Hello I'm new and joining you from sunny Mayo

ace · Hazel Tree Joined: 08 Aug 2008 Posts: 7

Hello everyone. I am a total novice when it comes to gardening and any success I have is due to luck rather than any expertise, which is one reason, why I have joined this site. I would like some advice on acorns and hope someone can give me some pointers.

Last year I collected a few acorns while in England and potted them into a small pot. I didn’t really expect them to take but was pleasantly surprised when all 5 started to grow and they are now about 6/7” high. I intended to repot them separately in the autumn but thought I would just ask everyone’s advice before taking any action. Confused

Sive · Rowan Tree Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 127

hello ace, welcome to the site...it is a glorious sunny evening here in Wexford too.
I once collected acorns, just as you did and it was so exciting to see the little trees germinate and start to grow.
I heard at the time that if you keep oaks in pots for too long, they don't transplant well, as apparently they have a taproot, that needs to be able to grow downwards, and if confined in a pot it just goes round and round instead, and then doesn't root as well when the young tree is transplanted.
Maybe someone else could confirm this?
So I suggest using deep pots...or maybe sawn off plastic bottles, and that way you would see how the roots were doing too!
Then you need to find someone with the space to grow the trees.
I gaveall of mine away to a farm and a country school.

ace · Hazel Tree Joined: 08 Aug 2008 Posts: 7

birdie · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

I agree with Sive on the sawn off plastic bottles or you could use the tall milk cartons as well. Good source of calcium. Laughing

. Have you the young plants indoors or outside ace, because if they are indoors, I reckon you should move them outside in the spring as this is the location which will make them thrive.

ace · Hazel Tree Joined: 08 Aug 2008 Posts: 7

Thanks for your advice.
I just picked up these acorns last year when I was in England, stuck them in a pot when I got back to Mayo and left them to it (outside the front door). I was surprised when all 5 started to grow but not knowing the best way to treat them just left them and all summer (such as it is) they have been looking fine but I became concerned because they have now out grown the pot.
I had intended to leave them a bit longer before repotting but after the advice I got the other day re taproot I panicked and have repotted them now.
They look fine and although I am sure it is the wrong time of year I don't think they would have survived as they were so I have got my fingers crossed.
It is my plan to put 2 in the ground when they get a bit bigger. Confused