Georgian Variety · 52% Kernel Yield · 68% Fat · Early July · Thin Shell · No Suckers

How to Grow Hazelnut Ladyfingers from Seed
Corylus maxima · Bademi · Akaki Tsereteli · Georgian Commercial Variety · 10 Fresh Nuts

The premium Georgian hazelnut: oblong-flattened nuts with a characteristic groove, 0.5–0.7 mm thin shell, 48.8–52% kernel yield — far above standard varieties. Fat content 67.5–68% (olive-oil fat profile). Ripens early July, 4–8 weeks ahead of standard hazel. Low suckering habit allows mechanized harvesting. Named 'Ladyfingers' for the finger-like elongated shape.

52%Kernel yield · thin 0.5 mm shell
68%Fat content · oleic acid profile
Early JulyHarvest · 4–8 wks early
GeorgiaAkaki Tsereteli variety
Hazelnut Ladyfingers Corylus maxima oblong elongated groove Georgian nuts cluster
SALE
−40%
SKU: O19b · Oreshka Seeds
Hazelnut Ladyfingers — Bademi / Akaki Tsereteli
10 PCS fresh nuts · Corylus maxima · Georgian commercial variety · Betulaceae
€7.50 €12.50

10 fresh nuts per pack · Ships worldwide in 2–3 days

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The variety

What is Hazelnut Ladyfingers — Georgia's Premium Commercial Filbert

Hazelnut Ladyfingers (Corylus maxima, Georgian names: Bademi, Akaki Tsereteli) is a Georgian commercial hazelnut variety belonging to Corylus maxima — the Turkish or Giant Hazel — producing large, oblong-flattened nuts with a distinctive groove running from the base to the apex. The name 'Ladyfingers' describes the finger-like elongated shape of the nut. The husk (wrapper) is one and a half times longer than the nut itself, tubular, closely adjacent to the fruit, and light green — a characteristic that makes nut separation easy and supports mechanized harvesting.

The shrub is medium-sized with an erect, sparsely branched crown and very low root-shoot (sucker) production — a critical commercial trait that reduces management cost and enables mechanized harvesting. Kernel yield of 48.8–52% and fat content of 67.5–68% place Ladyfingers among the highest-quality commercial hazelnut varieties by measurable nutritional and processing metrics. Early July ripening brings the harvest 4–8 weeks ahead of standard varieties.

The numbers that define Ladyfingers: Shell thickness 0.5–0.7 mm (standard hazelnut: 1–2 mm). Kernel yield 48.8–52% (standard: 35–45%). Fat content 67.5–68% (standard: 60–65%). Sugar content 6.8% (contributes to sweetness). Harvest: early July (standard: August–September). Yield per tree average 4.8 kg. These metrics are not marketing claims — they are published Georgian variety registration data that define the Akaki Tsereteli commercial standard. The thin shell, high kernel yield, and early ripening combine to make Ladyfingers the reference point for premium quality in Caucasian hazelnut cultivation.
Oreshka Seeds — Expert Note

10 fresh nuts. Cold stratification 60–120 days. High moisture demands during nut fill (May–June). Low suckering — minimum maintenance. Early July harvest. About our collection →

Quick facts

Hazelnut Ladyfingers at a Glance

Kernel yield48.8–52% · thin 0.5–0.7 mm shell
Fat content67.5–68% · oleic acid dominant
HarvestEarly July · 4–8 wks before standard
OriginGeorgia · Akaki Tsereteli variety
SuckeringLow · mechanized harvest possible
MoistureHigh demand — irrigate May–June

