Maple seed propagation

[Likebull1]

I have two large Maple trees in the back of my house that I absolutely adore. They're on the medium size of height, great upright growth, and surprisingly tiny leaves for such large trees.
My porch and driveway are absolutely littered with "helicopters" and I would like to grow some maples from seed more for fun for my nephew next year.
I already am planning to start some air layers next year but I'd like him to start some from seeds.
Basically I'm wondering what should I do now to optimize seed health until propagation?
Mostly I'm wondering how to store them until I sow them early fall/late winter.
Thanks!

 

[Jrmcmich]

Do you ever see seedlings pop up in yard? If so you could just transplant those to containers to grow. I have not tried from seeds myself but you can look up online about seed growing and stratification time needed.

 

[Likebull1]

Do you ever see seedlings pop up in yard? If so you could just transplant those to containers to grow. I have not tried from seeds myself but you can look up online about seed growing and stratification time needed.

Surprisingly only one seedling popped up so far which I already snatched up. I think the ivy ground cover are most of them lol.

 

[Shibui]

It appears early for Japanese maple seeds to be ripe. Down here the seeds hang on the trees until after leaf fall. Early falling seeds may have aborted because they are not viable.

I'd wait and collect riper seed just after leaf drop. You can still try with some of the early seeds if you wish.

I dry maple seed for a few days before storing to reduce chances of mould and insect attack. If insect pests turn out to be a problem for stored seed a few days in the freezer deals with any that may be on the seeds in your storage containers. Freezing does not harm seeds. It usually just extends their viability.

Best storage conditions for almost all seed is airtight containers (to protect from pests) in cool to cold and dark conditions with little temperature fluctuation. Sealed containers in the fridge is a great option but you may have a cool, temp stable cellar or something similar.

I find that fresh harvested seed germinates the following spring with no additional treatment so I just sow seed soon after harvest. Protect the trays from seed eating creatures and leave them outdoors through winter. Seedlings will emerge in spring whenever temps reach suitable for the seeds.

Dried seed that has been stored for more than 6 months tends to go into deeper dormancy and can take some more sophisticated treatments to germinate. Stick with sowing fresh seed to make it easy and successful venture.

 

[Likebull1]

It appears early for Japanese maple seeds to be ripe. Down here the seeds hang on the trees until after leaf fall. Early falling seeds may have aborted because they are not viable.

I'd wait and collect riper seed just after leaf drop. You can still try with some of the early seeds if you wish.

I dry maple seed for a few days before storing to reduce chances of mould and insect attack. If insect pests turn out to be a problem for stored seed a few days in the freezer deals with any that may be on the seeds in your storage containers. Freezing does not harm seeds. It usually just extends their viability.

Best storage conditions for almost all seed is airtight containers (to protect from pests) in cool to cold and dark conditions with little temperature fluctuation. Sealed containers in the fridge is a great option but you may have a cool, temp stable cellar or something similar.

I find that fresh harvested seed germinates the following spring with no additional treatment so I just sow seed soon after harvest. Protect the trays from seed eating creatures and leave them outdoors through winter. Seedlings will emerge in spring whenever temps reach suitable for the seeds.

Dried seed that has been stored for more than 6 months tends to go into deeper dormancy and can take some more sophisticated treatments to germinate. Stick with sowing fresh seed to make it easy and successful venture.

Thanks this is exactly the information I was looking for. It's funny that so many are dropping. It's not only in my yard either. The neighbors have just as many littering the ground.

 

[rodeolthr]

I have found that they will often drop seeds as a response to drought/dry conditions and/or extreme weather. I personally harvest seeds in October/November before winds and heavy rains dislodge them, but ensuring that they are completely ripe

 

[Likebull1]

I have found that they will often drop seeds as a response to drought/dry conditions and/or extreme weather. I personally harvest seeds in October/November before winds and heavy rains dislodge them, but ensuring that they are completely ripe

He did have a pretty long period of extremely high temperatures and a draught. That definitely makes sense

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Basically I'm wondering what should I do now to optimize seed health until propagation?

It is early for JM to be dropping seeds. I hope they are healthy - and not just a result of tree stress.

Regardless, your seeds, if healthy, are completely dormant and are waiting for winter, and then the signals of approaching spring. You could plant them now somewhere outdoors, and let Mother Nature take over. Or, you could bring them indoors and wait until December, when you could create an artificial winter for them by putting them in the refrigerator in a ziplock baggy with some damp (not wet) sphagnum moss. Somewhere around Feb-Mar they will start to wake up and sprout roots, which is your signal to move them out of the fridge and into a container outdoors. They will need protection from frosts if you are still having cold weather - even taking them indoors on cold nights if necessary.

 

[penumbra]

Interesting that this thread popped up when it did. I have a very large number of Japanese maples but most of them are not seed bearing yet because the are young. However, one of these maple in the ground is about 4 feet tall and 6 across has several ripe seeds on it. At first I thought the seeds were aborted because of dry conditions, yet the seeds are plump and green. I plan to harvest them all in the next couple of days and plant them in a flat, winter them outside and wait and see.