Description
We can only offer seed to our Canadian customers only.
This entirely EFB resistant “Jefferson” seed is from the OSU’s breeding program to create new strains to replace those devastated by Eastern filbert blight. In this case, the large nut size and quality of Jefferson replaces the EFB susceptible “Barcelona” in commercial groves.
Over the years of research, thousands of these crosses were grown and evaluated for health, productivity, nut quality, and EFB resistance. Inferior trees were removed. Only the best remained in the program. Cell culture made mass production for export outside the OSU possible.
Not self fertile. Incompatibility alleles 1 & 3 (3 is only expressed in the pollen). The trees are medium-large in size, but have a high yield and early nut maturity. Ideal for in shell & kernels.
Only three OSU hazelnuts are in this tiny grove. Jefferson is set in straight line with Eta (11, 16) and Theta (5, 15). Jefferson seedlings will have the pollen borne alleles from one of these two. All three possess the “Gasaway” gene responsible for EFB resistance in the OSU breeding program.
For more information on this fascinating hazelnut: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9028
For the nerdy deep dive: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/am/pii/S0304423818301870
- Seed Count: 10-12
- Collection Date: Oct 2023
- Maternal incompatibility alleles: 1 & 3
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Height and Width: 4m x 4m
- Preferred sites: full-semi sun; well draining moist garden soils
- Germination test type: hand sort-smash
- Family: Betulaceae
How to germinate Corylus seeds:
Soak in very warm water 24 hours with a couple of warm water changes just to keep the temperature up. If you are able to submerge them its best. Many tiny bubbles will indicate air/water displacement as seed soaks up. Place soaked up nuts in a resealable baggie containing screened fine bark mulch or similar. Cold stratify for 3 months. Give gentle warmth once cold stratification cycle is over. Keep an eye on the nuts as they can sprout rather quickly and it’s best to transplant them when the root is no longer than 2-4 cm. I prefer growing them in a communal pot to save space and to protect them from raiding rodents. Provide strong indirect light and warmth. If any do start sprouting while in cold stratification it’s perfectly okay to transplant them, just make sure they don’t freeze as this messes up their growing mojo. EFB resistant mother plant.
