It is hard to imagine that a mighty oak tree can come from a tiny acorn, but with enough patience, you can grow one of your own!If you want to start acorn in a container, you need to plant it in early autumn.You should transplant your acorn in a prepared site.If you care for your oak tree, it will last a long time.
Step 1: Early autumn is a good time to collect acorns.
The best time to harvest acorn is in the early-to-mid autumn.The appearance of acorns can vary depending on the type of oak tree they come from.acorns are ready for picking when they can be removed from the cap without tearing them.The cap is a protective covering and not part of the acorn.If you tear the acorn itself, you won't be damaging the cap.It is possible to find suitable trees in the summer.You want mature trees that are easy to reach via ladder or pole.Some oak varieties, like red oaks, take two years to mature.As you choose trees in the summer, keep in mind that some oaks won't be ready for the fall until the following year.
Step 2: A "float test" is performed.
You should put the acorns in a bucket of water.The acorns should settle in a minute or two.These acorns are bad.An air hole can be created by a worm or grub in an acorn.A fungus can make acorn floats.If you notice that an acorn is soft to the touch, discard it.Acorn are rotten.
Step 3: Take care of the remaining oaks.
Take the good oaks out of the water.Place them in a large bag with a growth medium that can hold water.You should be able to fit in many large bags.If necessary, put the bag in the refrigerator for a month and a half or longer.This is a process in which a seed is exposed to cold temperatures in a way that mimics the conditions that seeds would experience if they fell to the ground.The seed isprimed for the spring.It's a good idea to check on your acorns every now and then.The medium should be moist.The acorns may rot if they are too moist.Too dry, they may not grow.
Step 4: You should keep an eye on the growth of your oak trees.
When stored in the refrigerator, most acorns will start to grow.Early December is when the root end of the shell may begin to crack.After about 40-45 days of storage, the acorn is ready to be planted.The emerging roots are easy to damage.
Step 5: You can plant acorn in a pot or container.
If you prefer large styrofoam cups or milk cartons, you can get 2 inch (5 cm) diameter gardening pots.Some sources recommend adding sphagnum moss to the soil.It's a good idea to leave about an inch at the top for watering purposes.The acorn can be planted just below the surface.Water can escape from the sides of a styrofoam cup if there are holes in it.You can bury the acorn in the yard if you prefer.Remove the root from a shallow hole and tuck the acorn to one side on top of rich, soft soil.This will only work if the tap root is established and detached from the acorn.The seedling is vulnerable to mice, squirrels, etc.Wrap a cage around the seedling to protect it from animals.
Step 6: You should water your plant.
Water the plant until the water comes out of the container.The soil will never dry out in the coming weeks.Keep your plants indoors in this stage of their life.They can absorb the winter sun on the windowsill.Rapid above-ground growth may not be noticed right away.During the first stage of the plant's life, it is developing its tap root below the dirt.If you live in the south, place your plants on a northern windowsill.Supplemental indoor grow light can be used to provide more sunlight.
Step 7: Track the plant's growth.
Some gardening sources recommend planting seedlings directly into the ground after a few weeks of growth in a pot or cup, while others recommend gradually increasing the amount of each day that the plant is exposed to the outdoor weather before finally planting it.Others recommend that the seedling be moved to a larger pot and then planted in the ground.There are qualities to look for which can inform your decision to transplant a seedling.Good candidates are tall and have small leaves.White roots are a good look.They appear to be outgrowing their container.Have seen a lot of tap root growth.A few weeks to a few months old.
Step 8: Before you plant your plants outside, make sure to destroy your seedlings.
Your plant can be killed if you don't get your plants accustomed to the outdoors.Place your seeds outdoors for a few hours after a week or two.For the next week or two, gradually increase how long you leave the seedlings outside.Your plants will be ready to be planted outdoors.Make sure your plants are protected from the wind.
Step 9: If you want to plant, choose a site.
When choosing a location for your oak tree, make sure it has room to grow and won't be a problem when they've grown large.The availability of sunlight is one of the things to consider when choosing a site for your oak tree.oaks need sunlight to survive so don't plant them in shaded areasThe location of the water lines.If work needs to be done in your yard, you don't want to have to kill your tree.The tree has a shading effect.If you want your oak tree to eventually provide shade for your home, you should plant it to the west or southwest of your house, so that it doesn't shade you in the winter.There is vegetation nearby.Plants compete for resources.If you want your oak to reach maturity, don't plant it next to any vegetation.
Step 10: Prepare the site for planting.
When selecting a good spot for your tree, make sure to clear any vegetation in a 3-foot circle away.If you want to break up large clods, use a shovel to turn over the dirt in the area to a depth of about 25 centimeters.You can either moisten the soil yourself or wait until after a rain to plant your tree.
Step 11: You should dig a hole.
In the middle of your circle, dig a hole that is at least 61 cm deep and 30 cm wide.Depending on the length of your tap root, the hole should be roughly deep enough to accommodate it.
Step 12: A transplant.
Carefully place your oak into the hole you've prepared.The hole should be deep enough to accommodate the oak's roots.Pack the dirt around the plant lightly.After planting it, water it.Pack soil around the oak seedling so that the water doesn't sit at the trunk of the tree, which can be damaging.Lay a ring of mulch around the tree to help keep the soil moist and to discourage the growth of weeds.Make sure it doesn't touch the tree's stem.If you want to increase the chances of a successful planting, you should place several acorns in the same area.In this case, you can plant young acorns directly into the ground by clearing a 2x2 foot area and placing two of them into that space with one or two inches of soil on top.
Step 13: Young oak trees should be protected.
Oak trees are a source of food for many animals.Squirrels and mice like to dig up acorns for a snack.rabbits, deer, and other animals like to eat leaves that are small.Take steps to protect your oak trees.Chicken wire or plastic fencing around the tree's stem will prevent animals from reaching it.If you live in an area with a lot of deer, you may want to consider caging the tree.You may want to use pesticides to protect your tree from pests.Don't use pesticides that are harmful to your oak tree or your family.
Step 14: Irrigating trees in dry weather.
An oak's long tap root allows it to draw water from deep soils even when the surface soils have been dried out.It's not usually necessary to water your oak trees during the winter.Oak trees can be damaged by hot and dry weather.When young oak trees need the most water, a drip irrigation system is a good way to get it.You can irrigation your tree with about 38 liters of water per week.Irrigation is reduced as the tree grows during the hottest and driest months.Water can collect around the base of the tree.Water can cause rot if it is not put around the tree's base.
Step 15: As the tree grows, stop caring.
You will need to care for your oak less and less as it grows.Eventually, it will be big and tall enough that animals won't be able to kill it and its roots are deep enough for it to survive the summer without any watering.Slowly, over several years, reduce the amount of care you give your tree, which, aside from watering during dry months and protecting it from animals, should not be all that much.Eventually, your tree should be able to survive on its own.Enjoy the gift you've given yourself and your family.Depending on the species, optimal acorn growth may not occur for up to 50 years.