Oak is a tree that fits well into landscape design garden. Many gardeners want to grow a tree in the yard, but you need to be familiar with the basic rules for caring for the plant. The article will help you learn about correct cultivation this majestic tree.
Selection and preparation of material for planting
In order to successfully grow an oak - take a responsible approach to the choice of planting material. For cultivation, gardeners must look at the condition of the acorns, from which, over time, a massive tree will grow. When choosing a quality tree, it is worth considering:
- damage to planting material;
- acorn color.
After collecting the right material it is definitely worth performing a special check. To do this, dip the acorns in water and leave for a couple of minutes. Those that come up are considered to be of poor quality.
I lay out the acorns that are suitable for planting on a towel and leave to dry. After complete drying, place them in a bag, and then close tightly. To prevent damage to the planting material, gardeners add wood chips or vermiculite. The fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for two months (until the leaves germinate).
Experienced gardeners choose acorns that can come off the cap easily.
It serves for protection and during separation it is impossible to harm the material. The best period for the selection of acorns is an early autumn period... By this time they will be fully ripe.
Germinating acorns at home
Any plant growing requires special attention. When planting at home, you should adhere to several rules:
- Careful handling. Acorns that have managed to germinate must be handled with care, since their roots are very fragile. Within 40 days, some seeds may already have germinated.
- Do not use pots big size. For planting, plastic cups or containers with a diameter of about 5 cm are suitable. They are filled with soil and planted with the spine down (to a shallow depth).
- Make special holes in the containers for water to flow out. Water the acorns in such a way that the water comes out through the glass holes.
- Abundant watering of seedlings during the first weeks.
Seedlings need a lot of light, so you need to provide them correct lighting... To do this, it is advisable to place the pots on the windowsill, where there will be maximum power from sunlight.
At the first stages, root system tree, so at first it is impossible to observe noticeable changes. When the roots of the tree become more massive, a larger container should be found and transplanted.
Seedling picking
Picking is the process of transplanting seedlings from a small container to a large one. When transplanting, the roots develop more rapidly, thereby strengthening the tree. It is recommended to make a pick when 2-3 leaves appear. It should take about two weeks before the moment when it is worth making a pick. Gardeners determine the timeliness of the procedure by the presence of certain signs:
- having a healthy root system;
- plant height is at least 15 cm;
- the presence of oak leaves;
- the main root develops well;
- the seedling has reached the size of a pot.
Landing process
Before you start planting oak in place, you need to determine a good place for him. A favorable place for landing is the zone in which there will be enough spaces for the development of wood and light. When landing, you need to focus on the following criteria:
- Maximum illumination. Oak requires sunshine. When receiving heat, it accelerates in development and growth. Therefore, choosing places with a lot of shadow is not the best choice for gardeners.
- Planting a tree should be away from water pipes, roads and other things. This will help avoid damage when various worksoh.
- Place away from other vegetation. If you plant next to other plants, the oak will not receive the required amount of nutrients that it needs for development. There is a risk that the oak will not be able to grow to its full extent, as other plants will take away natural resources.
After choosing a place, you need to start preparing the landing zone. To do this, it is important to dig up the soil, breaking it into large lumps. In this case, the depth should not exceed 25 cm. The ground before planting must be wet, therefore, soil watering is used. Then they begin to dig a hole. Its depth depends on the length of the main root of the seedling. Usually a depth of 90 cm is sufficient. The pit does not exceed 30–35 cm in width.
You need to transplant the oak root down, while making sure that it fits. Next, you should cover the seedling with earth and lightly tamp it. After transplanting the oak - do not forget to water it.
There are three basic rules when transferring to a place:- When compacting the earth, tilt away from the seedlings. Such a procedure will prevent water from lingering near the oak trunk and will prevent damage.
- Spread the bark within a radius of 30 cm from the planted tree. This helps to moisten the soil around the seedling and protect it from weeds.
- You can plant a couple of acorns. This can be done in order to increase the probability successful landing... The sprouts are placed inside the pit, covered with earth about 3 cm thick.