Growing guide

How to Grow Hazelnut Ladyfingers from Seed — Step by Step

  1. 01
    Cold Stratification — 60 to 120 Days at 2–5°C
    Mix fresh nuts in damp sand or vermiculite in a sealed bag, refrigerate at 2–5°C for 60–120 days. Check every 3–4 weeks — sow immediately when small root tips appear. Handle the thin 0.5–0.7 mm shells carefully during stratification. Stratify all 10 nuts from the pack simultaneously for one efficient refrigeration cycle.
  2. 02
    Sow 3–5 cm Deep — Deep Pots (25 cm+)
    Sow stratified nuts with visible root tip 3–5 cm deep in individual deep pots (minimum 25 cm) or directly in-ground. Keep at 15–20°C. Germination in 2–4 weeks. Corylus germinates with the nut remaining underground — a shoot emerges but the cotyledons stay below the surface (hypogeal germination). First true leaves appear 2–3 weeks after shoot emergence.
  3. 03
    Train to 3–5 Main Stems — Remove Suckers Promptly
    In years 1–3, select 3–5 strong upright stems from the base and remove all others. Although Ladyfingers has low suckering tendency compared to common hazel, any root shoots that appear should be removed at ground level promptly — they redirect energy from nut production. The erect, sparse crown habit of this variety makes it naturally easier to manage than vigorous multi-stemmed common hazels.
  4. 04
    Water Generously — High Moisture Demand in May–June
    The variety is characterised by high moisture demands — this is most critical during nut development in May–June when kernel fill occurs. In dry periods, water deeply 2–3 times per week. Mulch 10 cm deep around the root zone to retain moisture. Insufficient water during kernel fill results in shrivelled kernels and reduced yield — the 52% kernel yield characteristic requires adequate moisture during this window specifically.
  5. 05
    Spring Feed — Balanced Then Potassium-Rich
    Apply balanced NPK fertiliser in early spring as growth begins. In June, switch to a potassium-rich feed (high-K tomato feed is suitable) to support shell development and kernel fill. Annual pruning in late winter: remove crossing and inward branches, maintain open crown structure to maximise light penetration and air circulation. Corylus maxima flowers in late winter (January–February) on bare wood — the distinctive yellow male catkins appear before leaves.
  6. 06
    Harvest Early July — Thin-Shell Nuts, 68% Fat
    The 'good separability of husks from the pericarp' noted in the variety description means nuts separate cleanly from the wrapper at ripeness — an advantage for both hand and mechanical harvesting. Harvest when the husk begins to brown and nuts fall easily with gentle shaking of branches. Dry harvested nuts in a single layer in a warm, airy place for 2–3 weeks. The thin shell (0.5–0.7 mm) cracks easily without a nutcracker — light pressure between fingers or a gentle tap is sufficient.
Pro Tip — From the Oreshka Collection

The 67.5–68% fat content and thin shell of Ladyfingers make it exceptional for dry-roasting — the thin shell enables even heat penetration and the high fat content produces a rich, deep roast with minimal risk of the uneven roasting (dark outside, undercooked inside) common with thick-shelled varieties. Roast in-shell at 160°C for 12–15 minutes, shaking the tray every 5 minutes. The thin shell peels almost entirely during roasting with gentle rubbing in a kitchen towel — significantly easier to skin than standard hazelnuts. For hazelnut praline or paste: roast, skin, and process warm — the high fat content of Ladyfingers produces a smoother, more cohesive paste with shorter blending time than lower-fat varieties.

Compare

Ladyfingers vs. Tonda Gentile vs. Barcelona (Common Hazel)

Feature Ladyfingers · Corylus maxima
O19b · Oreshka Seeds		 Tonda Gentile
Italian round hazelnut		 Barcelona
Standard commercial hazel
Nut shapeOblong · elongated · groovedRound · sphericalRound · slightly flattened
Kernel yield48.8–52% · highest tier45–50%38–45%
Shell thickness0.5–0.7 mm · very thin1.0–1.5 mm · medium1.5–2 mm · standard
Fat content67.5–68% · premium65–67%60–65%
Harvest timingEarly July · 4–8 wks aheadAugust–SeptemberAugust–September
SuckeringLow · mechanical harvest OKModerateHigh · labour-intensive

Avoid these

Common Mistakes When Growing Ladyfingers Hazelnut

Insufficient water during May–June kernel fill

The most impactful cultural mistake. The variety's high moisture demand is not uniform through the year — it peaks specifically during nut development in May–June. Dry conditions during this window cause kernel shrinkage and significantly reduce kernel yield below the 52% potential. Plan irrigation for this period; the rest of the year is less critical.

