During fall-winter 2016 I collected roughly 100-150 live oak acorns from a friends property located a short drive from the sierra national forest. I have been unable to determine the exact species of oak but so far the closest match is the Coast Live oak. Leaves have sharp pointed tips and the accorns were long and skinny.
So far I have at least 20 successful saplings in 3 size pots- 3" squares for germinating, 3/4 gallon, and one in a 4 gallon pot. It seems that the younger, newly germinated trees are growing faster and more healthy than the latter. The larger and older trees are beginning to brown at the tips as well as lose leaves, etc. My end goal is to plant a few in the ground to grow large and for s long time. As well as keep s few successful bonsai.
I recently re-potted to loosen/aerate the soil and improve root growth. Some of the first soil packs were way too hard and moisture retentive(never allowing them to dry out fully). Some of the roots had grown heavily into the bottom of their pots whereas the roots with more dense soil remained small and no horizontal chutes established.
If anyone can tell me possibly why I have leaf browning in the older saplings I would really appreciate it.
The soil is a mixture of organic gardening soil and cactus and palm soil for a slight, sandy water draining effect.
I will add pictures for more detail and explanation. They are receiving lots of sun and water- as well as some aero-salinity due to the fact I am 200 yards from the ocean.
So far I have at least 20 successful saplings in 3 size pots- 3" squares for germinating, 3/4 gallon, and one in a 4 gallon pot. It seems that the younger, newly germinated trees are growing faster and more healthy than the latter. The larger and older trees are beginning to brown at the tips as well as lose leaves, etc. My end goal is to plant a few in the ground to grow large and for s long time. As well as keep s few successful bonsai.
I recently re-potted to loosen/aerate the soil and improve root growth. Some of the first soil packs were way too hard and moisture retentive(never allowing them to dry out fully). Some of the roots had grown heavily into the bottom of their pots whereas the roots with more dense soil remained small and no horizontal chutes established.
If anyone can tell me possibly why I have leaf browning in the older saplings I would really appreciate it.
The soil is a mixture of organic gardening soil and cactus and palm soil for a slight, sandy water draining effect.
I will add pictures for more detail and explanation. They are receiving lots of sun and water- as well as some aero-salinity due to the fact I am 200 yards from the ocean.
Joking aside, if you repotted, or even changed out the soil in the larger pots, it will disturb the trees and cause them to pause in their growth (at best). If the little trees have been growing untouched in the 3" containers, that is one possible reason for the smaller trees to seem to be stronger.