Proper care of oak
The planted trees need special attention. Correct care consists of the following components:
- Protection. Young oak trees are subject to increased attention from various animals. To keep the plant safe, it is recommended to place a trellis around the tree. The material for protection can be a plastic fence or special nets.
- Watering. In the first three days after planting, it is worth watering the seedlings abundantly. For irrigation, use a bucket of water to 1 sq. m. surface.
- Pruning. Prune painful branches once twice a year. They show increased attention in the fall - they remove fallen leaves, mulch the zones. Such methods will help prepare for the winter season.
- Shelter. During the winter cold - cover the trunk with a high density cloth. This procedure will help protect the oak from the cold. When
- Weed removal. It is not recommended to use chemical methods weed control, as you can harm the development of oak. Chemicals are an extreme disposal method.
- Mulching the soil. Mulch enriches the soil and roots with organic matter and maintains soil moisture.
Branch necrosis or powdery mildew are threats to young tree. Powdery mildew - a type of fungal disease that can carry spores when watered. To fight fungal infections, a solution of colloidal sulfur or foundation is used. Branch necrosis is treated by spraying with iron sulfate.
Some types of insects pose a threat:
- moth cap;
- oak barbel;
- oak leafworm.
Against moths, treatment is used with decis (25 g / 1 l of liquid), kinmix (50 g / 1 l of water). Such solutions are also suitable for treating barbel and leafworm.
Oak is a representative of massive and heat-loving trees. Gardeners should be very careful during their cultivation and then the probability healthy tree will be maximized.
Oaks are best grown not by eminent agronomists, but by Mother Nature. To grow an acorn oak tree, see how it grows naturally. Acorns sprout beautifully on their own, without dancing with tambourines and expensive fertilizers.
Acorns lie in the forest, half-covered with fallen leaves. The soil around is loose and moist. The most logical thought is to recreate the most similar conditions when planting an oak.
Photo of Olga Bondareva
How to grow an acorn oak on the street
Transplant or immediately plant in place?
For an acorn to grow, it is best to plant it in the fall in the place where it will grow.Acorns have a really powerful root system, it is this that develops first. Therefore, growing an oak tree, and replanting it a year later, damaging the roots is a bad idea.
How many acorns do you need to plant to grow one oak tree?
Acorns may be rotten, spoiled, and may not like the soil ... so be prepared to lose every third plant. Use numbers: the more acorns you plant, the more oak trees will grow.However, most often young oak trees germinate without special efforts... Germination rate of 100% is common.
The danger of planting "before winter" is mice, which eat acorns with great pleasure. If you want to be sure to protect your crops from rodents, cover the acorns with a box with a metal mesh.
When, in what soil and to what depth should the acorn be planted?
In autumn, acorns can be planted in the ground before the temperature becomes sub-zero. The depth is shallow: it is enough to deepen the acorn by 3 cm into the ground and cover it with a pile of dead leaves, then the plant will overwinter perfectly.
Acorns are planted, laying them flat (sideways), as laid down by nature. Another planting method will interfere with germination.
The acorn does not like compacted soil, so for planting it is better to choose a place with loose rich soil, or at least loosen and feed it.
If you want to grow a real oak from an acorn, be prepared for the fact that the tree will need a lot of space (the crown area of \u200b\u200ban adult tree is 25 square meters). However, one oak does not like to grow: “neighbors” protect it from frost.
When will the oak germinate?
Usually, plants, only having given a root, immediately throw out several leaves. With an oak, everything is completely different: at first it throws out the root, and for another month and a half you will not see any leaves on the surface of the earth. And only then (in late May or early June, if you live in Siberia, or earlier, if your house is in the middle lane) do the first leaves appear.
If the oak tree does not appear on the surface of the earth, do not rush to dig the garden bed.Continue to water the planting site every couple of days.
Oak sprout is a strong plant, but weeds can interfere with it at first. They need to be weeded out in a timely manner.
If you decide to plant an oak tree in your yard or in a city park, another danger may threaten it - a lawn mower. To prevent anyone from mowing the oak, shield the sprout and tie a bright patch to it.
Planting oak trees in spring
In spring, you can also find acorns - already sprouted, often with a root. They are planted in the same way as the "winter" ones, in moist, loose soil.It is important that the root of the seedling is in the ground and does not dry out. It is better to cover the oak sprout with moist moss.
