How to Plant Acorns? Detailed Explanation of Methods and Key Technical Points
The acorn comes from a plant called the oak tree. Its starch content is only slightly lower than that of soybeans, and its protein, fat and other nutrients are all higher than those of the five grains. It is generally used to make acorn flour and acorn starch, and can also be used to make tofu and brew alcohol. It can also be used in industrial manufacturing, such as textiles, papermaking and printing and dyeing. So how are acorns grown from seed? Let us explore its planting methods below.
1. Planting Conditions
In China, acorns are mainly distributed in the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains, the Changbai Mountains, the Qinling Mountains, the Daba Mountains and the Dabie Mountains. It is tolerant of poor soil and drought and has strong adaptability. So it actually has few requirements for the growing environment; generally, any area with a climate similar to these planting sites can grow acorns. For land preparation, the pit-digging method is usually all that is needed, and sufficient base fertilizer should be applied during land preparation. The base fertilizer is mainly decomposed farmyard manure or organic fertilizer.
2. Seed Treatment
Acorn seeds must not be exposed to the sun; they should be stored in a cool place, and mixed with wet sand during storage. Before sowing, take the seeds out, soak them in warm water, remove them after ten minutes, then mix them with fungal soil and sow. This can kill insects and sterilise the acorn seeds and improve the seeds' own immunity.
3. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Acorns can be sown in spring or autumn and winter. Spring is generally around March or April each year, while autumn and winter are from November to December. To grow oak trees, we need to raise seedlings in a seedbed and transplant them later. On the prepared seedbed, sow the acorns evenly at a row spacing of 20 cm, with about 8 to 10 cm between each seed. Finally, cover with soil to bury the seeds; the covering soil is generally about 3 cm thick, and the covering must be even so that the seedlings emerge uniformly.
4. Transplanting Seedlings and Afforestation
About one month after sowing, the seedlings will emerge. We generally wait until the plants have grown to a certain size before transplanting, preferably around 40 cm. An ordinary oak tree generally takes one year to reach 40 cm, which means the seedling-raising period is one year, and we need scientific water and fertiliser management. When the seedlings reach about 40 cm, plant them at a row spacing of 5 m and a plant spacing of 4 m. When transplanting, take care to protect the seedling roots, as this can increase the survival rate of transplanting.
5. Forest Management
Within one month after planting, we should reasonably control water and maintain soil moisture, watering irregularly. After one month, we should fertilise appropriately; in the early stage, mainly urea, supplemented with an appropriate amount of phosphate fertiliser, following the principle of frequent light applications. At the same time, during the growth of the oak tree, we should prune branches and leaves irregularly to promote the growth of the oak tree. However, when pruning, note that the cuts should be smooth and must not damage the bark of the oak tree and affect its growth. Finally, carry out intertillage and earthing up irregularly to promote nutrient absorption.
The above is an introduction to acorn planting methods. That is all for our sharing. To learn more about acorns, you can follow our website. At the same time, if you encounter any problems during planting, you can consult us.