Skipping cold stratification

Corylus maxima nuts have deep physiological dormancy. Without 60–120 days at 2–5°C in damp conditions, germination is erratic, delayed by many months, or absent. The thin shell of Ladyfingers does not exempt it from this requirement — stratification breaks dormancy in the embryo, not the shell.

Allowing suckers to grow unchecked

Although Ladyfingers has lower suckering tendency than wild hazel, any root shoots that appear should be removed promptly at ground level. Allowing suckers to develop into full stems divides the plant's energy, reduces nut production on the selected main stems, and eventually turns a managed productive shrub into a thicket.

Harvesting too early

Hazelnut Ladyfingers ripens early July, but harvesting before the husks begin to show brown at the tips results in underdeveloped kernels that have not reached maximum fat and sugar content. Wait for the first nuts to begin falling naturally and for the husk to show browning before harvesting the full crop. Patience of even 5–7 days at harvest time significantly improves kernel quality.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hazelnut Ladyfingers — how different from common hazel?
Corylus maxima, not Corylus avellana (common hazel). Key differences: oblong-flattened grooved nut shape versus round, 0.5–0.7 mm shell versus 1–2 mm, 48.8–52% kernel yield versus 35–45%, 67.5–68% fat versus 60–65%, early July harvest versus August–September, and low suckering tendency. Georgian commercial variety Akaki Tsereteli — named and registered through Georgian agricultural variety trials.
What does 48.8–52% kernel yield mean in practice?
52% kernel yield means 52 g of edible kernel per 100 g of whole nut. Standard hazelnuts deliver 35–45 g. The thin shell (0.5–0.7 mm) and large, well-filled kernel are responsible. In commercial processing, this translates to 37% more edible product per kilo of nuts — a significant value difference for hazelnut paste, praline, and oil production.
Why does it ripen in early July?
A genetically fixed variety characteristic selected through Georgian cultivation. Early ripening captures premium early-market prices before the main August–September hazelnut harvest, reduces exposure to late-season fungal disease, and suits shorter growing seasons in northern climates. The early ripening maintains regardless of climate — it is inherent to the variety, not climate-dependent.
What is the fat content and why does it matter?
67.5–68% fat — predominantly oleic acid (same as olive oil). Higher than standard hazelnut varieties (60–65%). High fat content means: more intense flavour (fat carries aromatics), creamier texture, better roasting behaviour (richer, more even), and superior hazelnut paste and praline processing yield. Nutritionally, the high oleic acid content is associated with cardiovascular benefits similar to olive oil.
Can it be grown in northern Europe?
Yes — Corylus maxima is hardy to approximately Zone 5 (−29°C). Requires winter cold for dormancy and nut production. High moisture demand means irrigation during May–June nut fill in drier climates. Select a south-facing sheltered position for best yield in northern climates. Early July ripening suits shorter northern seasons — nuts ripen before autumn humidity and disease pressure increase.
Why does low suckering matter?
Common hazel produces vigorous root suckers requiring regular removal — significant labour cost in commercial orchards. Ladyfingers' low suckering reduces or eliminates this task, enables mechanized harvesting (clean shrub base accessible to harvesters), and maintains open crown structure that improves light and air circulation. For home growers, it means a manageable, productive shrub rather than a spreading thicket.

Georgia's Premium Hazelnut — 52% Kernel, 68% Fat, Early July, Thin Shell

10 fresh nuts · Corylus maxima · Oblong grooved shape · Low suckering · Ships worldwide

Buy Seeds — €7.50 → Sale −40% · SKU O19b · 10 PCS · Corylus maxima Ladyfingers · Oreshka Seeds