Is it possible to germinate dry Japanese Maple seeds purchased online?

[Mikecheck123]

growing from seed is not always easy. One must follow the stratification procedure correctly. If maple seed drops below a certain percentage moisture while in storage, a 60 day warm moist stratification will be needed BEFORE the 90 day cold moist stratification. So too many days dry in an envelope on your desk can change the way the seed needs to be treated. I don't remember the exact moisture content where the requirements change, I read it once in a book on germinating trees from seed, not related to bonsai.

Fresh seed needs only a cold stratification, seed that has been dried, needs a 60 day warm (above 60 F or 16 C) stratification followed by a 90 day cold moist stratification (between 32 to 40 F or 0 C to 4 C)

I think Leo may have solved my mystery.

In the past I have had great success just throwing JM seeds right off the tree into some dirt in October/November.

This was the first time I ordered from Sheffield's, and I did exactly the same thing. Must have been too dry for that.

 

[Pitoon]

Ordered 25 JM seeds for $3 and promptly received 41. Soaked them, put in fridge for 70 days. Zero germination.

Sometimes it takes over 90 days to see some action.

 

[0soyoung]

Which variety did you order?

Acer pentaphyllum

 

[coltranem]

Sometimes it takes over 90 days to see some action.

Sheffield often recommends 120 days of warm and cold stratification on dried seeds.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Sheffield often recommends 120 days of warm and cold stratification on dried seeds.

How about one entire season of warm stratification?

I.e. should I just leave them and see if they germinate next year?

Or do I only get one shot?

 

[Pitoon]

How about one entire season of warm stratification?

I.e. should I just leave them and see if they germinate next year?

Or do I only get one shot?

JM seeds that don't germinate this season are sometimes late and will germinate the following season. I would tag the pot and leave them for next season to see if any sprout.

 

[Pitoon]

JM seeds that don't germinate this season are sometimes late and will germinate the following season. I would tag the pot and leave them for next season to see if any sprout.

How about one entire season of warm stratification?

I.e. should I just leave them and see if they germinate next year?

Or do I only get one shot?

Don't let the seeds dry out though.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Carpinus caroliniana - American hornbeam - The seed ripens early summer. My method is to plant it in a flat in July, leave the flat out exposed to rain and sun all summer, and all winter, for germination the following spring. This works with Carpinus, many maples, Ostrya, and a fair number of other hardwood trees. Wire mesh, I use 1/4 hardware cloth, to keep squirrels & birds out is essential.

 

[Ininaatigoons]

I have had little success with dry seed. BUT after treatment of soak, wait 120 days, cold stratify, waiting for presto and not much happened... Another full summer and winter in the ground a few more popped up! I couldn't believe it!

 

[Ininaatigoons]

I googled fresh seed and now I forget where they were from, but I found them and they popped like magic! The problem was the soil was too moisture retentive and I lost most of them to dampening off!!! I have to figure out a better mix for infant/toddler maples.

 

[Mikecheck123]

I'm checking back in here to report that Leo's advice worked! (No surprise I guess).

I left the seemingly unsuccessful seed trays alone all last season, and all winter, and all spring.

And now they're finally all sprouting! After about 18 months of stratification. A bit long for my tastes..... I'll be smarter about dry seeds next time.

 

[velocifasor]

I still have a bunch of JM seed from last fall. Roughly 90 days in the fridge until you start seeing tap roots emerge then sow them under 1/4" of substrate.

PM me if you're interested.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but it won't let me send you a PM. Do you still happen to have some seeds around? I've been looking everywhere!

 

[Nybonsai12]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but it won't let me send you a PM. Do you still happen to have some seeds around? I've been looking everywhere!

Try Sheffield’s seeds.

 

[Pitoon]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but it won't let me send you a PM. Do you still happen to have some seeds around? I've been looking everywhere!

Yes, I do. I have fresh seed I collected this past fall. I'll send you a PM.