Another strong case for using Japanese maples for your miniature tree is the fact that there are many cultivators, or genetic strains, that already grow dwarfed and are easily trained. How to grow Japanese maples. Move the plant to an unheated garage or basement where temperatures remain above freezing (an attached garage works great). We are selling our home and aren’t going to be able to take the tree but I want to see how I … Japanese-Maple.com's Ken Alston shares the little-known nursery secret to germinate Japanese maple tree seeds Collect Japanese maple seeds when they are just about to come off the tree to maximize the viability. The seed pods under the covering are edible. Otherwise, Japanese maples do best in zones 6 to 8, with some varieties that thrive in zone 5 as well. Under natural conditions the seeds would have to be on the ground for almost two years before they would germinate. The weeping Japanese Maple is a beautiful tree with its low arching branches reaching to the ground. Continue reading to learn more about how to grow a Japanese maple tree. Fill a food-storage container … The top of a refrigerator works well for germinating seeds. Place in a cold frame and wait for signs of growth. Japanese Maples are excellent ornamental trees to grow in pots. All that happens the first winter is the moisture softens the hard outer shell, and the second winter germination is beginning to take place. Place your saved seeds in the fridge for 3-4 months over the winter or direct sow in the fall for spring germination. I will cover the basic strategies that are essential to understand when owning and training a Japanese maple bonsai. The seeds would germinate if they were broadcast in late autumn in a fertile seedbed, but they could germinate over possibly three years. Japanese maples are easy to grow in containers or in the ground, with most preferring a sheltered, shady spot. In fact, you can find varieties that grow anywhere from a few feet tall, to 8′ or more in height. It is very likely that the seeds you germinate from cultivars will not grow into exactly the same type of tree. Are Maple Seeds Edible? When fully ripe, the fruit eventually … Their small stature and relatively slow rate of growth makes them perfect for containers. Spacing. This article by a leading nursery expert reveals the little known "nursery secrets" to reliably germinate Japanese maple seeds. Seeking to attain germination rates as high as 98%? People ask me all the time how to germinate dry Japanese maple seeds that they buy online. Pour 1/2 cup of sand and 1/2 cup of peat moss into a plastic bag. Mulching. Break off the wings on the seeds, if they are still attached. Japanese Maples have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but while they have needs that need to be attended to for best growth and color, they are a tough and adaptable plant. Seed should be sown fresh in autumn. The hot water soak will soften the outer hard shell of the seeds. Before sowing, we do the stratification of the seeds. If you pick a tree that doesn’t get taller than 10 feet (3 m.) tall, you won’t have to do annual pruning. Protect your Japanese maple from areas that experience strong winds. Begin the planting … As maple fruit ripens, it turns green to yellow to brown. Japanese Maple seeds have a very hard outer coating as do many ornamental plants. Soak the Japanese maple seeds in a bowl of hot water for 24 hours. Small and slow growing with a graceful habit and beautiful foliage, they're the perfect choice for even the tiniest of gardens. Out of stock. Overwinter potted Japanese maples in a protected spot after foliage drops in the fall. How to Grow Japanese Red Maple Trees from Seed 1. A Japanese maple tree is one of the most easily recognizable trees thanks to its lovely red hue. Mulch protects the roots from the heat in summer, the cold in winter and reduces the frequency of watering. Easy to Grow Japanese Maples. The biggest version can grow to 20 feet tall and 8 feet wide, so keep that in mind. So we put the seeds in a paper envelope, submerge them in a glass of water, close in a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator for 4 weeks (sometimes more). Place the seeds in a disposable cup and write the name of your Japanese maple on the side. Poke three to four small holes into the plastic bag with a pencil point. The helicopters, also called whirligigs, but technically known as samaras, are the outer covering that must be removed when eating seeds from maple trees. Harvest. If you leave them longer, you will see that they germinate even in the refrigerator. There are more varieties than one could count, from dwarf maples for containers to upright trees worthy of a focal point in your garden. Popular wisdom holds that Japanese maple tree seeds are difficult to germinate. SOme germinate quite readily, others produce few viable seeds from yar to year. [5] Mulch is a good friend of your maple. Pick dwarf or semi-dwarf species for your potted Japanese maples. Japanese maples are ideal as a four-season interest tree that fits well in a small-space garden. There are a few different kinds of Japanese maples, so your spacing will depend on what kind you get. There are quite a few dwarf options to choose from when it comes to Japanese maple trees. Here’s everything you need to know about how to propagate, grow, and plant a Japanese maple. Apply a loose mulch, such as wood chips or pine needles over the planted area to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Keep the soil moderately moist until returning the maple outdoors in the spring. Success will largely be determined by the variety of the maple you have. Look for the most robust seeds (samara). How to propagate Japanese maples. Store your seeds in a cool dry place until you are read to start stratifying them. There are many variations of the process, but we like to keep things simple.