Cork oak seedlings!

[bonhe]

Since I saw a post of small cork oak on the forum lately, I decide to make this thread!
In my area, I found lot of oak trees in the park or the streets. One day in 1/ 2012, while I 'm boardskating with my kids, I accidentally found this cork oak tree. It is only one I found so far in my area!!
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

Then I found lot of acorns laying down on the ground. I collected all of them!
When I got home, I placed those acorns into the bowl of water and let them there over 24 hours. All of the acorns were not floated. That's good! Then I sowed one acorn into each small container on 1/19/2012(I used Starbuck cup and foam cup!)

On 3/3/2012, I noticed the white root poked out the drainage hole in the bottom of the cup. At that time, I didn't see any sign of living on the surface of the soil! What do you think about this phenomenon?
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

on 4/13/12, some of the containers showed the life.
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

On 8/11/12, lot of seedlings. Some of them were ready for the first training. I wired them then twisted and bended clockwise and counterclockwise to bring them down. By this, I would add the movement needed to trunk line in the future.
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

On 10/7/2012, the rest of the lot was ready for the first training.
In the near future, I will transplant them to the bigger container. That time, I will start doing some root works.
Bonhe

 

[Bob O]

Great start Bonhe. To bulk up the trunks, plant them in a growing bed before next spring. In a few years you should have some nice material.

Bob O

 

[bonhe]

Great start Bonhe. To bulk up the trunks, plant them in a growing bed before next spring. In a few years you should have some nice material.

Bob O

Hi Bob O,
I wish my yard was big enough to do that!
Bonhe

 

[gergwebber]

On 3/3/2012, I noticed the white root poked out the drainage hole in the bottom of the cup. At that time, I didn't see any sign of living on the surface of the soil! What do you think about this phenomenon?
Bonhe

this is my major concern with collecting oaks. That foot plus of root growth that precedes anything else is a genius survival trait: use all that starch to send a root straight down in the wet season and have an established tap root by summer! But trying to confine it to a pot without pruning, or attempting collection from the wild after a few years unchecked growth can mean death for the tree.

people often say that oaks, especially cal. natives cannot handle irrigation in summer. But if they are raised in such conditions from the begining, they will be fine. GREAT START!

 

[bonhe]

this is my major concern with collecting oaks. That foot plus of root growth that precedes anything else is a genius survival trait: use all that starch to send a root straight down in the wet season and have an established tap root by summer! But trying to confine it to a pot without pruning, or attempting collection from the wild after a few years unchecked growth can mean death for the tree.

people often say that oaks, especially cal. natives cannot handle irrigation in summer. But if they are raised in such conditions from the begining, they will be fine. GREAT START!

I agree with you.
Bonhe