Question:
Thanks for answering our other question about our
oak acorns. Last fall our Red Oak Tree dropped its acorns and my 3
children and myself planted them this spring in small cups and have
wire over them to protect it from animals. We have not had one of
our many (more than 100) cups produce a sprout. I have tried to
keep them watered but as hot as it has been and with vacations we
have let them get dry for several days. I believe they should have
germinated this spring after we planted them. What have we done
wrong? Also I am worried about the winter. How should we protect
them from the elements? If they do sprout will the cold effect them
for next spring? If not?
Replies:
Possibly helpful. The acorns might have required a cold treatment
(to simulate wintering):
If the Red Oak is relatively native to your area, it has the
physiological capability to produce seed that germinate and grow into
saplings under the typical natural growth conditions. Many seeds have a
dormancy period. The length is defined by different factors for
different seeds. For some weeds, light will trigger germination.
Whatever environmental conditions that occur between the formation of a
mature seed and seed germination in nature are potential triggers for
germination. My guess for the oak is a cold treatment. The triggers
allow a seed to coordinate its germination with a specific time or
condition in the year that will increase its odds for survival.
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