Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Saturday - April 21, 2012
From: Huntsville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Trees
Title: Care for oak acorns after planting from Huntsville TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I planted oak trees from acorns, how often and how much do I water them?ANSWER:
When we searched on the Internet on "planting oaks from acorns," we got a lot of hits. We don't know what kind of oak you have, if you planted it in the ground, etc. so we selected this article from the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service on Growing Oak Trees from Seed. As for how much to water the seeds, if they are in the ground, let the rain do it-oaks have been growing from seeds for millions of years without help from humans. If it is in a pot, make sure the pot is well-drained, and don't soak it. A nice sprinkle once a week should be adequate. And don't be surprised if a lot of the oaks don't sprout-squirrels or worms may beat you to them, the seeds may be infertile, the soil wrong, etc. If every acorn that fell to the ground sprouted, there would be no room for the rest of us on Earth.
More Trees Questions
Distance apart to plant oaks in Denton TX
August 26, 2009 - How far apart should I plant Pin Oaks and Shumard Red Oaks in our yard? All around us are native oaks, but our backyard has none. I want to create a "forest" that looks like they are native, but n...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting a blue spruce from Pingee Grove IL
August 30, 2012 - Transplant 18" Blue spruce from 5 gal. bucket to ground.
view the full question and answer
Variegated leaves on Ungnadia speciosa (Mexican buckeye)
April 11, 2007 - I grew some mexican buckeyes from seed last year and one of them has variegated leaves. I haven't seen this before- have I just not looked at enough mexican buckeyes up close or is this an uncommon f...
view the full question and answer
Over-trimmed junipers in Shell Beach CA
May 16, 2010 - Help! My husband decided to "trim" the juniper bushes that are in front of our house that create a great private front yard. I guess he cut back into the dead wood and now nothing is regrowing. It'...
view the full question and answer
Blooms on Desert Willow withering quickly in Rockwall TX
July 15, 2010 - Why do the blooms on my Desert Willow dry up and wither away in one or two days?
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
