How to grow oak at home?

Content:

1. What to grow a tree from
2. Preparing an acorn
3. Germination
4. Soil for oak
5. Oak transplant
6. How to determine the readiness of seedlings to change the place
7. Finding the right place
8. How to plant correctly
9. Oak care

An adult oak is a tall, stately tree with dense foliage and a solid trunk. It is not for nothing that it has been a symbol of power, strength and knowledge since ancient times, as narrated by folk tales and works of the classic A.S. Pushkin.

In the modern world, oaks are planted in park and roadside areas, in a summer cottage and even at home in a pot, decorative bonsai are grown in a special way.

Growing oak in conditions close to home, and then transplanting it to a summer cottage or adjacent territory will allow you to acquire your own tree of strength and wisdom, which will delight the eye of more than one generation of observers.

What to grow a tree from

You can get a healthy and strong plant from any planting material - an acorn or a cutting. In the first case, it will take more time; a tall oak will grow from a finished shoot 2-4 years earlier. The stalk must be prepared, the roots germinate. However, there is no guarantee that such a seedling will take root. It is easier to grow an oak from an acorn, therefore this method is preferred. The growth rate in the first 2-3 years is much higher than in subsequent years, so the process of monitoring development will become an exciting activity for young family members and hobby growers.

Preparing an acorn

It is possible to grow an oak from an acorn quickly if the preparation of the planting material is carried out correctly.

Fruits are harvested in the fall, when the tree throws off the leaf and the acorns are fully ripe. In search of material, they go to the deciduous forest. In Russia, the most common oak is found, its other names are ordinary, summer or English. The plant is characterized by frequent branches, medium-sized leaves with rounded edges, brown-gray thick bark. The height of an adult is up to 40 meters.

There are 2 types of common oak: winter and summer... In summer, the leaves bloom in late spring in May-June, by autumn they almost do not change color and fall off until October. In winter, these processes occur 2-4 weeks later, the leaves acquire a dark brown color by October and can remain on the branches until the next flowering.

Fallen oak fruits are suitable for germination. It is necessary to listen to the acorn - to shake it and determine whether the core is alive in it (it should not blur). From the collection site, you need to take a little fallen native foliage and the topsoil. They are necessary to preserve the material until disembarkation.

Houses once again check the suitability of the material: cold water is poured into a basin and the fees are lowered there. The specimens that floated quickly to the surface are empty, nothing will grow out of them. Re-check is carried out after 5 minutes: those that have not surfaced are good raw materials for planting.

The most natural and favorable planting of a tree in the spring, for wintering the fruits are sent to hibernation in conditions close to natural:

• Take a jar with a lid, in which there should be holes for ventilation;
• The collected soil is placed in it mixed with foliage;
• An acorn is placed in a "fur coat";
• Close the jar with a lid and put it in a cellar or refrigerator, where the temperature is not lower than + 2-30C.

 

This “conservation” imitates wintering under a snow crust and the seed is preserved in its original form.

Germination

How to grow an oak from an acorn: then the fascinating process of plant development begins.

Before planting the overwintered fruit in the ground, it is necessary to germinate the roots... To do this, the closed "nuts" are placed in a humid environment, for example, in a bag with wet sphagnum, and left in the refrigerator for 90-120 days. How long it takes to pierce the roots depends on the type of tree.

 

When confident roots appear, the future seedling must be protected from mechanical damage.

If it was not possible to stock up on raw materials in the fall, you can find an already germinated acorn immediately after the snow melts, when the sprout has not yet entered the soil. You need to quickly pack it in a humid environment. It is impossible to keep the seedling outdoors for a long time - the roots require constant moisture and care.

Soil for oak

Oak is unpretentious to the soils of the middle lane, but loves fertile soil rich 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 soil from a country house or a 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 film 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 need to be transplanted into larger containers with soil replacement.

Oak transplant

When the seedlings have matured, it is time to transplant them into the ground in an open area.

How to determine the readiness of seedlings to change the place:

• The plant has reached a height of 15 cm or more, it is more than 100% taller than the pot;
• The root system is formed, the central core is clearly identified, it has a healthy white color;
• The plant has already put out leaves.

