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Growing a tree from a nut #819966

Asked February 08, 2023, 11:50 AM EST

We’re in the Mankato area and trying to grow Burr Oak trees from acorns we collected last year. So far we have approx. 28 growing indoors under a grow light. The light usage is daily 7:30am to 8:30pm. Should we back off on the growlight time (like the sunlight is shorter during the winter months) so the trees think it’s fall/winter? They are starting to turn and drop leaves but it’s almost time for the new leaves to take over. Any help would be appreciated and also direction to information available.

Blue Earth County Minnesota

Expert Response

Wow! Your seedlings look very healthy. Usually sprouting acorns is done outside in a protected area so they are growing with the season. 

When growing any plants indoors under lights, you want to have your lights just above the plants so that they grow strong and not to tall and spindly. You also will want to put a fan on them at times to mimic a gentle breeze. This make them stronger. 

Since you have them indoors, I would set your lights to mimic regular daytime. It’s natural that they will drop some leaves but yours look very healthy - no chlorosis or wilting. As soon as you can, start to acclimate them to the outside beginning with very short times. 

When you transplant them in the spring be sure to protect them for the first 2 years at least. Some of them will not make it, but you have plenty. 

Here are a couple of articles that should be helpful. Also, there is an excellent book by Ken Druse Making More Plants that you can probably find at your local library.

https://www.thespruce.com/growing-bur-oak-5091583

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/yard-and-garden-handling-germinating-and-planting-acorns

Deb Reierson Replied February 09, 2023, 5:33 PM EST

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