Question about stratification process..

[CherylMatthews]

Hi everyone. Just a quick question about the stratification process of growing bonsai trees. When putting seeds in a sealed plastic bag to put in the fridge for a period of time, does the bag need to be ventilated by putting holes in it or does it just need to be sealed?

Thanks in advance and any advice for this process are welcome.

 

[Kanorin]

I have always sealed the bags - but I open them up to let fresh oxygen in about once a week. This method at least worked well for maples, crabapples, and redbuds.

 

[Juanmi]

I have always sealed the bags - but I open them up to let fresh oxygen in about once a week. This method at least worked well for maples, crabapples, and redbuds.

Same here

 

[Shogun610]

There are no bonsai seeds, there are different types of seed depending on species of trees which those seeds came from. They all have different types of propagation requirements it all depends. Some methods work for multiple types, others won’t. It all depends.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I seal the bags, too.. I open up and “circulate” every 7-10 days.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Whoops!

Greetings, wayward Stranger!

Absorb the melodic, reverberating hum of the Deep, dark Woods. Learn the steps and perform frequently, the dance of the Woody Dwarves..

...this retains balance, and harmony, within the Tiny Forest!

What kind of seeds!? (Specie)

Pleasure to make your acquaintance!

 

[CherylMatthews]

Whoops!

Greetings, wayward Stranger!

Absorb the melodic, reverberating hum of the Deep, dark Woods. Learn the steps and perform frequently, the dance of the Woody Dwarves..

...this retains balance, and harmony, within the Tiny Forest!

What kind of seeds!? (Specie)

Pleasure to make your acquaintance!

I'll be growing Japanese red maple.

 

[CherylMatthews]

I have always sealed the bags - but I open them up to let fresh oxygen in about once a week. This method at least worked well for maples, crabapples, and redbuds.

Thank you, that's very helpful.

 

[CherylMatthews]

There are no bonsai seeds, there are different types of seed depending on species of trees which those seeds came from. They all have different types of propagation requirements it all depends. Some methods work for multiple types, others won’t. It all depends.

I'm well aware of this. Bonsai is a form of art and its all about training the tree to stay miniature. I'll be growing Japanese red maple.

 

[Pitoon]

I use snack sized zip lock bags, zipped closed. I would advise to add either a damp paper towel or damp (not wet) sphagnum moss. The seeds will eventually dry out in the fridge if they are not kept moist.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I'll be growing Japanese red maple.

Awesome!... don’t “skimp” on that 90-days...

How many are you planning on planting?.. and how many seedLINGS are you anticipating?

 

[CherylMatthews]

Awesome!... don’t “skimp” on that 90-days...

How many are you planning on planting?.. and how many seedLINGS are you anticipating?

There are only 5 seeds in the pack so I have to hope at least one of them germinate.

So you recommend they stay in the fridge for 90 days? As I heard it was 60.

 

[penumbra]

I seal them in small zip locks also using a bit of sphagnum moss generally. Also sometimes fold them in a slightly damp and wrung out paper towel. Bags are seldom opened, not more than once a month if at all.

 

[Juanmi]

There are only 5 seeds in the pack so I have to hope at least one of them germinate.

So you recommend they stay in the fridge for 90 days? As I heard it was 60.

I think standard is 90 days, but you have to take a look often.
In my case almost all of my seeds (red maple) got to germinate quite early while on the fridge. I think they did after 50 or 60 days..

 

[TinyArt]

Best wishes for everybody germinating!

If they all do — or even if they don’t all — you might like to check out the Forest From Seed contest:

2021 Forest From Seed(ling) 8 (or 6) Year Contest

2021 Forest From Seed(ling) 8 (or 6) Year Contest This will be a contest with two independent divisions, both may begin on or after December 15th, 2020. In the "sapling" division, contestants may begin with trees that are up to 10 years old and the contest will finish on December 31, 2027 In...

www.bonsainut.com

 

[penumbra]

So you recommend they stay in the fridge for 90 days? As I heard it was 60.

Definitely 90 days as reported in most manuals but good to check because some folks have them germinate early..

 

[CherylMatthews]

Definitely 90 days as reported in most manuals but good to check because some folks have them germinate early..

Thank you for the advice as I didn't know that.

 

[sorce]

You're hit after 90 days unless you're a sohemer!

Just stick em in the ground!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[papkey5]

Don’t throw any seeds away! Just because a tap root doesn’t emerge when stratifying is done doesn’t make that a bad seed. Plant it accordingly and it may still develop. Also, I hate trying to finds seeds in peat moss, especially tiny maple seeds. Find a substrate that is lighter than the seeds. I use sand.