Finding the right place

Oak can only be replanted without damage at an early age. When a tree sits in one place for a long time, its root system grows and deepens, the plant takes its place thoroughly. This fact must be taken into account before transplanting. There should be enough free space on the site, you should not put new houses and structures near the oak - the root system in the future is capable of violating the integrity of the foundation.

The oak cannot stand a dark place - it is impossible to plant it in the shade or under other mature trees, it will take root for a long time, the growth rate drops significantly, you will not have to wait for a mighty stately representative of the Bukovy family.

Where to plant an oak in the country:

1. The place must be open;
2. The light-loving oak should be identified in the west - south of the site;
3. In the future, a grown tree with a rich crown will itself become a source of a dark place, therefore, it is not worth placing a seedling in places where it is inappropriate;
4. There should be no communications and paths near the place that can be damaged by roots.

How to plant correctly

Algorithm of actions for a successful transplant:

1. 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.
2. A platform with a diameter of 1.5 meters is dug up, achieving the homogeneity of the soil and its loosening for enrichment with oxygen.
3. Dig a hole several centimeters deep more than the length of the roots, moisten it.
4. A seedling is taken out of the pot along with the soil and transferred to the prepared hole, sprinkled with earth, and compacted.
5. Water the planting abundantly. Do not be afraid to flood the roots - excess moisture will go deep into the soil.
6. 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.

Oak care

Like any plant, a young oak tree requires care and attention. At first, in an open space, "new settlers" may feel uncomfortable - a new place, soil, lighting. It is important to constantly monitor their condition.

Young shoots are attractive to birds and rodents. To prevent uninvited guests from spoiling the plant, they arrange protection - a small frequent fence around the planting. To avoid the attack of insects, the foliage is treated with pesticides.

Any kind of young oak requires high light and constant moisture. To avoid competition on the site, the area around must be cleared of foreign plants and fast-growing trees.

At first, the oak tree requires constant watering.

You need to take care of the plant until it gets stronger, on average, up to 4-5 years... Upon reaching this time, a young tree up to 1.5 meters high will already flaunt at the dacha.

How to grow an oak is now clear, there is nothing difficult about it, it is enough to be patient for several years.

Already after 30-40 years, a lonely oak begins to bear fruit - once every 6-8 years, acorns ripen on the branches, from which new seedlings can appear.

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

Growing an oak from an acorn is a lengthy process that takes more than one year. However, the cultivation of oak trains patience, endurance, teaches timeliness and regularity. Anyone can grow an oak, but for this you need to know a few subtleties. Involve children in the process - this 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

Everyone knows that the fruits of the oak are acorns. The best, strongest and healthiest specimens should be selected for inoculation. When collecting acorns, it is very important to understand that a certain percentage of the fruits will be spoiled, some acorns simply will not rise, some of them will die at the stage of planting cuttings. To grow at least a few mature oaks, you need to collect at least 300 acorns.

The acorns are harvested in early spring when the cap will easily separate from the fruit itself. By the way, the cap of acorns can be removed during collection, they do not carry any value, it is just an attachment to the branches and protection of the fruit.

When you bring the acorns home, you need to sort them out. Wormy, moldy, empty, rotten and other spoiled fruits must be thrown out - nothing will germinate from them. The rest of the acorns must be soaked in a container with water. When soaked, acorns that are not suitable for growing will float, which means that they are empty inside. They also need to be removed. The fruits remaining at the bottom must be blotted with a towel and left to dry. To do this, lay them out on paper or cloth, and then place them in a ventilated place. Drying acorns in direct sunlight is not recommended.

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Germination

When growable 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 ensure the humidity and temperature is appropriate for this time of year. Since acorns are harvested at the beginning of autumn, autumn conditions need to be stratified.

Stratification can be done in two ways. Divide the acorns in half. Most should be wrapped in plastic wrap and added to the bag with sawdust, moss or vermiculite. These substances retain moisture. Close the bag and place it in a cool place. It could be a basement or just a refrigerator. Leave the acorns on the bottom shelf, the temperature is usually around 8 degrees. From time to time you need to open the bag so that the seeds have access to oxygen. Monitor the humidity and add water to the bag from time to time. But do not pour - if there is more moisture than it should be, the acorns will rot.

The rest of the acorns should be planted in small cups. Fill the containers with peat and place 2-3 acorns in each glass. Place planted acorns next to the bag. All fruits must grow under the same conditions that mimic natural moisture and temperature.

