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How to Grow Japanese Red
Maple Trees from Seed
by Michael J. McGroarty -
www.freeplants.com
Most Japanese Maple seeds ripen in the fall. Watch the tree
and wait for the seeds to turn brown. The seeds are ready to
be harvested when they are brown and can be easily removed
from the tree.
The seeds are attached to a wing, it’s best to break the
wing off before storing or planting the seeds. Japanese
Maple seeds have a very hard outer coating as do many
ornamental plants. Under natural conditions the seeds would
have to be on the ground for almost two years before they
would germinate. All that happens the first winter is the
moisture softens the hard outer shell, and the second winter
germination is beginning to take place.
In order for all of this to happen in the proper sequence so
the seedlings actually sprout at a time of the year when
freezing temperatures or hot summer sun doesn’t kill them,
takes a tremendous amount of luck.
You can improve the odds by controlling some of these
conditions, and shorten the cycle. Once you have picked the
seeds and removed the wing just place them in a paper bag
and store them in a cool dry place until you are ready for
them. You don’t want to plant your seeds out in the spring
until the danger of frost has past, here in the north May
15th is a safe bet.
If May 15th is your target date you should count backwards
on the calendar 100 days. That will take you to about
February 5th if my math is correct. On or about the 100th
day prior to your target planting date, take the seeds and
place them in a Styrofoam cup or other container that will
withstand some hot water. Draw warm to hot water from your
kitchen faucet and pour it over the seeds. Most of the seeds
will float, just leave them in the water overnight as the
water cools down. 24 hours later most of the seeds will have
settled to the bottom of the cup.
Drain off the water. Place the seeds in a plastic bag with a
mixture of sand and peat or other suitable growing mix. Even
light potting soil will work. The peat or soil should be
moist, but not soaking wet. Poke some holes in the bag so
there is some air circulation, and place the bag in your
refrigerator for a period of 100 days.
After 100 days you can plant the seeds outside. If you have
timed it correctly, you should be at or close to your target
planting date.
To plant the seeds just sow them on top of a bed of well
drained topsoil or sterilized potting soil, and cover with
approximately 3/8” of soil. Water them thoroughly, but allow
the soil to dry out completely before watering thoroughly
again. If you water them frequently, not only do you stand a
chance of the seeds rotting from being too wet, but you will
also keep them cool, which will slow down the germination
process.
Once they start to germinate provide about 50% shade to keep
the sun from burning them. Snow fence suspended about 30”
above the bed will provide about 50% shade. Japanese Maples
will tolerate some shade so it isn’t too important to
transplant them too quickly.
Depending on how close together they are, you might be able
to leave them in the same bed for one or two growing
seasons. Don’t transplant until they are completely dormant. |
