Germinating Japanease maple seeds

philgrayser · 01-16-2009, 06:15 AM

Hi there, i have had my Japanease Maple seeds wintering in my fridge for about 30wks now and they are almost ready to try germinating.
It will soon be spring here in Scotland and i was wondering what is the best way to germinae them, Do i put a little cut in the seed husk and leave them in a propagator, or would wrapping them in kitchen roll and leaving them in the fridge be better??? Or does some on have a better idea??
I have a few seeds to try and would be wiling to experiment with different ideas, cheer. Phil G

Mattbonsai · 01-16-2009, 05:09 PM

Hi Phil, Hope You're holding out up there in this weather, it's been very cold down here, don't know how its been for you lot way up there.

Although I don't grow many tree from seed, I think the best way is, now that they've been stratified in the fridge, put them in a pot of gritty compost, with a thin layer of grit over the surface, and place the pot in a sheltered area outside, with some natural light, and natural temps.

As for preparing the seeds, you could nick them like you suggested, or you could scarify them with a few rubs between some fine sandpaper. But these methods are only really used on seeds that are very tough like Sweet Peas, and from what I can remember Acer have quite soft seed so you shouldn't need to do anymore than plant them.

Good Luck

-Matt-

philgrayser · 01-17-2009, 05:45 AM

Thanks for your reply Mattbonsi. Yeh its been cold up here, my thermometer in the garden has been below zero since before christmas, i recon its frozen up eh!!!
I was thinking of putting a few of the seed outside like you suggested but wasnt sure if i was to put them out now or wait a few more weeks untill this cold snap is over?
Would the seeds be ok if they got completely frozen in this weather, i know that pines and birch seeds need to be frozen but i wasnt sure about the Maples???

Mattbonsai · 01-17-2009, 11:03 AM

Down here I would probably get away with putting them outside now, but as you normally get much harsher weather than me, I would in your situation keep them in the fridge until Beginning of March time, where its starting to warm up, then put them outside with a cloche over the top to protect from the worst of it.

-Matt-

philgrayser · 01-18-2009, 05:26 AM

Thanks Matt, yeh i think i will keep them till about March to be sure because it will still be cold untill then, the sun is out today but it is still freezing -1c outside!!! Cheers again Phil.

01-16-2009, 06:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
philgrayser philgrayser Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 120	Germinating Japanease maple seeds Hi there, i have had my Japanease Maple seeds wintering in my fridge for about 30wks now and they are almost ready to try germinating. It will soon be spring here in Scotland and i was wondering what is the best way to germinae them, Do i put a little cut in the seed husk and leave them in a propagator, or would wrapping them in kitchen roll and leaving them in the fridge be better??? Or does some on have a better idea?? I have a few seeds to try and would be wiling to experiment with different ideas, cheer. Phil G

01-16-2009, 05:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheshire, GB Posts: 801	Hi Phil, Hope You're holding out up there in this weather, it's been very cold down here, don't know how its been for you lot way up there. Although I don't grow many tree from seed, I think the best way is, now that they've been stratified in the fridge, put them in a pot of gritty compost, with a thin layer of grit over the surface, and place the pot in a sheltered area outside, with some natural light, and natural temps. As for preparing the seeds, you could nick them like you suggested, or you could scarify them with a few rubs between some fine sandpaper. But these methods are only really used on seeds that are very tough like Sweet Peas, and from what I can remember Acer have quite soft seed so you shouldn't need to do anymore than plant them. Good Luck -Matt- __________________ -Matt- http://www.cheshirebonsaisociety.org.uk/index.html R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

01-17-2009, 11:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheshire, GB Posts: 801	Down here I would probably get away with putting them outside now, but as you normally get much harsher weather than me, I would in your situation keep them in the fridge until Beginning of March time, where its starting to warm up, then put them outside with a cloche over the top to protect from the worst of it. -Matt- __________________ -Matt- http://www.cheshirebonsaisociety.org.uk/index.html R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

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01-17-2009, 05:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
philgrayser philgrayser Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 120	Thanks for your reply Mattbonsi. Yeh its been cold up here, my thermometer in the garden has been below zero since before christmas, i recon its frozen up eh!!! I was thinking of putting a few of the seed outside like you suggested but wasnt sure if i was to put them out now or wait a few more weeks untill this cold snap is over? Would the seeds be ok if they got completely frozen in this weather, i know that pines and birch seeds need to be frozen but i wasnt sure about the Maples???

01-18-2009, 05:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
philgrayser philgrayser Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 120	Thanks Matt, yeh i think i will keep them till about March to be sure because it will still be cold untill then, the sun is out today but it is still freezing -1c outside!!! Cheers again Phil.

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