How to grow oak from acorn at home

Oak has long been considered a symbol of stability, power and longevity. Some people are proud of the perennial huge oaks that were planted by their fathers and grandfathers. Maybe you want to plant a powerful tree that will grow for more than one century. Perhaps, after many, many years, your children and grandchildren will also proudly say - this oak tree was planted by my father (grandfather).

To grow an oak from an acorn is a long process that takes more than one year. However, the cultivation of oak trains patience, endurance, teaches timeliness and regularity. Everyone can grow an oak tree, but for this you need to know a few subtleties. Involve children in the process - it will not only interest them, but also teach them to be more careful and reverent about nature. So, how to grow an oak from an acorn at home.

Choosing acorns

Acorns are collected in early autumn, when their cap will be easily separated from the fruit itself. By the way, the cap of acorns during harvesting can be removed, they do not carry any value, it is just a mount to the branches and protection of the fetus.

When you bring acorns home, you need to sort them out. Wormy, moldy, empty, rotten and other damaged fruits need to be thrown out - nothing will sprout from them. The remaining acorns must be soaked in a container with water. When soaking unsuitable for growing acorns emerge, it means that they are empty inside. They also need to be removed. The remaining fruits on the bottom must be blotted with a towel and left to dry. To do this, lay them on paper or cloth, and then place them in a ventilated place. Dry acorns in open sunlight is not recommended.

Germination

When cultivating acorns are ready and dried, they need to be stratified. Stratification is an artificial imitation of conditions close to natural. That is, you need to provide humidity and temperature appropriate for this time of year. Since the collection of acorns falls on the beginning of autumn, it is necessary to stratify autumn conditions.

Stratification can be carried out in two ways. Divide the acorns into two parts. Most of it should be placed in plastic wrap and add sawdust, moss or vermiculite to the bag. These substances trap moisture. Close the bag and place it in a cold place. It can be a basement or just a fridge. Leave the acorns on the bottom shelf, the temperature there is usually around 8 degrees. Periodically you need to open the package so that the seeds have access to oxygen. Watch for humidity and pour water into the bag from time to time. But do not pour - if the moisture is more than it should - acorns rot.

The rest of the acorns need to sit in small cups. Fill containers with peat and place 2-3 acorns in each cup. Place the planted acorns next to the package.All fruits must grow in the same conditions, imitating the natural humidity and temperature.

Within a month or two, the seeds will begin to take root. Part of the acorns will not grow or rot, but more than half of the planted acorns are usually pleased with small roots.

Seedling

The next stage is to sit down sprouted acorns in cups. Carefully remove all content from the package. Be careful - the roots of the future oak at this stage are very vulnerable and easily broken. Gently sort the germinated fruits from rotting and non-germinating acorns. Acorns with roots put in small plastic cups of 200 ml. It is not necessary to plant deeply, it is enough that the root will be completely immersed in the ground. For planting, you can choose the soil from the area where the parent oak grew. But you can plant seedlings in the usual garden soil with the addition of peat. Do not forget to make holes on the walls of the cup before planting. This is done to remove excess water from irrigation. If this is not done, the young roots will rot and die.

Those acorns that were not in the package, and were planted in glasses, you must also sort out. Gives root acorns need to sit down one by one in each glass.

The first time the seedlings need to be watered often enough. After planting for some time you may feel that nothing is happening and the acorn will not germinate. But it is not. The fact is that at first the oak is gaining strength in the roots and only after that it germinates. If you notice that the roots are cramped in small cups, they can be transplanted into larger containers. To plant oaks in open ground ahead of time is not worth it - unprotected young roots are a treat for rodents, and small leaves attract herbivores.

When can be planted seedlings in the soil

In order to determine whether the sapling is ready for independent growth, it is necessary to meet certain conditions. Pay attention to its leaves - if the sapling has more than five strong, healthy leaves - it means that it can be planted in open ground. Usually, the ready processes are planted in the soil within two to three weeks after planting. In this case, you need to pay attention to its roots - if they are large and white, it means that the plant is ready for independent growth.

Place for planting oak

When you plant a tree for a permanent place of its growth, you need to understand that here it will grow not only one day, but years, decades and even centuries. Therefore, the choice of a place to land should be considered very carefully.

Oak should be planted in an open area of ​​at least two square meters. Oak grows in almost any soil, however, when it is very young, it needs land rich in vitamins, minerals and fertilizer. Oak loves open sunny areas, it cannot grow in the shade.

When planting oak it is necessary to take into account that in the future the root system of the tree will be powerful and strong, so you should not plant the tree near water supply and other technical underground systems, near the foundation of the house, next to the paths and other buildings.

Oak grows large and sprawling, over time it will start to give a good shade. Plant it on a certain side of the house, so that the oak later cast a shadow on the dwelling.

Before planting oak ground need to dig and loosen. No other crops should grow near the seedling. A recess is made for planting so that the roots of the future tree are submerged in the ground.After that, the soil should be slightly compacted and pour abundantly.

How to care for oak

The first time after the landing of the oak it must be watered abundantly. At a distance of 20-30 cm from the germ sprinkle the soil with sawdust or crushed bark. This protects the ground from drying out and also prevents weeds from growing near the seedling.

Over time, oak requires less care. It grows rather slowly, however, if it starts, it will delight you throughout your life. The first fruits in the form of acorns will give a tree only in 10-20 years, depending on the type of oak. During the first few years, the oak needs to periodically enrich the soil - it needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers. Over the years, the tree will get stronger, the roots will go deep into the ground and the oak will only need regular watering.

Young saplings, among other things, need mechanical protection from animals. If there are rabbits, rodents or deer on the plot, the seedling should be protected with a small grid. To protect the plant from the cockchafer and aphid can be with the help of pesticides. They can be bought in any store for summer residents, they destroy pests, but they are absolutely harmless to plants and people.

As you know, every man should build a house, raise a son and plant a tree. The last item on this list is the easiest and most fascinating. If every person on earth would have planted one tree at least once in life, it would be better to live on the planet and breathe easier. Plant trees, and your descendants will appreciate your efforts!

Video: how an oak grew from an acorn