Nuts In Fridge

[DougG]

I put 2 packs of chestnuts and 2 packs of bur oaks in the fridge in zip lock bags with some small holes and a wet paper towel back in mid October. Checked them the other day, and some have mold but none have spouted as of yet. I figured by now i would have a sprout or two. Does the mold mean they are shot, or is there still a chance? Should i be seeing sprouts by now?

 

[wbpdeer]

The mold is a threat to your chestnuts and bur oak. I would remove all that have mold. I would also remove any that are soft and squishy.

I would wash all of them individually under running water and dry them off individually. I would get a new wet paper towel to put in each of my zip lock bags. I would put them back in the fridge at this time.

On Feb 1st, I would remove the zip lock bags and put them on top of the fridge to warm them up. I would leave them there for two days and check them. I would then put them back in the fridge.

Alternative Approach - On Feb 1st, put all nut into growing media and put the containers under lights to start them growing. My growing media would have to drain very well. Especially for chestnuts - they like well drained growing media.

I hope some my info will be beneficial to you.

Good luck and I hope you grow plenty of seedlings.

Wayne

 

[DougG]

Thanks, will do that later tonight

 

[Needmorebrush82]

Honestly I would not put the wet paper towel in them. It has always created mold for me and really doesn't help anything. I just throw mine in a ziplock with 5 pin holes in it and if any sign of mold shows up I will add a little shredded cedar mulch to the bag (handful) and all is well. Do about 600 nuts a year this way and it has worked out great. Moisture in the bags has always made my nuts start to germinate much faster than I would wish too.

 

[Kerrin Hester]

I put my chestnuts in damp peat moss in a baggie with holes in it

 

[DougG]

Cleaned them up last night, didn't find any that were soft, so hopefully things are ok. Will pull them at the end of the month to let them warm up.

 

[wbpdeer]

DougG

Verifying that none were soft is a positive sign.

Are you going to direct seed them or will you start them in containers first before they go to a larger container of their final planting location?

Wayne

 

[DougG]

Will probably start in containers, but not 100% sure yet.