In addition, the tree itself provides multiple benefits ecological and economicalIf you have the space and the right conditions, planting a stone pine can be a very rewarding decision.
