How to grow an oak tree from an acorn: step-by-step instructions

Acorn
Some oak trees can grow for a hundred years. This tree is described in fairy tales and ballads. If a person makes up his mind plant him in his garden, he should think about where the oak will grow, since it will also delight his descendants with its beauty. It is recommended to choose places where the tree will not be disturbed by other plantings. But how to grow an oak tree from an acorn?
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Preparation of planting material

Initially, you should start preparing planting material. It is also important to choose the right landing site. The collection of acorns is carried out in the autumn. You need to make sure that they are not damaged, without worms or holes. A brown acorn, which has a greenish tint, is ideal for planting. But each variety has its own differences in color.
The acorn should easily peel away from the cap, which serves as protection. When it is detached, the acorn is not damaged. Even in the summer, you should look at the location of the oak trees, and in the fall you should go to harvest the crop, which will serve as landing material.
When a certain number of acorns have been collected, they should be tested. To do this, they are lowered into water for a couple of minutes. If the acorn floats on top, it should be discarded. Shapeless and soft fruits are also unsuitable.Those acorns that are suitable for planting are dried and placed in a plastic bag that is well closed.

Preserving acorns

Harvested fruits should be properly stored. To do this, they are washed with water, or you can use soap. This method destroys bacteria, mold, and fungi, because they can harm the young tree in the future. To store acorns before planting, you can use a basement or cellar. The room temperature should be slightly above 0 degrees.
Storage of planting material lasts 90 days. During this time, stratification occurs (cold test), and the fruit begins to germinate. You can also store acorns in the refrigerator.
Stratification is especially important for planting material. This procedure helps fruits germinate well in the spring. During storage of acorns, you should periodically check their condition. If the fruits are in a place with high humidity, they will rot. If there is not enough moisture, there will be no acorns. germinate. Therefore, a golden mean must be ensured. Planting material will begin to germinate after 1-2 months of storage.

Germination and care

When acorns have already sprouted, you should handle them carefully. This is due to the fact that their roots are quite brittle. Sprouted fruits are planted in containers or pots, the size of which should not be large. Even plastic cups are suitable for this. They are filled with ordinary soil, to which a small amount of moss is added. After this, the acorn is not placed deeply; the root should be directed downward.
It is necessary to make holes in the container that is selected for planting so that excess liquid can flow out.You can immediately plant an acorn in open ground that has a well-developed root. But often such a plant dies quickly, since it is not protected from rodents.
Video about how an oak tree grows from an acorn:
When the acorns are planted in containers, they should be watered. Water should begin to flow out of the holes made. At first, seedlings need frequent watering. It is recommended to place containers on south-facing window sills, so the plant will receive enough light.
There will be no changes in the planted acorns for some time. Don't worry, as this is normal. During this period, the seedlings develop rhizome.

Picking

When the plants begin to develop and have 2-3 leaves, they are planted in large containers. In such conditions they will get stronger. This is often done 14 days after the acorns were planted. Some gardeners immediately transplant plants into open ground, or adapt seedlings to stay outside.
There are many methods, but certain signs are identified when acorns are ready for planting in a permanent place. Namely:
  1. The plant has grown 15 cm in height and has leaves.
  2. There is a healthy white rhizome.
  3. The main root is well developed.
  4. Seedling is larger than the container in which it is located.
  5. 2 weeks have passed since landing.

Planting in open ground

It is very important to choose the right place for planting. The selected area should have plenty of space, since in the future the oak will grow to large sizes.
The following factors need to be taken into account when choosing a site for planting:
  1. The area where seedlings are planted should be well lit.
  2. There should be no water pipes or pipelines nearby the selected location.
  3. If technical work or construction is carried out in the future, the risk of damage to the rhizome increases, which will adversely affect the condition of the tree.
Those who want the oak tree to form a shadow that will fall on the house in the future should plant seedlings in the southwest. Residents of the southern regions are better off planting in the west to get shade in the future. It is better to avoid places with a lot of plants. All vegetation will fight for light and moisture, which can lead to the death of the seedling.
When a person has decided on a place, he should begin to clean it. The soil needs to be dug to a depth of about 30 centimeters. Priming should be a little moisturized. For this reason, it is initially watered. After the work has been done, you should dig a hole; its width is 25-30 centimeters. Its depth depends on the rhizome; it must be completely immersed in the ground.
After this, all that remains is to immerse the acorn and cover it with soil. Next, the soil is compacted and the plant is well watered. After this, you need to monitor the plant, water it, and after a while it should take root well in the new place.
Young acornOak

Comments

Wow, what a serious approach to oak planting. We have a lot of oak trees in our forest, so small oak trees grow just next to each other. Take it and plant it)) But they probably come in different varieties, and you probably need to tinker with them.

Last year I tried to grow an oak tree myself. I haven’t read any growing techniques. I planted the acorn immediately in the ground, and the seedling even began to grow. He grew to about 10 cm. But he died, perhaps due to severe frost, or maybe I did something wrong.