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| I'm trying to grow a stock of Japanese Maples for plating around the yard and for bonsai. These particular seeds I ordered off eBay and were simply called "Dwarf Japanese Maple seeds" so I'll need some help identifying them as they get older. I put them in the fridge at the beginning of February and it took two months for some seeds to start sprouting in the fridge. I've been examining the seeds once or twice a week and planting the onces that have sprouted.
In the picture, the bottom two rows were the first group I planted. Out of these, only one had barely sprouted at the time it was planted (I've since changed to only planting the sprouted seeds). I used normal potting soil mix which I've found out holds a fair amount of moisture. The most mature seedling in the bottom left, which is starting to grow its maple leaves, is about three weeks old. In the top two rows (and more not pictured) I switched to a seed starting mix. It's very light and airy - feels like a mix of sawdust and perlite. This does not seem to hold as much moisture so I've been using it exclusively. So, does anyone have any tips about growing these seedlings? They normally sit inside in a west facing window that is partially shaded. Some days if the temperature is right I'll sit them outside on the covered front porch for some morning sun. I don't have any grow lights, but would like to supplement lighting on days like today when it's overcast and the sun never shines through. The only thing I have though are those clamp on shop lights and a normal incandescent bulb. I'm worried that this would put off too much heat for these guys. Also, when should I start feeding? Both mixes I used were Miracle-Gro so they have a little something in there already. I'm wanting to maximize my growth out of these as they are already slow growing.
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| I've been growing some JM from seed too. I have been keeping them in full sun since they started growing a few months ago. In the next month or so I will probably find an area with some filtered sun as the highs start getting into the 90s. I use dynamite fertilizer or the cheaper stuff at Lowes that is the same thing. One batch of my JMs are probably over a foot and the newer batch from a Seiryu are 6-8 inches or so. I started growing them in a Rootmaker tray and the roots were nicely developed when I repotted or planted around the yard. My tallest is probably about 18 inches. |
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- Posted by herman_neutics (My Page) on Mon, Apr 27, 09 at 20:55
| Flat, Taking advice from a fellow Texan is a good idea. I'm in Philly and I germinated seeds for the last 2 years. I had good germination success but very slow growth. I'd be happy to share seeds with you this fall if you need a source. I have about 70 cultivars but MAYBE 25 will have samaras. As far as identifying your plants since they are from seed their identity is simply species Acer palmatum. The JA's who sell "dwarf JM seeds" on Ebay are a group of slime balls for a few reasons .....there are no 'dwarf seeds' there are no 'bonsai seeds' and while seeds taken from some cultivars may give something close to the parent the outcome is pretty much a crap shoot. ltruett, |
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- Posted by flatland2d Central Texas (My Page) on Mon, Apr 27, 09 at 23:16
| Thanks for the replies. I'm also interested to get the name of the recommended fertilizer. When do you start and how much? I think I'm going to try and start leaving them outside more often while the temperatures stay nice. The true identity of these seeds doesn't bother me much. That's one reason why I'm trying to grow a whole crop of them. I plan on picking out a few for bonsai and planting the rest in pots or around the yard and give away the rest to friends and family. Are these peat pots pretty good or are the plastic ones better? Those rootmaker trays look interesting. Thanks for the help. |
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| I've been growing the first batch of JM probably since December sometime with most over a foot and the tallest close to 2 feet. They would probably be taller if I would repot them but I don't really have a need for that many JMs. I planted a bunch around the yard and will pot the interesting ones. The ones collected from a Seiryu tree probably started germinating in Feb with the tallest being 6-9 inches. The fertilizer is the Garden Club Select at Lowes. I like the trays because I can leave the seedlings in there and let the root systems develop and not have to worry about the roots circling etc.
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Here is a link that might be useful: fertilzer
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