Alexandra is a New Zealand selection (H/6A/641) from “Nutty” Duncan’s property near Alexandra, Central Otago.
It forms a large vigorous, open, spreading tree with few suckers when propagated from suckers or layers.
It is difficult to strike roots using layering or tie off layerage and Alexandra is usually sold as grafted plants.
The husk is about the same length as the nut and most nuts fall free of the husk.
It is resistant to big bud mites but is moderately susceptible to bacterial blight.
It sheds pollen over a long period late in the winter.
Flowering and bud burst are very late.
If other late pollinisers are present, Alexandra has heavy yields of nuts.
The nuts are flattened, blocky in shape, with a dull pale cream/brown colour drying to a dull grey/brown.
Nuts have very thick shells, with small elongated kernels with a moderate to light fibre cover.
Percent kernel 32 – 34%.
Alexandra is the main late polliniser used for late flowering cultivars such as Whiteheart and Butler.
It has large numbers of catkins, often in large “bunches” of more than 10 catkins.
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Is Alexandra suitable for North Island?