Japanese Maple - When/how to start growing.

14 years ago

Hello,

I'm pretty much a complete Bonsai newbie, although I have been doing a lot of research on Bonsai. I've decided I want to grow a Red Japanese Maple from seed, and I was wondering when I should start to grow it and how I should go about doing that. I know that growing from a seed takes a long time, but that's how I'd like to start. :) Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
14 years ago
Do you have a seed or will you be collecting seeds this season?

Seedlings won't always (or typically) grow true to the parent form,
so you might want to sow many seeds to increase your chances...
or you might consider scouring for a young red seedling to dig up.

In my warmer zone, certain seedlings have begun to come up.

Josh
ikevin
Original Author
14 years ago
I'll probably be able to obtain some seeds as soon as possible if need be.

And what do you mean by the seedlings won't grow true to the parent form? And yes, I was planning on sowing several seeds because, of course, they're seedlings and may die.

There's an arboretum nearby that I know has a few Japanese Maples, so I may be able to go and hunt for some seedlings. Though I'm not sure if they would be sprouting up here in Minnesota yet.

If I were to end up just getting some seeds, would I have to do that process of tricking them into thinking they've gone through dormancy?
Related Discussions
How to grow Japanese Maples?
Q
Comments (2)
Did you try the Japanese Garden forum, or the Maples forum? Those are popular, so I bet there's lots of discussion about it on one of those forums. Personally, I've never had trouble with ANY maples seeding themselves all over my yard, so I can't imagine it's too difficult, but I'm sure they'd be a good resource.
...See More
When and how to plant under new Japanese maple
Q
Comments (1)
The roots of Japanese are very sensitive to disturbance so the least disruption you can provide the better. That speaks to planting something sooner rather than later, when the roots have spread out significantly from the original rootball. It is best to choose some sort of plant that requires minimal attention and no need for frequent division, etc. that may require cultivation in the root area. If you were choosing some sort of flat groundcover, you could plant closer to the trunk than I would recommend for something larger, like a perennial or small shrub. I'd still keep a reasonable distance.
...See More
Growing Japanese Maple Seeds (Acer Palmatum) How? & Dealing w/ mold?
Q
Comments (2)
I wrote something about germinating Acer palmatum seeds on this forum, see link. I wouldn't be too concerned about the mold but if you are then throw away the seeds that have mold. What you are doing now is not scarification but just soaking the seeds for 24 hours. After this they need 2 to 3 months STRATIFICATION (exposure to low temperatures) in order to germinate. Sowing Acer Palmatum Seeds
...See More
Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree Started to Sprout
Q
Comments (17)
Here's the latest in exciting bonsai growth! Of the 3 potential trees that I've got, 2 have the same leaves but the shorter 1 has some very different leaves, is it maybe a different tree that got mixed in with the Japanese maples? Other than that, they seem to be doing well.
...See More
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
14 years ago
Cold stratification, and yes you'd need to go through the process.
Three months of cold, whether in a fridge or in a container outdoors.

Japanese maple seeds don't typically grow into the pattern or color of the parent trees.
Still, you will often find interesting and worthy seedlings with their own unique characteristics.
Sometimes you'll get lucky and find a seedling that looks much like the parents.

Josh
alexinoklahoma
14 years ago
Guaranteed-by-experience way to germinate Acers (works for me very well): gather good seed, get small tray (shallow is fine) and place barely-moist(!!!) perlite/similar media at around 1/4-1/2 inch or so deep then place the seed ~atop the media, put all into a big-enough ZipLock/Baggie (~airtight,) place carefully in frig (bottom drawer works for me), check every week or so for sprouts with my experience showing early-bird germination starting around a month or so later with the frequency of sprouts increasing at around 2 months then those that are not sprouted by three months are trash :-) The new roots are pretty tender, so careful putting 'em into their first real home (small pots with good bonsai-style soil, NOT potting soil!)

I do mean barely moist with the perlite, too. The baggie should show very little moisture/condensation upon the inner/top surface after its chilled - if it is 'soaked' appearing, then its waaaay too wet within and needs to be allowed to 'air dry' a bit before going back into frig. It is deceiving how little moisture is really required, and higher moisture *will* lead to 'grungy' seed. Chances are the media will feel dry to the finger when you know for sure that you put water into it. This same method works for me with many species that require cold-stratification.

Hope this helps - it is easy to do and you will get a WIDE variety of 'types' if you grow a lot of this species. I bet with 100+ of the ones I started, there were dozens of different 'looks' to the various saplings (none grew or appeared exactly like another). That is partly why there are so many different cultivars on the market ;-) Grow out your favorite one(s) and give the others to friends! Its not like they cost very much, right?? Good luck...