How to grow an acorn oak in a pot
If you collect acorns in the fall, you will have to stratify them. that is, keep in a cool place. Place the acorns in a container of damp moss, peat, or sawdust and refrigerate in the vegetable compartment. Sometimes a bag of acorns will need to be taken out and aired.
A good alternative to the refrigerator is the cellar. Acorns need a temperature of about 0 ° C or a little more for stratification.
You will quickly notice the acorn sprouting: it will throw out a powerful root.To grow a full-grown oak from an acorn, buy a large pot. Pour a layer of expanded clay on the bottom, and above - a layer of fertile soil (ideally, from the forest where you found the acorns) and plant an acorn. If the growth of the oak tree has stopped, this is a signal that it is time to buy a bigger pot.
If your pot contains more than one sprouted acorn, plants will need to be planted as quickly as possible:braided roots are very difficult to untangle. If unraveling is still unavoidable, wet the clod of earth with oak trees well and use your fingers to disassemble the roots as carefully as you would disassemble tangled hair.
Acorns planted in a pot in September-October without stratification can stop growth in winter and spring and even shed their leaves. Most likely, the plant did not die, it just had an untimely "autumn".Move the pot to a cool place and remember to water. In the spring, plant an oak seedling in the soil - it will take root and grow.
Everyone can grow an oak from an acorn at home
It is possible to grow such a noble tree as oak, even at home. If everything is done correctly necessary measures, then it will turn out to grow strong, durable wood, under the shadow of which your descendants will rest.
How to grow an oak from an acorn: the preparatory stage
It is not difficult to grow an oak at home from an acorn, but it is a long process. First of all, you need to select a good planting material... This is done in early autumn. Oak acorns must be thoroughly prepared for planting.
Source: Depositphotos
It doesn't take much effort to grow an acorn oak tree at home.
Suitable for planting:
- Brown fruits with a greenish tint.
- Acorns free from damage, mold and worms.
- Acorns easily detaching from caps.
Before planting the selected fruits, they should be checked for spoiled ones. To do this, they need to be lowered into a container of water. Emerging fruits indicate their unusability. Also, soft and out of shape are not suitable for planting; when opened, they turn out to be rotten. Selected acorns must be removed from the water and dried in the shade, having previously spread on a towel.
Dried acorns are folded into a dense plastic bag with wood chips, which will retain moisture. The prepared package is placed in the refrigerator for 45 days or more until they germinate.
Acorn oak: germinating in a pot and planting in the ground
Sprouted acorns are carefully transplanted to a shallow depth in small containers or pots so as not to damage their delicate roots. They are pre-filled with a mixture of garden soil with peat moss. There must be a hole in the pot for excess water to drain out when watering, otherwise the roots may rot. Watering should be moderate for the first few weeks.
The acorn pot is best placed on a windowsill with sunny side... You will have to wait about 2 weeks for the first shoots to appear. After 2-3 leaves appear, and the stem grows up to 15 cm in height, the plant should be transplanted into a container bigger size.
At the beginning of summer, an oak seedling is transplanted into open ground... For its further growth, a place is suitable that meets the following requirements:
- Well lit by sunlight.
- It should be away from other plants so that they do not draw light and moisture onto themselves.
- It is recommended to plant oak away from paths and communications, so that during various works its root system is not damaged.
If you do not want the oak to cast a shadow on the windows in the future, do not choose a place in the southwest for planting it. If the oak grows in hot regions, then the north-west or west will be the best place for it - then in the future it will give a saving shadow.
Often, gardeners have a desire to grow an oak from an acorn on summer cottage... Oak is a tree that grows naturally. But it will just as well decorate your garden. Oak is a tree that is familiar to us from childhood and differs from other trees with its curly leaves.
To figure out how to grow an oak from an acorn at home, read our article and you will succeed. All you need to do is take an acorn after it has fallen from the ripe oak, germinate and plant an oak seedling in a pot. Then transplant the young tree to the prepared place. dig a hole and plant an acorn in it. All! It remains only to wait for the sun and moisture to awaken the natural forces of the acorn.
