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This is more of a question that my neighbor has. She has some maple tree seeds and was wondering how and when to start them indoors.
* * * * Anytime I see something screech across a room and latch onto someone’s neck, and the guy screams and tries to get it off, I have to laugh, because what is that thing. ~Jack Handy Plants: 4 | From: Hayward, WI | Registered: Jan 2005
| Seeded: 134.29.196.45
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Good timing! I just received a couple of e-mails on this subject from a Japanese Maple nursery here in Virginia. This is from a free 5 part mini e-course that you can subscribe to on his website:
Terry, here's Part 4 in our mini e-course you requested. Part I: Propagation: Seeds and Seedlings =============================== - The 5 Secrets to germinating seeds successfully SE^XUAL REPRODUCTION: Seeds are the result of se^xual reproduction. In the wild, maple flowers are fertilized by pollen brought in by insects or blown in on the wind. And the resulting seed holds the promise of a new tree. Seedlings germinated from open pollinated seed are similar to, but NOT identical to their parents...just like children are not identical to their parents. When we germinate seed we don't know exactly what we are going to get in leaf shape, color and tree characteristics. This is part of the FUN of growing new plants from seed! It also means we should not call seedling trees the cultivar name of the seed parent. They can be described as 'seedlings from xyz seed'. Where xyz is the cultivar name from which the seed came. Some people will tell you that successfully germinating Japanese maple seed is a challenge. They can be - when you don't follow the 5 'Nursery Secrets' to Successful Maple Seed Germination.
Nursery Secret #1: Coir Seed Compost ----------------------------------------------- We germinate all our seed in a coir seedling compost. You might be thinking...What's Coir, and Why is it Better? - read on. Coir is the short fiber that remains after the meat, shell, and long fibers have been extracted from coconuts. Coir promotes excellent root development (up to 50% more root growth for many plants). And because coir is porous, it allows air to circulate, reducing the incidence of root diseases (See Chapter 5).. Compared to peat moss, coir retains more moisture and nutrients, is much easier to wet initially and is easier to re-wet if it dries out. Coir lasts up to four times as long as peat and can be reused several times for successive sowings. In addition to coir, our compost also contains worm castings and mealworm guano as a source of natural nutrients; the castings also enhance aeration and water retention. Coir Seedling Compost can be ordered by Clicking Link below http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000740570
Nursery Secret #2: Correct Nutrition ------------------------------------------ SuperThrive is the most recommended '50 in 1' instant, 'bio-usable' vitamins and hormones complex we know of. SuperThrive is the #1 acitvator, reviver and transplanter for indoor plants, outdoor plants, bare rooted plants, seeds, seedlings, trees, bulbs and even lawns. Used for over 60 years and recommended by dozens of books, magazines, conferences, newspapers, TV and radio shows and even 5 US Government Deprtments! SuperThrive is not a fertilizer - you add SuperThrive to your existing plant food to boost your plants and add vigor to their growth. SuperThrive is super-concentrated - use only 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water! I've used this to revive new Japanese maple seedlings that were accidentally frosted overnight! I also use it routinely to kick start healing on newly grafted trees and to promote growth in newly germinated seedlings. I thorughly recommend it to reduce transplant shock when planting new plants. http://japanese-maple.com/superthrive_0_5oz.html
Nursery Secret #3: Avoiding 'Damping Off' ---------------------------------------------------- Newly germinated seedlings are very delicate things! It is very easy to overwater and leave the tender shoots to suffer from what we call 'damping off'. Essentially this is a rotting process brought on by the natural fungal spores that are in the air. We encourage a natural approach to pest and disease control and so we use a natural microbial fungicide sprayed occasionally over the emerging seedlings. For SoilGard Microbial Fungicide - Click Here: http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000000740580
Nursery Secret #4: Never Plant Seeds Directly Outdoors --------------------------------- ------------------------- Maple seeds are a perfect Spring treat for rodents like mice! If you try sowing directly in the ground outdoors you're likely to lose much of your crop! Always use seed pans started in a greenhouse or kept in a secure cold frame outside. And whatever else you do - do NOT discard your seed pans at the end of the sowing season! Japanese maple seed is fickle and more seed will germinate in the second and even the third season if you keep it for another year.
Nursery Secret #5: The 'CRITICAL Factor' --------------------------------------------------- THE one factor above ALL others that will make or break your attempts to germinate Japanese maple seeds is the FRESHNESS of your seeds. Be very choosy where you get your seed from. We primarily use seed from the most recent season. Our nursery and our income depends on how well we germinate our seed, so this is a VITAL aspect. All our seed is subjected to a 'cut test' by our supplier to check the viability of the seed. Most of our seed is rated at 85% germination or above. Some is even as high as 98%. Occasionally we are only able to get seed of a particular type with lower cut test results - whatever the number - INSIST on knowing this VITAL quality fact before considering purchasing the seed. Seed season is usually from October to April. To check on current availability go to: http://japanese-maple.com/seeds.html Happy growing online and in dirt. Ken Alston Commonwealth Plants, LLC ========================= Ken Alston is a green thumbed British gardener, plant-aholic and nurseryman who provides gardeners and fellow plant- aholics with valuable advice, information and hard to find Japanese maple trees. http://japanese-maple.com ========================= (c)
This is an excerpt from the late January newsletter from Ken Alston at Commonwealth Plants:
http://japanese-maple.com/seeds.html Some of our 'correspondents' are already reporting their Japanese maple seed is germinating. As it does, it's fine to go ahead and plant the emerging rootlet in some damp (not wet) seedling compost. Make sure the seeds you sow are then kept in a frost free place as these newly emerging plants are so very tender and can't take any frost at all! We're all set for sowing thousands of seeds in the next several weeks.
* * * * Terry
May the force be with you Plants: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 4.248.225.152
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Hey, thanks a lot, that's really helpful! There is a lot more to it than I imagined!
Karissa
* * * * Anytime I see something screech across a room and latch onto someone’s neck, and the guy screams and tries to get it off, I have to laugh, because what is that thing. ~Jack Handy Plants: 4 | From: Hayward, WI | Registered: Jan 2005
| Seeded: 66.173.40.213
posted
I have soooooooooo many maple tree seeds come spring time in my mothers garden, I am literally out there for 3, 4, 5 days out there picking them out of her landscaped fenced area.
The one's that germinate the fastest are the one's in the peatmoss that's just saturated from the winters snow melting....
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
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