Growing Japanese
Red Maple Trees
from Seed
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How to Grow Japanese Red Maple Trees From Seed
Michael J. McGroarty
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.
Michael J. McGroarty is the author of this article. Visit his
most interesting website,
http://www.freeplants.com and sign up
for his excellent gardening newsletter. Article provided by
http://gardening-articles.com
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