Growing evergreen oaks from seed

dermodyr · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Posts: 13

Hi,

Put a load of acorns in polypots last autumn and they are taking off nicely in the last few weeks.

However the acorns from the evergreen oak that I planted haven't taken at all. I'm wondering if they need(ed) to be scarified first before seeding.

Sorry Google is not throwing me back anything worthwhile.

tippben · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 11:51 am Post subject:

First of all, is it Quercus ilex, the Holly/Holm oak? I presume you meant "stratify", exposing them to cold? No, they don't need that. "scarifying" = cutting the seed coating. A bad idea. For any acorn, first drop them in a bucket of water. Only plant the ones that sink. If your acorns dried out at all, that would've killed them. Otherwise, hope for the best, and perhaps try again next year.

dermodyr · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Posts: 13

Yep the Quercus Ilex.

Jaysus Im such an idiot. I think I planted some part of the flower instead. Embarassed

Should have realised that its an oak so the acorn should somewhat resemble a sessile oak acorn Embarassed

Not to worry I'll try again his Autumn.

tippben · Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 4:25 pm Post subject:

Ah Dermot! You brought a smile to my lips for the first time today! At least we figured out the problem. :wink: