I Planted A Little Acorn In A Pot With Some…
Nancy Asked
I planted a little acorn in a pot with some soil in honor of my dad. It sprouted recently and even had two little leaves. I came home yesterday and my cat had eaten it down to the nub. Is there hope for the little tree now?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Nancy in Illinois: I am sorry for the loss of your dad and for your acorn seedling. The answer to your question really depends on how far back your cat nibbled. The first leaves that emerged are called the cotyledons. These would have eventually fallen off anyway, but if the cat ate below them into the meristem, which is part of the plant tissue where active growth occurs, then there is no hope for your acorn seedling. If new growth were going to happen, you would notice it within a week or so. Unfortunately I cannot give you a yes or no answer. It will be a waiting game at this point. The good news is that you can still collect acorns this time of year and start a new plant out of reach from your cat.
