Seed Collecting

KZitzewitz

When is a good time for seed collecting, I remember around this time last year, I think me or someone posted about this, now its time again, accorns are starting to get their shape... for the following when will be good times to accuire seeds, and how will I know if they are ready?
Oak (quercus robur)
zelkova (least thats what I think they are)

__________________
--Kristopher

Advertisement

Robert

Collect the acorns when they begin to turn brown.....and they pop out of their caps quite easily. After you've gathered a quantity, put them in a bowl of water overnight. In the morning throw away all those floating on the surface, (They have become inhabited with worms which eat out the insides, and therefor they float.....and wouldn't germinate anyway). The "sinkers"are the good ones. I plant them in pots, about 2 inches deep in well draining, (bonsai mix) soil. water regularly (with your trees) and you will have seedlings in the spring. Wire them into interesting dynamic shapes the second year. When you get long branching growth, cut them back to two leaves.....and keep doing this. You'll have some cute "shohin" for a while, and then let them grow more into larger interesting trees. Enjoy them for what they are at each stage of their growth......don't be anticipating "giant oaks from little acorns grow".
The height of optimism is the 80 year old person who sows acorns for oak bonsai........but what's wrong with being an optimist? I'm not suggesting you are 80 years old.....but whatever your age, enjoy yourself for every stage of your growth.........just like the oaks.
Good luck and enjoy.......
Robert in Sta..Cruz