Within one and a half to two months, the seeds will begin to take root. Some acorns never grow or rot, but more than half of the planted acorns usually delight with small roots.

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Seedling

The next step is to place the sprouted acorns in cups. Carefully remove all contents from the bag. Be careful - the roots of the future oak at this stage are very vulnerable and break easily. Carefully sort out sprouted fruits from rotten and unsprouted acorns. Place the acorns with roots in small 200 ml plastic cups. It is not necessary to plant deeply, it is enough only that the root is 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 ordinary 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, young roots rot and die.

Those acorns that were not in the package, but were seated in glasses, must also be sorted out. The acorns that gave the root must be planted one in each glass.

At first, the seedlings need to be watered often enough. After planting for a while, it may seem to you that nothing is happening and the acorn will not sprout. But this is not the case. The fact is that at first the oak is gaining strength in the roots and only after that it sprouts. If you notice that the roots are getting cramped in small cups, they can be transplanted into larger containers. It is not worth planting oaks in open ground ahead of time - unprotected young roots are a delicacy for rodents, and small leaves attract herbivores.

When can you plant seedlings in the soil

In order to determine whether a seedling is ready for independent growth, you need to meet certain conditions. Pay attention to its leaves - if the seedling has more than five strong, healthy leaves, it means that it can be planted in open ground. Usually, ready-made shoots 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, then the plant is ready for independent growth.

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Planting oak

When you plant a tree in its permanent place of growth, you need to understand that it will grow here not one day, but years, decades and even centuries. Therefore, the choice of a landing site must be taken very scrupulously.

The 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 soil rich in vitamins, minerals and fertilizers.Oak loves open sunny areas; it cannot grow in the shade.

When planting oak, it must be borne in mind 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 paths and other buildings.

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

Before planting oak, the ground must be dug up and loosened. No other crops should grow near the seedling. For planting, a recess is made so that the roots of the future tree are immersed in the ground. After that, the soil must be slightly compacted and watered abundantly.

How to care for an oak tree

The first time after planting an oak, it must be watered abundantly. At a distance of 20-30 cm from the sprout, the soil is sprinkled with sawdust or crushed bark. This protects the soil from drying out, and also prevents weeds from growing near the seedling.

Over time, oak requires less maintenance. It grows rather slowly, however, if taken, it will delight you throughout your life. The tree will give its first fruits in the form of acorns only after 10-20 years, depending on the type of oak. During the first few years, the oak needs periodic soil enrichment - 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 seedlings, among other things, need mechanical protection from animals. If there are rabbits, rodents or deer on the site, the seedling must be protected with a small trellis. You can protect the plant from the May beetle and aphids with pesticides. They can be bought at any store for summer residents, they destroy pests, but they are absolutely harmless to plants and people.

As you know, every man must build a house, raise a son and plant a tree. The last item on this list is the easiest and most fun. If every person on earth planted one tree at least once in his life, life on the planet would become better, and breathing easier. Plant trees and your descendants will appreciate your efforts!

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Video: how an oak grew from an acorn

Oak is a tree that fits well into garden landscaping. 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 the correct cultivation of 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 necessary material, you should definitely perform 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 shavings or vermiculite. The fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for two months (until the leaves germinate).

Experienced gardeners choose acorns that can easily come off the cap.

It serves for protection and during separation it is impossible to harm the material. The best time to pick acorns is in the early fall. 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:

1. 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.
2. Use small pots. 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).
3. 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.
4. Abundant watering of seedlings during the first weeks.

Seedlings need a lot of light, so you need to provide them with the right 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, the root system of the tree is formed, 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 it. A favorable place for planting is considered to be the area in which there will be enough space for the development of wood and light. When landing, you need to focus on the following criteria:

1. Maximum illumination. Oak requires sunshine. When receiving heat, it accelerates in development and growth. Therefore, choosing places with a lot of shade is not the best choice for gardeners.
2. Planting a tree should be away from water pipes, roads, and other things. This will help avoid damage during various jobs.
3. Place away from other vegetation. If you plant next to other plants, then 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. At the same time, the depth should not exceed 25 cm. The ground before planting must be wet, therefore, soil watering is used. Then they start digging 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:

1. When compacting the ground, tilt away from the seedlings. Such a procedure will prevent water from lingering near the oak trunk and will prevent damage.
2. 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.
3. You can plant a couple of acorns. This can be done in order to increase the likelihood of a successful landing. The sprouts are placed inside the pit, covered with soil about 3 cm thick.

