Attempting again in 2025: Japanese White Bark Beech from seed/nuts - suggestions?

[arbuscula]

As per the title: I'm looking for input, suggestions from members on giving some Japanese White Bark Beech nuts a better chance for germination in 2025 - having got a new batch of nuts to try. 106 nuts, received Thursday 5th December. I'm also in the UK .

This spring (May 2024) I had one germinated out of 217... not great returns . Those were obtained in December 2023. Did the water test: soak to see which will sink/float - singers supposed to be more viable: the one that germinated was a 'floater' . I did a thread on this earlier around June.

Before I go the route tried last time, soak/fridge/sow... and be patient - has anyone else other suggestions, guidance to offer? The nuts are still in the plastic bags they arrived in and in a cool utility room.

Just to add: I've tried Google search, watched a video for starting Copper Beech nuts (sown in February) but nothing for Japanese White Bark Beech (Fagus crenata)... lots for Fagus sylvatica - Common Green Beech.

Photos of the one germinated from 217...

 

[RoadManDenDron]

Never grown these from seed, but I always prefer stratification done the natural way

Plant them outside and protect from critters and let them experience the winter outside

Sure keep some in the fridge if you like that idea (I actually do both) best results are always from outside tho!

a kelp soak for 24 hours can help if the seeds aren't fresh, due to giberillic acid aiding germination

Hb101 is also a great seed soak but I don't know why, just know I have had great results with it

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I guess there’s a reason J. beech is so rare! If you haven’t read this, Brent’s article on germination is good, though not species-specific.

How to Germinate Seed for Bonsai

Good luck, they are really amazing as bonsai.

 

[Hasagawa]

Beech seeds vary in yield every few years. Both in terms of numbers and quality.
In an experiment conducted by the Japanese Forestry Agency, Germination rates ranged from 0.4% to 13%.
Your low germination rate may be due to poor seed quality, not your technique.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I remember reading somewhere that beech in general relies heavily on fungi to germinate.
I've found that soaking seeds in peroxide solution, like 1%, helps germination increase compared to just water.
Since beeches grow in dense forest, I'm thinking the leaf litter and fungi present there would help them grow. So instead of using the regular inorganics, I'd go for non-composted organics for a part of the batch.
It might bump the germination rate up by a percent or five.

 

[arbuscula]

I guess there’s a reason J. beech is so rare! If you haven’t read this, Brent’s article on germination is good, though not species-specific.

How to Germinate Seed for Bonsai

Good luck, they are really amazing as bonsai.

Excellent article and very interesting reading - thank for sharing.

Back in 2019 I got multiple types of seeds including JWBB along with Trident Maple, Sango Kaku and Zelkova serrata. With all of these I put in the fridge for a couple of weeks, then removed, then replaced in the fridge - thinking I'm following the natural process of temperatures. I was successful with the Zelkova and Sango Kaku, not so much with the Trident and 0 with the JWBB.

I'll try different things with these 106 nuts... I have wondered about the hard shell being the probable issue. I've also recently wondered if breaking the shell and removing any seeds present would work with germination? However, I've also thought there's a reason for the shell and it playing an important part in the germination process.

 

[arbuscula]

I remember reading somewhere that beech in general relies heavily on fungi to germinate.
I've found that soaking seeds in peroxide solution, like 1%, helps germination increase compared to just water.
Since beeches grow in dense forest, I'm thinking the leaf litter and fungi present there would help them grow. So instead of using the regular inorganics, I'd go for non-composted organics for a part of the batch.
It might bump the germination rate up by a percent or five.

Thanks. Interesting bit about trying a hydrogen peroxide when soaking... something I'll try . One thing that I've seen mentioned when reading up on JWBB is that very little, if anything, grows under their canopy. Your mention of leaf litter and fungi may have a bearing also.

 

[arbuscula]

Beech seeds vary in yield every few years. Both in terms of numbers and quality.
In an experiment conducted by the Japanese Forestry Agency, Germination rates ranged from 0.4% to 13%.
Your low germination rate may be due to poor seed quality, not your technique.

Thank you. I got some JWBB seeds back in 2019 along with some other tree seeds: Trident Maple, Sango Kaku, Zelkova serrata.... I had good results from the Sango and Zelkova, limited with the Trident and 0 with the beech. If I remember correctly I think the beech nuts were a bit 'sunken' - dried out - and not plump. The batch from 2023, received in December, also had many sunken, but I was pleased to see the one that germinated. The germination rate can be rather low though from the information you've given.