Hello all and thank you for any help you may give me.

I am new to trying to get acorns to grow. I notice my soil which is fresh contains what appears to be small gnats and white flies. I have been using small amounts of neem oil and liquid soap – both to mild use – seems to help.

However, I cannot figure out why the sapling leaves turn almost black at some point during growth; then the sapling dies. I have attached a picture I took this morning and was wondering if you would be so kind to tell me what I am doing incorrect.

Too wet?

It could be yes. Any way to help or stop what is going on?

For an acorn, I might consider putting them each in a smaller pot. See what germinates and go from there. You could gradually pot them into much larger pots as they grow.
Trying to grow a species of tree that easily reaches30, 40 or even 60' or more feet tall is difficult. The old adage is something like "from the little acorn grows the mighty oak"! Something like that.
I don't know just how much success you can expect to have growing mighty oaks indoors.

I agree, too wet. What kind of oaks are you trying to grow?

Southern Live Oak all are outdoors - I moved it to another pot with new and dry soil. I must be over watering or applying too much neem oil thinking the insects were the issue.

Did I create the gnat and white flies issue with too much watering? Thank you.

Exactly how are you using the Neem Oil?

Misting it from a spray bottle. 32oz spray bottle bottle filed with water and 1/2 teaspoon neem oil and same amount liquid soap.

On the watering side I have been overwatering them.

You have been killing it with Neem Oil and soap too.
In a quart spray bottle you should use like 1/2 tsp. of Neem and a drop of soap! Water goes in first.
It should be applied monthly as a preventative! To cure insect problems, you treat once, then again a second time 7-10 days later and then a third time 7-10 days after that.
Not more then that.

Ok I appreciate the information. I will follow that recommendation.

If I were trying to grow from acorns, I would plant a lot of acorns , 1 or 2 to a pot, keep them outdoors, and essentially leave them alone.

Point taken!

Neem burns foliage if you spray when its sunny or too warm. It also burns new foliage. Neem is a systemic so you should need to spray only once every couple month.

That said, what insects? Live oaks generally don't have insect problems.

You can tell if acorns have the potential to germinate by putting them in a bucket of water. The floaters are no good. They should feel heavy and be fresh.

The first thing an acorn does is grow a tap root that doesn't stop until it hits moisture (or the bottom of the pot). In a pot, the tap root will go 'round and 'round the bottom. Water sits in the bottom of the pot (because, even with drain holes, all the water can't drain out) so all those coiled roots are sitting in water.

Yes, the bugs are caused by overwatering. Changing soil won't get rid of them but changing your watering practice will. Don't water until the soil is dry 3 or 4 inches down.

DaisyI - thank you so much.

I just read your post and was outside re-potting in new soil!!

I was able to save quite a few acorns that had good roots which I washed off and then I transferred these to new one gallon containers with new soil.

I hope this works as I plan on taking everyones advice and lay off the watering. I would like to be able to plant one to three of these out of the seeds I have collected.

I will probably use a spray bottle and mist them when ready - if that is the right way based on feedback.

Search for this article to see why these seeds I collected are special...

THE LIBERTY TREE STORY—Only God Can Make A Tree?

Wait until the soil is dry and then water thoroughly. No misting. No Neem. No more soil changing. You are going to kill them with love! Porkpal's advice was good: Ignore them.

Thank you to everyone!

I am new to this and appreciate all of the advice. Happy New Year and God Bless to all!

From the looks of it the Soil is looking a little wet could be the reason for the black foliage. Also, Oaks typically thrive in a mix of potting soil and well draining sandy soil. Also, the juvenile plant is extremely susceptible to wind so tr y to keep it out of windy areas. Here is a Domain Url to more information about the oak. I hope you find this helpful! https://naplesluxurylandscaper...

Thank you. I am on that site right now.

Just an odd thought. I collected acorns once to feed the squirrels during Winter and one day I discovered small worms all around my kitchen. I traced them back to the bowl of acorns. So, it may be that your acorns are infested by worms and are failing when they need nutrients the worms have eaten.

Granted, that may be an odd problem, but I offer it as a possibilty.