How to Grow Cork

Collect the seeds from the female tree fruit in fall. Each fruit contains three to four brown to black, 1/4 inch seeds with a somewhat hard coating. Wash the seeds well and dry.

Fill a small resealable plastic bag halfway with sand. Add a little water to the sand and toss to moisten sand. Do not add too much water.

Place the seeds in the sand, making sure seeds are covered. Close bag and place in the fridge at 40 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit temperature for 30 to 60 days. This process is referred to as stratification and mimics the natural germination procedure.

Check seeds occasionally during the stratification period for any signs of early germination. If you notice any germination, you need to remove and plant seeds right away.

Fill a small pot with equal amounts of peat moss and vermiculite. Shake the pot lightly to level the medium.

Remove the seeds from the plastic bag and press lightly into the growing medium. Do not plant deeply. Sprinkle the planted surface with a light coating of sand.

Water gently. Place the whole pot in large, clear plastic bag. Stick a chopstick into the pot to help keep the bag up. Close the top with a rubber band to create a mini-greenhouse effect that will hasten germination.

Place in a warm, bright area out of direct sunlight. Open the bag every three to four days and water only enough to keep growing medium moist.

Remove bag after seedlings emerge. Transfer to individual medium-sized containers filled with well-draining potting soil. Place in a sunny indoor spot, and let plants get stronger in growth before transplanting to a permanent spot in the garden.