Besides, grow a tree Growing a tree from scratch is an extremely interesting endeavor, as it allows you to observe all the growth cycles of a small seedling as it grows into a large, strong tree. It's worth taking a closer look at the process of growing a tree at home in a pot, using a common acorn as planting material.
How to choose the right material for planting in the ground?
This article will explain how to grow an oak tree from an acorn indoors in the fall, as this is the time of year to look for planting material, as acorns begin to ripen just before the end of autumn. It's crucial to select whole acorns free of any pest holes, rot, or chipped areas. Avoid "seeds" with mold on the surface. Clean acorns are ideal for planting, but it's best to use ten acorns at once to discard any poor-quality seedlings. Ideal seeds have a greenish tint, a rich brown cap, and are easily separated from the nut.
Once all the fruits have been collected, it's worth conducting a special test to determine the quality of the planting material. This can also be used to remove any poor-quality nuts that are unsuitable for planting and germination. First, take a small container and fill it with water. Then, soak the acorns in the water for a while. If any fruits float to the surface or become soft, they should be removed from the mass, as such seeds are considered non-viable. Remove the remaining fruits from the water and allow them to dry on a paper towel. Since planting will take place later, they will need to be stored properly. It's best to place the seeds in a bag and store them that way.
The process of soaking seeds
To know, how to grow To grow oak from acorns at home in the fall (video), you need to prepare the planting material. To do this, soak the oak berries in water. This will help the sprouts break through the dense surface of the seed more quickly. The moistened material is placed in the refrigerator for at least two months. Careful monitoring of the seeds is essential; too much moisture will cause the berries to rot, ruining them completely. Insufficient moisture will prevent the berries from sprouting. Even with consistent and proper moisture, the first shoots will appear in at least six weeks.
How to properly germinate oak seeds and how to properly care for the sprouts
Once the acorns have sprouted, it's important to know not only how to grow an oak tree from an acorn at home in a pot, but also how to handle the small fruits that have already sprouted. It's worth noting that sprouted acorns must be handled with extreme care, as they can break at the slightest touch. Once sprouts appear on each acorn, you can transplant each nut into prepared small pots; plastic cups are best. The root of the plant should be oriented downward, and the acorn itself should be planted not too deeply, allowing the sprouts to more easily break through the soil.
To prevent excess liquid from accumulating in the containers, it's a good idea to plant small plants on the sides and bottom of each cup. These holes will allow excess moisture to drain out. Some gardeners are looking for a way to grow oak trees from acorns indoors in the spring. This is quite possible. In this case, acorns with long roots are prepared and can be planted directly in light soil with a good concentration of nutrients. However, this leaves the plant unprotected from excess moisture and rodents, which can easily destroy the future tree.
Once the plants are planted in small cups, they need to be watered sparingly, ensuring that excess moisture is drained through the holes made. For this reason, it's recommended to use light, loose soil, which is often available at flower shops. During the first few weeks, oak seeds require constant moisture, but after a few weeks, you can water the soil less frequently. If the fruit doesn't show any activity for a long time, don't worry; most acorns begin to develop a strong root system before sprouting shoots and foliage.
When is the first picking of small oak plants done?
The first transplant is done when each seedling has about three leaves. At this point, the seedlings need to be repotted, as the root system needs to develop further, and oak seeds won't be able to do this in a small pot. Most often, the first transplant occurs a couple of weeks after the first shoots emerge. Some gardeners don't wait for the plant to fully develop and immediately transplant it into the ground. However, this is not recommended before winter. It's best to plant outdoors only in the warm spring months to ensure the seedlings take root better.
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Still, there are key criteria that determine when it's safe to transplant a seedling into the ground outdoors. The first factor is the plant's height. If it's already grown to fifteen centimeters and has several permanent leaves, then it's perfectly acceptable to transplant it outdoors. It's also worth paying attention to the roots: if they've already turned white and are sufficiently strong, this is a positive sign for transplanting. It's also important that the main root is sufficiently large and thick, as this will play a significant role in the plant's establishment in its new location.
How to plant a tree in a permanent location outdoors
To know how to grow an oak tree from an acorn at home (photo), you need to know exactly how to properly transplant young oak trees into new soil. It's crucial to choose a clear, uncontaminated plot of land, as the majestic oak will require a great deal of space to grow. Lighting is also crucial, as the plant must receive ample sunlight, otherwise, growth will be significantly slowed. Avoid planting near wells or pipelines, as the tree's roots will grow and damage the structures and pipes. Repairing pipes located near the plant can seriously damage the oak's roots, potentially killing it completely.
Once you've selected a planting site, you'll need to thoroughly clear it of any unnecessary debris. The seedling will initially need a circumference of one meter in width, and later, you'll need to increase the diameter by another meter. It's important that the soil is loose and clean, so it's worth learning how to grow an oak tree from an acorn at home (video) right away. This way, the plant will be able to produce its first nut harvest within twenty years.
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So, the selected area will need to be dug by hand, to a depth of about thirty centimeters, which is sufficient for a small seedling. The soil is then sufficiently moistened, and the plant is then planted in the prepared soil. You can plant the seedling in the prepared hole and lightly compact the soil so that the plant is firmly pressed into the soil.
Place some dry grass a few centimeters away from the tree. This will help prevent weeds from growing in the hole, and the grass will also prevent the soil from drying out too much, as it will prevent moisture from evaporating. It's best to plant two cuttings at once; this will increase the chances of one of them surviving and developing normally after the winter.