Proper care of oak

Planted trees need special attention. Proper care consists of the following components:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Pruning. Pruning 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 period.
4. Shelter. During the winter cold - cover the trunk with a high density cloth. This procedure will help protect the oak from the cold. At
5. Weed removal. It is not recommended to use chemical methods of weed control, as it can harm the development of oak. Chemicals are an extreme disposal method.
6. Mulching the soil. Mulch enriches the soil and roots with organic matter and maintains soil moisture.

Branch necrosis or powdery mildew is a threat to a young tree. Powdery mildew is a type of fungal disease that can spread 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 with decis (25 g / 1 l of liquid), kinmix (50 g / 1 l of water) is used. 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 while growing them to maximize the likelihood of a healthy tree.

Oak is a majestic tree, it is mentioned in many tales and legends. It is considered one of the longest-lived trees in our country. Its age can reach over 400 years, and in some cases it can live up to 2 thousand years. Up to 150 years old, the oak is considered still young, since it is up to this age that it continues to grow. Its fruits, acorns, are the seeds of this beautiful tree and are known to everyone, and its strong wood is valued all over the world. Many people want to see this great tree in their plots and cities, and often wonder how to grow an oak from an acorn.

When is the best time to plant

To plant an oak tree, we need good quality seeds (acorns). Collect them preferably in the fall or spring. It is worth noting that there is much more chance of sprouting an oak from an acorn in the spring than from those that you can plant in the fall. After all, the probability that autumn oak acorns will sprout is only 10%. Therefore, it is advisable to plant them in the spring, but since finding suitable acorns for planting in the spring is very problematic (due to rodents and bacteria that spoil the seeds), it will be better to keep high-quality acorns that you can collect in the fall until spring.

How to store seeds (acorns) before planting

The fruits that you collect, it is advisable to wash with soap and water, this will kill bacteria, fungi and mold, which can then significantly harm the future small tree. A cellar or basement is perfect for storing seeds (acorns), since moisture and little ventilation is what we need. The temperature should be slightly above 0C. It should be stored at this temperature for about 90 days (before spring planting) in order for scarification and stratification (exposure to cold) to take place and the fruit can germinate. You can also use the refrigerator for storage.

Growing oak from acorns at home

Of course, you are much more likely to get a healthy tree if you grow an oak from an acorn at home. However, the seeds (acorns) must be stratified anyway. And so everything is in order:

1. First you need to collect quality seeds for planting. This is best done in the fall, since then the chances that you will find good acorns for planting are much greater.
2. You need to conduct a small test, "are they suitable for planting", as with nuts, a test with water is perfect here: Put water in a container, then you need to pour the acorns that you collected for planting there, those acorns that floated up are not suitable for planting ... It is also worth considering that deformed and soft acorns are also not suitable for planting, as they can be rotten inside.
3. Stratification (exposure to cold). Dry fruits must be placed in a container in which a little moisture will be well preserved. To do this, you can add nutrient mixtures (for example, moss or shavings) to the container to help keep moisture in. Then the container with acorns should be stored in a cool place (refrigerator, cellar, basement ...), the temperature should be around 0C for up to 90 days.
4. It is necessary to monitor the seeds, since depending on the fruit, some of them will begin to germinate within 40 days.
5. It is necessary to plant acorns (which have sprouted), a regular pot is perfect for this (you can also use another container). It is advisable to plant each acorn in a separate container. You need to plant it with the root down (the removable acorn cap is its root) about 2 centimeters in depth. Remember that holes should be punched in the containers where you plant the acorn at the bottom (as in any pot for house plants) to drain excess moisture.
6. It is necessary to regularly water and care for the planted plants. Oak loves moisture, so you need to water until water flows from the lower holes. When leaving, it is worth considering that oak is also a sun-loving plant, so it is advisable to place containers with seedlings in the appropriate place.
7. Soon you will receive seedlings that you can already plant. However, you can continue to grow the oak at home to the state of a full-fledged seedling. What to do is up to you.

How an oak grew from an acorn: Video