Allergy sufferers know a thing or two about them… They are not very happy when the hazelnut is in full bloom and spreads its numerous pollen in their environment. But when exactly does the flowering period begin and what makes the flowers of this plant so special?
When does the flowering period begin and end?
In contrast to those of other plants, the blossoms of the hazelnut do not immediately catch the eye. Depending on the variety, they appear early in the year. This is usually the case before the leaves sprout - between February and March.
The male flowers
Both male and female flowers are found on every hazelnut. The male flowers reveal themselves before the female flowers. They usually emerge in the autumn of the previous year and overwinter naked in the leaf axils and on the tips of older shoots.
The male flowers have the following characteristics:
- stand in groups of two or four
- are designed like a kitten
- are between 8 and 10 cm long
- hang down on the branches
- have yellowish-green pollen (moderate supply)
The female flowers
The female flowers of the hazelnut are extremely inconspicuous. They are bud-shaped and appear after the male flowers. Enclosed by the bud, only their red stigmas are visible. Since they have no nectar, they are of no interest to the insect world. During their flowering phase, they are pollinated by the male flowers with the help of the wind.
tips and tricks
Since the hazelnut flowers appear on the older shoots, care should be taken when pruning the plant. Excessive pruning leads to the failure of the flower and thus to the failure of the nut harvest in autumn.