Maples from seed

Discussions about propagating from cuttings, seeds, air layers etc. Going on a dig (Yamadori) or thinking of importing? Discuss how, when and where here.
nishiki3
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by nishiki3 »

hey, i find the best way to grow japs from seed is to pick seeds fresh in autumn (if you can) then store them dry on a rack so air can move around them or you may get mold, then about 4 - 6 weeks before spring mix the seeds with peat moss ( this is the important part :!: ) the peat moss must be mixed with the perfect amount of water because, 1. too dry and the seed will dry out!. 2. too wet and the seeds will turn to mush! the amount of water needed is judged by when you squash the peat in your hand you must have 1 to 3 drops of water come out. then mix the seed in, the more seed mixed in the closer you seed will come up. then you should store the seed in a closed plastic bag in a cool room or a fridge. the seed can be stored from 3 to 6 weeks. no longer than 6 weeks :twisted: the seed can start to germinate from the 3rd week so you must check the seed at least once a week! then finally when its time to sow (you will know this because the seed will start to shoot) if they are long bean shoots you have waited too long, sowing the seed can be done in the ground or in pots, in either case you need to make a little furrow 1 to 2 inches deep and sprinkle the peat moss/seed mixture in and cover with soil, you only need to cover 1 to 2 cm and if done correctly the seed will be seedlings in the coming weeks. :) i hope everyone will find this information useful as this process has worked very well for me. here is a picture of my Japanese seedlings that were sown in the 1st week of september, this photo was taken the 20th of september, i will put a current photo up in the next day or two, there is approximately 10,000 :roll:
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Ray M
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Ray M »

Hi everyone,
The following photos give an update on what has happened to the Trident Maple seeds.
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I hope you enjoy. :P :D

Regards Ray
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Aussie_Bonsai »

Ray you have some great, healthy seedlings there. i like your think and strategic planning for the future.

Can't wait to see that maples in a couple of years time. right now my Japanese maples are about 5 cm big so i still have a little way to go before i transplant them.

PS thanks for the update and numerous photos

reguards,

Ben
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by nishiki3 »

hey all, just updating my Japanese maple seedlings, they are coming along very nicely. cheers steve.
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Aussie_Bonsai »

WOW! that is a truck load of seedlings!!!! :worship: :tu: :o

Great work, wish i could propagate that many, but my space is limited :(

Ben
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by nishiki3 »

thanks ben :) after 7 years in growing trees this is my best crop, and there has been plenty of failures along the way :palm: btw the maples are for sale bare rooted in winter for $1 each
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Aussie_Bonsai »

nice, if only i lived in victoria...
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by nishiki3 »

i can send to all states as i am an accredited nursery, the minimum order is 50 seedlings. :fc:
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Aussie_Bonsai »

i think i have enough Japanese maple seedling at the moment, seeing as i have propogated my own, but i'll keep your offer in mind incase i want some further donw the track.

Regards,
Ben
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Ray M »

Hi nishiki3,
That looks like a very healthy crop. Great work. Do you get many bonsai people buying from you?

Thanks for showing the progression. I always enjoy seeing the progression of peoples plants.

Regards Ray
nishiki3
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by nishiki3 »

mostly just retail nurseries buy from me but all plants people are welcome :D
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Aussie_Bonsai »

Hi ray,

can i just ask why you cut off the top and the tap root off the seedlings before you re-potted them? :reading: I am thinking about transplanting my Japanese seedlings and wasn't going to do anything to them until i saw this so could you please help me out a bit. :lost:

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Ben
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Chris H »

May be a stupid question answered somewhere else but I couldnt find it.
Where do you get the seeds from ? I have never seen seed pods on my maples.
Maybe Im not looking at the right spot?
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Aussie_Bonsai »

the seeds are in rounds clusters. i just bought a couple lots of different maple seeds off of ebay, a few lots germinated and a few lots didn't.
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Ray M
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Re: Maples from seed

Post by Ray M »

Hi Ben,
I'm sorry I didn't answer you before now. The reason for cutting off the tap root is to encourage the fibrous root system to develop. With bonsai we are looking for roots that spread out from the trunk so we can develop some of the roots to make a good Nebari. We don't want a tap root to develop as this is of no use to us for bonsai. The reason for taking the top out of the plant has a couple of effects. After cutting the tap root off, cutting the top out allows the tree to recover more quickly. It also improves development of branches lower down the trunk.

Regards Ray
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