How To Grow Japanese Maples: Part 4.

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"How to Grow Japanese Maples"
from http://japanese-maple.com
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Here's Part 4 in our mini-course
on "How To Grow Japanese Maples.

In this part we'll cover the following:
Propagation: Seeds and Seedlings - Part I:
* Sexual Reproduction
- The 5 Secrets to germinating seeds successfully

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION:

Seeds are the result of sexual reproduction. In the wild, maple flowers are fertilized by pollen brought in by insects or blown in on the wind. And the resulting seed holds the promise of a new tree.

Seedlings germinated from open pollinated seed are similar to, but NOT identical to their parents - just like children are not identical to their parents. When we germinate seed we don't know exactly what we are going to get in leaf shape, color and tree characteristics.

This is part of the FUN of growing new plants from seed!

It also means we should not call seedling trees the cultivar name of the seed parent. They can be described as 'seedlings from xyz seed'. Where xyz is the cultivar name from which the seed came.

Some maples do come relatively true from seed and these are the ones normally chosen for rootstock for grafting (more of that in the next chapter!)

Some people will tell you that successfully germinating Japanese maple seed is a challenge. They can be - when you don't follow the 5 "Nursery Secrets" to Successful Seed Germination.

Nursery Secret #1: Coir Seed Compost

We germinate all our seed in a coir seedling compost. You might be thinking...What's Coir, and Why is it Better? - read on.

Coir is the short fiber that remains after the meat, shell, and long fibers have been extracted from coconuts. Coir promotes excellent root development (up to 50% more root growth for many plants).

And because coir is porous, it allows air to circulate, reducing the incidence of root diseases. Compared to peat moss, coir retains more moisture and nutrients, is much easier to wet initially and is easier to re-wet if it dries out.

Coir lasts up to four times as long as peat and can be reused several times for successive sowings. In addition to coir, our compost also contains worm castings and mealworm guano as a source of natural nutrients; the castings also enhance aeration and water retention.

Coir Seedling Compost

Nursery Secret #2: Correct Nutrition

SuperThrive is the most recommended "50 in 1" instant, 'bio-usable' vitamins and hormones complex we know of.

SuperThrive is the #1 acitvator, reviver and transplanter for indoor plants, outdoor plants, bare rooted plants, seeds, seedlings, trees, bulbs and even lawns.

Used for over 60 years and recommended by dozens of books, magazines, conferences, newspapers, TV and radio shows and even 5 US Government Deprtments! SuperThrive is not a fertilizer - you add SuperThrive to your existing plant food to boost your plants and add vigor to their
growth.

SuperThrive is super-concentrated - use only 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water!

I've used this to revive new Japanese maple seedlings that were accidentally frosted overnight! I also use it routinely to kick start healing on newly grafted trees and to promote growth in newly germinated seedlings. I thorughly recommend it to reduce transplant shock when
planting new plants.

SuperThrive

Nursery Secret #3: Avoiding "Damping Off"

Newly germinated seedlings are very delicate things! It is very easy to overwater and leave the tender shoots to suffer from what we call 'damping off'.

Essentially this is a rotting process brought on by the natural fungal spores that are in the air. We encourage a natural approach to pest and disease control and so we use a natural microbial fungicide sprayed occasionally over the emerging seedlings.

SoilGard Microbial Fungicide.

Nursery Secret #4: Never Plant Seeds Directly Outdoors

Maple seeds are a perfect Spring treat for rodents like mice! If you try sowing directly in the ground outdoors you're likely to lose much of your crop!

Always use seed pans started in a greenhouse or kept in a secure cold frame outside. And whatever else you do - do NOT discard your seed pans at the end of the sowing season!

Japanese maple seed is fickle and more seed will
germinate in the second and even the third season if you keep it for another year.

Nursery Secret #5: The "CRITICAL Factor"

THE one factor above ALL others that will make or break your attempts to germinate Japanese maple seeds is the FRESHNESS of your seeds. Be very choosy where you get your seed from. We primarily use seed from the most recent season. Our nursery and our income depends on how well we germinate our seed, so this is a VITAL aspect.

All our seed is subjected to a 'cut test' by our supplier to check the viability of the seed. Most of our seed is rated at 85% germination or above. Some is even as high as 98%.

Occasionally we are only able to get seed of a particular type with lower cut test results - whatever the number - INSIST on knowing this VITAL quality fact before considering purchasing the seed.

All our seed sales quote the cut germination test scores and is the same seed we sow in the nursery for our stock plants.

Each year we germinate tens of thousands of seeds from 7 to 10 different named cultivars. Often seed is so high in quality that most of the seed starts germinating in the refrigerator in January and February with no additional stratfication treatment needed!

Fresh Seeds (Usually Available: November through April)

Happy growing online and in dirt.

Ken Alston
Commonwealth Plants, LLC
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Ken Alston is a green thumbed British gardener, plant-aholic and nurseryman who provides
ordinary gardeners and fellow plant-aholics with growing tips, techniques and rare plants.

http://japanese-maple.com
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