Truffle Trees
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GROW YOUR OWN TRUFFLES Your long cherished dream of having your own little bit of France is now here. Yes, the mystique of the French Périgord black truffle is simplified with this oak tree inoculated under laboratory conditions with black truffle spore [Tuber melanosporum]. Now you can have your own Truffière. The thrill of growing and harvesting a Perigord truffle can be yours. |
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Normally, truffle trees, which in this case are oak trees, will grow 10 metres tall in time. However, when planted in a large pot or half wine barrel, they will remain manageable in the smallest yard, deck or patio. If you have sufficient space you can plant your truffle tree directly in the ground and keep it well pruned to let the light onto the soil. Remember, you are not growing an oak tree, but truffles - so add a generous helping of lime to the soil or potting mix, and be prepared to wait. Truffle growers need a little patience - but ‘VOILA’ it will be worth it. 2, 3, 4 years or even more may elapse, but the threads of fungus that will terminate in a sensuous, pungent, delicious truffle are slowly winding their way through the soil, waiting until conditions are just right before the underground fruiting body forms during winter. While waiting for dreams to unfold, your truffle tree will become your friend, needing sunlight, a little organic fertilizer, and to be kept damp. To enable your tree to produce truffles the pH of the soil must be 7.5. Many good garden centers will gladly pH test a soil sample for you, or you can buy an inexpensive pH test kit at most nurseries or hardware stores. Once you have determined the pH you can amend the soil, if needed, using materials commonly available at your local garden center. Because different soil types react in different ways to the application of lime, you will have to add more lime to clay soils and peaty soils than you will to sandy soils to achieve the same result. To increase your pH by 1.0 point and make your soil more alkaline:
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BE THE ENVY OF YOUR FRIENDS BY BECOMING A GENUINE TRUFFICULTEUR What a talking point! Any truffles yet? No, she’s a bit young still, you say. Next year for sure! Come close and sniff the soil. Can your expectant senses detect the unbelievable, indescribable, scent of a ripe truffle under the soil? PURE ECSTASY! Recipes ready. A simple omelette, or sweet fresh bay scallops with foie gras, perhaps? Which wine? Decisions, decisions, decisions. But one thing’s for sure, you’ll want to share this gastronomical feast with your closest friends, who will toast your truffle tree long into the night. |
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