Oaks belong to the genus of trees and shrubs of the Beech family, which unites about 600 species. In Russia the English oak is the most widespread. These plants grow from acorns over the years. Usually they are planted in roadside and park areas, as well as on household plots.
Growing oak at home and then transplanting it to adjoining territory allows you to acquire your own tree of wisdom and strength, but this will take at least 2-3 years.
The process of growing an oak seedling from an acorn can be quick and easy if the material for planting is properly and correctly prepared. It is recommended to collect fruits for this purpose in a deciduous forest in autumn, when the foliage is dropped, and acorns during this period are considered fully ripe.
Fallen acorns of the most beautiful and powerful tree are suitable for germinating the cutting. You must first "listen" to them, that is, shake them in order to determine the viability of the nucleus of the fruit (it should not knock).
On a note! Acorns for planting should be harvested in early fall. The planting material must not be damaged, contain holes, worms or mold. Acorns brown color with a green tint - are considered good stuff for planting. Although each variety has a different color.
From the place where the planting material was collected, you need to collect the foliage native to it, which has fallen, as well as soil. All this will be useful for creating conservation conditions before disembarking. At home, it is again recommended to check the planting material brought from the forest.
To do this, pour into the container cold water and put the fruits there. Those acorns that come up are not suitable for planting, they are empty. After a few minutes, you need to repeat the procedure. Non-floating fruits are suitable as planting material.
Acorn oak: germinating in a pot and planting in the ground
To strengthen the endurance of oak fruits, they are stratified. To do this, put acorns in a bag, add vermiculite, moss or sawdust there, which retain moisture, and place them on the lower shelf of the refrigerator intended for vegetables.
Thanks to this, the planting material will be able to germinate much faster in the spring. It is necessary to constantly monitor the level of moisture in the bag, periodically adding water there, but avoiding overflow, as the fruits can rot. After 1.5–2 months, the acorns take root.
Sprouted nuts are carefully removed from the bag, trying not to injure the roots, and planted in small plastic cups or pots. Place each acorn in a pot or container.
Find small ones in diameter (5 cm) garden pots (or if you prefer, large plastic cups or milk bags) for your plants.
Fill them with quality garden soil (some sources suggest adding chopped peat moss). Leave about 2 centimeters empty on top for watering. Plant your acorn shallow under the surface with the root down.
If you are using plastic cups or milk bags, poke holes in the sides of the bottom of the glass so the water can drain out.
You can also try burying the acorn in the garden if you like. Dig in the root, and gently press one side of the acorn into a suitable rich, soft soil. This will only work if the root is already well developed, long and well off the acorn. Note - this way the seedlings will be defenseless against mice, squirrels, etc.
Seedling care in a pot
Water your plant until water comes out of the holes at the bottom of the container. Water frequently over the following weeks, without letting the soil dry out. Keep your seedlings indoors during this period.
Place it on the sill by the south window so that it can absorb winter sun... You will not immediately notice the rapid growth. This is because on this stage their life in plants, the main root develops under the soil surface.
If you live in the southern hemisphere, place your seedlings on the windowsill by the north window.
Oak seedling pick
Monitor the growth of the plant. Gardeners advise in different ways what to do next - some advise transplanting seedlings directly into open ground after several weeks of growing in a pot, others advise gradually increasing the time the plant is outside before planting it in open ground.
It is also advised to transplant the seedlings into a larger pot so that they grow even more and only then plant them in the ground. Although there is not only one the right way to determine when seedlings can be planted outdoors, there are signs that will indicate to you that they are ready to be transplanted.
Suitable transplant candidate:
- About 10-15 centimeters high with small leaves.
- It has healthy looking, white roots.
- Has clearly outgrown my pot.
- The main root has grown well.
- Its age is from several weeks to several months.
Soil for oak
Oak is unpretentious to soils middle bandbut loves fertile soilrich in nutrients. So that the sprout that has broken through does not die out, it is planted in moist soil taken from the place of growth of the mother oak. If there is none, you can take the soil in the country or fertile garden plot, add peat moss or vermiculite to it to retain water.
