The mix of sowing medium is probably fine, what you've done incorporating the Jiffy mix into the Miracle Grow is lighten up your end product with more peat and vermiculite. All of the nutrients for germination and early growth are already contained in the acorn, you don't need to concern yourself with that right now. Thoroughly wetting the sowing medium initially is good. From there, rather than on a schedule, you'll want to insure it's continuously damp, neither wet nor allowed to dry. It sounds like you may have your acorns a little shallow - "Stratification: Cold stratify for 30 days or until radicle emergence. (this has been done for you by mother nature and you are seeing the radicle/root in the acorns you collected) Germination: Sow seed 1 to 2 inches deep, tamp soil, keep moist, mulch seed bed." (suggestion for sowing outdoors) There is the chance if rain has fallen since the tree incident the chemical was moved through the soil to the area from which you collected the acorns, but don't despair - it seems propagation of these trees has been in effect for quite some time. Not to say you should not be attempting to grow your own, but "Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences has been growing -- and selling -- baby Toomer's Corner oak trees grown from acorns from the same historic trees"...From what I'm reading they have some at different ages now - it will be years before the original trees can be replaced with the now seedlings but there steps are being taken to decontaminate the soil, reinstate them.

I had the good fortune of getting two Live Oaks to sprout from acorns that I'd picked up in South Carolina while visiting family there. My little seedlings are now about 3 in tall and growing rapidly. I've seen a few others talking about trying to get these guys to grow in northern climates but none as far north as we are here in Chicago. Any thoughts on how to make this happen? It seems like from what I am seeing that they won't make it once they get big enough to go outside. I am hoping this is not the case. Otherwise they will have to make the trip back to their home state and live with their brothers and sisters. I also was surprised to see that people are using these trees as bonsai and patio trees. This was amazing to me after seeing the Angel Tree Oak in Charleston, SC with it�s 17,000 sq ft of shade area and other amazing specimens around the state. I do have one room with a 20� ceiling where this might be a possibility for them at least for awhile. Any advice at the best way to go about this? I�ve never tried something like this for a house tree outside of a ficus. Image link:

you said: I had to start a new thread because my message was rejected when I tried to add to the original thread. I forgot the most important thing, adjusting the tree to Pa. I have it on the porch, wrapped with bubble wrap ( leaves , branches)and close to brick house, I am afraid it will get less attention in the barn. The porch has a roof and awning and being brick may help a couple degrees, it's between some furniture to slow winds. Ken or anyone else chime in. I want it to be cold but not to shock it. ====>>>> again.. i have no experience with this particular oak .... nor zone pushing oaks.. etc ... OK??? ===>>>> now to repeat.. you said: I have it on the porch, wrapped with bubble wrap ( leaves , branches)and close to brick house, I am afraid it will get less attention in the barn. ++>>>> it is my GUESS.. that everything is wrong with that statement ... starting from the end .... and yelling... WHAT ATTENTION DOES A DORMANT TREE NEED??? zip.. zero.. nada ... zilch ... put it in the barn.. with a little snow or ice cube.. and walk away ... bubblewrap ... WHY???? ... my fear isnt a few degrees of cold.. its that day it zooms up.. and the bubble wrap keeps it too hot.. all night long .... and.. TREES NEED AIR.. not plastic .... if its incredible loose ... maybe.. but IN THE BARN.. i probably wont need it .... YOU HAVE TO INSURE IT STAYS DORMANT.. and the wrap can screw that up .... [carp.. its evergreen isnt it???? .... man this is stumping me ... and i am admitting that.. so you dont take everything i say as gospel ... no attached garage huh????] i have one truism in the garden.. we kill more things with too much love.. than with benign neglect.. but for water ... you are going to love this thing to death ... try to avoid that .... i have to ruminate on this further .... ken

Southern Live Oak does well in our Valley areas (east and very east of here). I've never seen it in Southern California and I know it doesn't like alkaline soils (as you have there). It also takes quite a few years before it becomes truly "drought tolerant"). And I assume you know that it does become a VERY LARGE tree. Not exactly a patio tree. Joe