How to Grow Japanese Red Maple Trees from Seed

Most Japanese Maple seeds ripen in the fall. Watch the tree and wait for the seeds to turn brown. The seeds are ready to be harvested when they are brown and can be easily removed from the tree.

In order for all of this to happen in the proper sequence so the seedlings actually sprout at a time of the year when freezing temperatures or hot summer sun doesn�t kill them, takes a tremendous amount of luck.If May 15th is your target date you should count backwards on the calendar 100 days. That will take you to about February 5th if my math is correct. On or about the 100th day prior to your target planting date, take the seeds and place them in a Styrofoam cup or other container that will withstand some hot water. Draw warm to hot water from your kitchen faucet and pour it over the seeds. Most of the seeds will float, just leave them in the water overnight as the water cools down. 24 hours later most of the seeds will have settled to the bottom of the cup.I have compiled a short but very good list of plants which have been very good choices for the beginner bonsai grower, and which will be easily obtainable and widely used:All plants love a humid environment, and your Japanese Maple will thrive in this type of environment. Humidity can be increased by filling a shallow container with small stones, and then covering the stones with water, and then placing your bonsai pot on top of the stones. The humidity level is increased as the water evaporates from the shallow container. Additional humidity slows down the water loss from the trees leaves, a process called transpiration. Another way to increase the humidity level and reduce the transpiration of water from the leaves is to give your bonsai a frequent spraying with a fine mist.The Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum) is a deciduous tree which has green leaves in the spring which turn a beautiful rich red in the summer time and a dazzling red in the fall. This kind of tree isn't going to need a great amount of maintenance beyond what is recommended for most bonsai plants. Grow it in full summer sunlight but safeguard it from excessive cold and severe frost during the cold months. As with all bonsai, watering your plant correctly is very important. This maple enjoys small, frequent watering, and make sure you never let the soil dry out entirely.The seeds are attached to a wing, it�s best to break the wing off before storing or planting the seeds. Japanese Maple seeds have a very hard outer coating as do many ornamental plants. Under natural conditions the seeds would have to be on the ground for almost two years before they would germinate. All that happens the first winter is the moisture softens the hard outer shell, and the second winter germination is beginning to take place.Drain off the water. Place the seeds in a plastic bag with a mixture of sand and peat or other suitable growing mix. Even light potting soil will work. The peat or soil should be moist, but not soaking wet. Poke some holes in the bag so there is some air circulation, and place the bag in your refrigerator for a period of 100 days.The Right Amount of Sunlight is ImportantWatering Your Japanese Maple

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Author: Michael McGroarty