The pot should have drainage holes to remove excess moisture. The sprouted material is planted to a depth of 3-5 cm. For the first time, before the seedlings grow, you can use small plastic cups, which are conveniently placed in the apartment on the windowsill.
Landings are covered with a damp cotton swab or rag, creating the effect of a greenhouse with glass or foil with ventilation holes. The first year and up to 10 years, the growth rate of seedlings can reach 25-35 cm, then the process slows down.
As the plants grow, they must be transplanted into larger containers with soil replacement.
How to choose a place to plant oak
The oak grows big. Need to think carefully where to plant it? Indeed, in an adult state, he can shade the garden, bushes, trees.
When landing is taken into account:
- How sunny the place is. Oak loves good lightingwhen it gets a lot of sun and heat.
- So that the place is located away from the path, some pipelines, with water supply. Especially if the pipes are plastic. When will any renovation work and digging up pipes, if the oak is nearby, you can damage its roots.
- A tree planted on the southwest side of the house will shade it, but for some it won't hurt.
- If the family lives in the south, then when planting an oak in the north-west or west, you can wait until it grows and a shadow falls from it.
- It is not necessary to place the plant where many others are growing. They can hammer a young oak, shading, taking nutrients from the soil.
Choose a place where the oak will be planted. Dig up that place in the form of a circle by 1 or 2 m. You need to dig deep - by 30 cm, and break the lumps with a shovel or rake.
Experts advise to plant not 1 oak, but 2. If both survive, 1 can be transplanted to another place. The main thing is to water the seedlings well after planting, sprinkle with mulch from the crushed bark 30 cm around the trunks.
How to plant an oak correctly - step by step instructions
Algorithm of actions for a successful transplant:
- The site is cleared of tall grass. How much space is needed for a seedling depends on the desired result - for a powerful tree, a free diameter of 15 - 20 m is required.
- A platform with a diameter of 1.5 meters is dug up, achieving the uniformity of the soil and its loosening for enrichment with oxygen.
- Dig a hole several centimeters deep more than the length of the roots, moisten it.
- A seedling is taken out of the pot together with the soil and transferred to the prepared hole, sprinkled with earth, and compacted.
- Water the planting abundantly. Do not be afraid to flood the roots - excess moisture will go deep into the soil.
- At a distance of 30 cm from the trunk, mulch is poured in a circle - it will protect the soil from drying out and the spread of unnecessary weeds.
The same action plan should be followed if you want to make a home oak. In this case, the container must have a volume of at least 100 liters. Of course, no matter how much you take care of, the potted plant will not become so large and powerful, but it will delight the eye with greenery for a longer time.
Video on how to grow an oak from an acorn at home
What care is needed for oak in a garden
Oaks - especially young and tender - are a food source for many herbivores. Mice and squirrels, which can easily dig them up, like to eat with acorns. Small seedlings are defenseless against rabbits, deer and other animals that feed on leaves.
To make sure your trees are not destroyed, take steps to protect them. Place netting mesh or a sturdy plastic fence around the tree trunk to prevent animals from reaching them.
If you live in an area with deer, you should also protect the crown of the tree with a net.
You may need to use pesticides to protect your tree from a variety of insects, including aphids and may beetles... Be careful when choosing pesticides - only use those that will not harm your tree and your family members.
Water trees in dry weather. The long root of the oak allows it to extract moisture from the depths even when the soil on the surface is completely dry.
During the winter and rainy months, your oaks usually do not need to be watered. However, when they are still young, oak trees can suffer from hot and dry weather. Install a drip irrigation system - this good way deliver water to young trees when they need it most.
Spend about 30 liters of water on drip irrigation in one to two weeks. Irrigation during the hottest and driest months will be required in the first two years, as the tree grows, the irrigation intensity can be reduced.
Remember, water must not be allowed to collect around the tree trunk. Set up your irrigation system so that water will drip around the tree, but not directly onto the trunk, where it can cause rot.
As it grows, the tree will need less care. As your oak tree grows and its roots go deeper, you will need to care less and less about it.
