How do you grow horse chestnut trees from conkers?

Is there a specific way to germinate them and make sure they grow correctly? Do I have to pierce a conker and then soak in water and then plant in sand and peat mixture and wait? Please explain the best way to germinate conkers and how long before I see any results.

Thanks

How do you grow horse chestnut trees from conkers?
I dont know but it sounds like a long wait!
Reply:Seed - best sown outdoors or in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe The seed germinates almost immediately and must be given protection from severe weather. The seed has a very limited viability and must not be allowed to dry out. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing and even after this may still not be viable It is best to sow the seed with its 'scar' downwards If sowing the seed in a cold frame, pot up the seedlings in early spring and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer
Reply:just plant the conker out in the garden and should grow
Reply:I left a plastic carrier bag of conkers (horse chestnuts) outside in the garden for about two weeks, and I found they all had little roots sprouting out and grew well when I planted them.
Reply:Think about how they grow in the wild, they don't have any fancy cold frames or constant water, they are often buried by squirrels, forgotten about over winter and then shoot in spring. So would suggest popping some in a pot, place in the corner of the garden somewhere and forget about them until spring. By then they should have started to shoot and then care for them like normal plants.



Unless you have squirrels in your garden who think you are playing hide and seek with them!!
Reply:Plant 2 or 3 in a large flower pot using a potting compost and peat. keep warm but not in centrally heated house. Water when it drys on top to keep moist.

After a few years one of your conkers could be about 12 inches high.

Horse Chestnut tree can live for a thousand years so the growth rate will not be too great. Best of luck.