I've never grown tham as Bonsai, mostly because I've watched others become frustrated with them. They don't take to leaf reduction at all, yes, they are slow growing, don't like to have the tap root cut and don't like restricted roots. They tend to turn out looking like a stick in a pot with big leaves. With everything else there is to work with why not use other things? This sport is hard enough without making it even harder. Bob

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.

Wow. I'm shocked. Those crowns are so full and healthy looking. Were they topped or sheared? Are you sure these aren't Chinese evergreen oak? Those are more common in the trade in the Atlanta area. Or Laurel oak? (Q. Laurifolia) Laural oak natural range does extend pretty far north in the state. Where are they if you don't mind me asking? I'd like to take a look at them next time I'm in that area.

Ian, those are wonderful pictures of your 2 evergreen oaks! Wish I had planted those too. Agree that oaks are very desireable and worth the slightly longer growing time. Alas, even though I did a huge amount of research before planting, some things were learned a little late. Will replace trees that croak with evergreen oaks if the spot is right. Thanks for the info Bahia. Didn't think of the snow factor. I'll have to prune my Quercus virginiana strategically so it will fit in its spot between the house and garage and then limb out over the roof, so perhaps the shorter lengths will help the load, don't know the physics of weight bearing. It's not misty enough where I am for the mosses and lichens to really drip, and the 1000s of birds in the yard would make short work of that spanish moss so thanks for that education. Will have to gaze at pictures for the spanish moss effect. Found a cool picture at wikipedia of a southern live oak, oooooeeeee, such a great tree!