I want to further this post by asking one more question. I live in an apartment and have planted some shumard and live oaks in a 5 gallon pot. The problem is, I don't get direct sunlight in my apartment, but I keep the pot close to window for light. What I am planning to do is to hopefully either plant some at my brother's backyard, and maybe, somehow, if it's possible grow them inside my apartment for me. I don't know how fast they'll grow, and how big pot will I need over the next year. It's been two weeks since put this acorns and it's my first time experience. Ideally, I was planning to grow acorn from the seed for my future house, which is still 2 years away. The other important thing I read about is to not allow the plant roots to circle the pot. I wonder, how can I deal with the growing tap root in the pot, considering their growth is four times longer than their size above the ground. I know, these are a lots of questions, but if someone can answer them for me, that would be really helpful to me. Thank you so much.

I have grown rhododendrons from seed the last couple of years but not Rh. maximum. However, the process for sowing most hardy rhododendron species is basically the same. Sowing in situ just does not work in my opinion. Too many factors that you cannot control (weather, insects, animals etc.). How I do it? I use a sieved professional rhododendron potting compost to which I add some coarse sand for drainage. On top of this mixture I put some fine peat moss (usually this can be found in professional potting mixtures). Many people use spaghnum moss instead. I sow the rhododendron seeds on top of the peat moss. Do not cover the seeds as they need light to germinate. Lightly mist the top of your sowing. Then put a clear plastic cover on top of the pot and place the pot somewhere light but out of direct sunlight. Temperature should be about 20 degrees Celsius/ 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Most rhododendron seeds germinate in 2 to 3 weeks time. I've heard that there are some clones of Rhododendron maximum that take longer to germinate but I do not know if this is true. I usually sow rhododendron seeds in early spring. If you have access to growing lights it can also be done in autumn or winter. For the first few months the rhododendron seedlings are very tiny and vulnerable. I leave the clear plastic cover on for at least 6 to 8 weeks and then remove it. Keep sure to keep the pot out of direct sunlight. I do not water the seedlings from above as this can lead to fungus problems. I pot the pot in a saucer with water and when the sowing mixture is saturated I take it out. Some people prick the seedlings out after 2 to 3 months but I leave them in the pot for at least another year. After 1 year I seperate the seedlings and grow them on in individual pots (small ones to reduce the risk of the seedlings getting too wet and getting root rot). I don't have any problems with weeds in my rhododendron sowings as I use a weed free potting mixture. If you leave your rhododendron seedlings in a pot for some time you can get trouble with liverwort but as long as this does not smother the seedlings everything should be OK.

sure... experiment ... but i would only try a few... and plant the rest outside ... and put a screen over them to protect them from the rats with furry tails ... getting them to germinate.. will be the least of your problems.. of growing trees indoors ... over winter ... my biggest problems is the forced air furnace ... humidity ... and then secondly.. soggy media .... then sunlight ... in that order were are you ... ken

i havent. i re potted it into a bigger pot and used new soil. and have been keeping an extra good eye on it. it is still alive but i ant tell if it is getting worse or better. as of right now its a brown stick in a pot. haha but is still green inside and the roots aren't brittle. just brown. i snipped a small root the other day to see what it looks like inside and it is not white but not brown