Eventually, it will become large and tall enough that animals cannot destroy it, and the roots will become deep enough to survive the summer without watering. Gradually, over several years, reduce the degree of care for your tree (which, apart from watering during the dry months and protecting from animals, is nothing more).
Over time, your tree will be able to thrive on its own without any sign of depletion. Enjoy a gift for yourself and your family that will stay with you for life!
After 20 years, your oak tree may start bearing its own acorns, but this depends on the specific type of tree. Optimal growth of acorns may not occur even after 50 years.
Oak acorns: beneficial properties
Acorns are often underestimated. Nevertheless, the benefits from them can be obtained by a person enormous.
You just need to know about the main useful properties product:
- Nuts help to fight bacteria and formations of cancerous tumors, have an enveloping effect;
- Acorns act as an alternative in the treatment of ulcers of the chest, lungs, and coughing up blood;
- Fruits help stop bleeding during heavy periods;
- With their help, you can strengthen and clear the stomach. For this, a tincture of acorns is made. The recipe is simple - 1 tsp. pour boiling water over processed nuts, insist and strain. Take 100 ml three times a day for a whole month;
- The juice obtained from acorns strengthens the work of the bladder, improves potency;
- Oak fruits are recommended for severe food poisoning;
- Hair is dyed with acorns;
- They are used to treat hernia, diabetes, pancreatitis, asthma, heart problems, coughs, etc.
Oak bark: medicinal properties and contraindications
The main medicinal properties of oak bark are determined by the astringent tannins of the pyrogallic group - tannins, which have powerful medicinal properties... For medical purposes, raw materials are used in which at least 20% of tanning compounds are present.
Tannic acids in oak bark have astringent and anti-inflammatory qualities, due to which water extracts from plant materials are widely used in gastroenterological practice to treat diarrhea, and in dental practice to reduce gum bleeding.
By making the mucous membrane impervious to bacteria, which hardens under the influence of tannins, oak bark deprives infectious agents of the nutrient medium.
Over time, a natural replacement of the hardened layer of the mucous membrane with new healthy tissue occurs. Enterosorbents in the composition of the plant normalize the intestines and promote the elimination of toxins and metabolites.
In addition to tannic acids, the bark contains organic, kakhetins (antibacterial substances), quercetin (compound of the PP group), pectin fibers, pentosans, flavonoids, plant polyphenols, sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, polysaccharides, vitamins (groups B, C), minerals (potassium , calcium, magnesium, iron, melene, zinc, copper, manganese, nickel, etc.).
Oak bark has the following medicinal properties:
Even small oak trees shed their leaves in the fall, so don't be discouraged if the leaves on your tree turn yellow and fall off. Just wait for spring.
Stick a stick with a protective net around the seedling in the ground to prevent animals from eating it.
Examine the tree from which you collect acorns - it should be beautiful and healthy. If the parent tree has problems, choose another, better one.
How to plant an acorn oak at home and not spend money on purchasing a ready-made seedling in a nursery, because there is no one hundred percent guarantee that it will take root - this is exactly the question that this article will be devoted to.
- it is not just a tree - a long-lived giant. Many legends and magical stories are associated with it. It has long been a symbol of wisdom, longevity, health, strength and power. It is believed that if a person leans against a tree, it will give him strength, replenish his energy supply. In addition, the oak has a spreading crown, which on hot days serves as protection from the scorching rays of the sun. Here, under a tree, you can not only relax, but also replenish your strength.
The oak planted in the garden will delight more than one generation of family members. And what is not unimportant, it is not so difficult to grow an oak from an acorn at home. And it can be conditionally divided into several stages:
- training seed material;
- planting an acorn in the ground;
- care of young seedlings;
- landing in open ground.
Having studied each of the points, you can safely start growing oak at home.
Seed preparation
The seeds of the majestic oak are acorns. They can be purchased at the store or assembled by yourself. This is done in the fall, at the end of September, when the acorns are ripe. It is best to pluck them directly from the tree, while it must be healthy, without external signs damage or disease, the quality of the seed depends on this factor. After harvesting, the acorns should be examined. A good quality seed should have good caps. And the protective shell is dense, intact, without cracks, stains, mold, worms, etc. After visual inspection, the acorns are tested with water. To do this, they are dipped into a container with liquid. room temperature... All floating specimens are immediately removed and discarded, they are rotten or dry inside and are not suitable for planting. And those that drowned are taken out of the water and laid out on a paper towel to dry out.
The next stage of seed preparation is stratification. Its conditions depend on how the acorn oak will be grown.
You can immediately plant the acorn in open ground and during the winter it will undergo stratification. But gardeners also often practice growing oak in a pot. Then the acorns are mixed with sawdust, moss or wood shavings, placed in an airtight container or bag and placed on top shelf in the refrigerator, where it should be at a temperature of zero degrees, it is about two months. All this time, it is necessary to maintain the moisture content of the substrate in which the acorns are located. After the due date, the seeds will begin to germinate. Then they are planted. But more on that later. The main thing is to carry out all further actions extremely carefully, since the roots and sprouts that the acorn started up are quite fragile and can be severely damaged.
Planting an acorn in the ground
So, how to grow an oak from an acorn at home in two ways, then we will consider them in order.
In the fall, immediately after harvesting acorns, they can be immediately planted outdoors. But the following conditions must be observed:
- the right place. The site must be sunny and located at least six meters from buildings and other trees;
- fertile soil. To improve germination and favorable development of a young tree, it is best to add leafy soil and humus to the prepared planting pit;
- treatment of acorns with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (can be combined with placing in water to test germination);
- the treated acorn is placed horizontally when planting, deepening it six centimeters into the soil;
- planted acorn, and it is best if there are several of them at once, then it will be possible to select the most viable seedlings, and remove others, you need to water it regularly before the onset of frost.
How to plant acorns in pots. This way of growing an oak from an acorn at home is more painstaking. This process begins in the spring, after the seed has been stratified in the refrigerator and formed roots.
The first step is to prepare containers for planting acorns. These can be small pots, containers, plastic cups, and others. In any case, a hole must be provided in them to drain the liquid.
Then prepare the substrate. You can buy soil for seedlings or prepare yourself from soil and humus.
After preparing the soil and containers, you can start planting. Acorns should be planted deeper than two centimeters, roots down. After that, the soil needs to be watered. And this must be done regularly. The soil should be constantly moist, but it is also not worth overfilling. Growing seedlings should take place in a well-lit and warm room. It is best to place pots of acorns on sunny windowsills, but when shoots appear, they need to be protected from direct rays, especially at noon when the sun is especially active.
Care of young seedlings
The first shoots appear only after one or two months. The first few leaves will appear soon. If acorns were planted in containers of several pieces or in small pots, then a pick should be done. This is done when the seedling has reached fifteen centimeters in size and has formed several leaves.
Young oak trees grown from acorns need constant care. They need to be watered regularly. And also the oak seedling needs to be gradually hardened. Indeed, by the time of disembarkation in open ground, it must be adapted to low temperaturesand the winds and the rain.
To do this, pots with young trees are periodically taken out into the street. Only this should be done gradually. Starting from fifteen to twenty minutes, then increasing the duration of the stay in the fresh air.
After two years, the trees can be planted in a permanent place.
Landing in open ground
Some gardeners plant young oak trees in the garden as soon as they have reached fifteen to twenty centimeters. Others prefer to grow trees, and they are planted in open ground only after two years. You need to do this in early spring, until the leaves bloom.
An important point is the selection of a site where the oak will grow and soil preparation.
As already mentioned, the place in the garden should be sunny and spacious. The soil should be dug up and humus added to the ground. Since the oak loves fertile soil.
Then do landing pits, the size of which should correspond to the root system of the seedling, taking into account the earthen coma, with which the trees need to be planted. After planting, the oak needs to be watered, the earth should be compacted. And mulch the root circle.
The planted trees need care. They should be watered regularly, and the mulch layer should be renewed periodically.
Also as preventive measures young seedlings should be regularly treated with pesticides.
Starting from the third year of life, oak can be fed with mineral fertilizers.
Also, an oak planted in the garden will need sanitary pruning of damaged and dried branches.
The oak grows slowly, so the fruit can be expected in 20-40 years.