I collected some Japanese Maple tree seeds last fall and over wintered them in the fridge. They have been sprouting like crazy. Looks like another hobby out of control. I never expected so many to sprout. You can't just throw them away if they sprout after all that time.
Wow!! it sure looks like you have an abundance problem on your hands.
Josephine.
Looks like it's time to move them to 4-6" cups. digger
I will have to check the roots and see. I was hoping to move them to 1gal next. Is that too big a jump?
Nope . I did with lots of room for roots . A bunch went into 4,5,6" pots and just have to move them again . Sure used up a bunch of compost . Good excuse to start another batch 7'x8' x2' deep. some went into rows in the ground for 2 years . It's amazing how forgiving and tough they are . Maybe 10 losses out of 200 . digger
I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind-
Are the seeds from a bloodgold or other known variety?
Were other same var. or different var. Japanese maple trees nearby to cross pollinate? ( I like variety and it looks like you do too)
I have only one small bloodgold. Do you know how many years before seed will appear?
That is wonderful that you got so many sprout, surely some will be a great tree. Congratulations.
Paul
(I am going to look for a tree to steal seed from.)
Paul
I do not know the variety for sure on any of them. The homeowners didn't know what type of tree it was. Some are upright and some are cascading varieties. I don't call it stealing. I call it midnight requisition. Actually, we asked each homeowner that had a tree we liked and they were happy to let us harvest the seed. I have taken pictures of each tree and a close up of the leaf where we harvested seed so I can remember what the parent looks like. I am finding the cascading varieties are much more fragile for some reason. There were some standing alone in a front yard and some with other varieties close by. It is interesting to see some of the seed from a tree come out very green and some come out very red. There was obviously some cross pollinating going on there.
I have really enjoyed the process. It takes forever though. It isn't something you can just go out and plant seed and have them sprout. I have been experimenting with several other trees too. I have some golden chain trees and some aristocrat pears and some English columnar oak tree seeds sprout. I have also been working with several types of shrubs like red twig dogwood, verbenum, snowball, Carolina Allspice, varigated willow, confederate rose, other hibiscus varieties, and roses. Some work and some don't, but I will keep trying. I started with about 30 rose cuttings last fall and only had 3 or 4 survive. It was a serious learning experience with many problems with fungus, aphids, spider mite, etc. I will be much more careful next time to avoid those problems.
Thanks Bill,
That was what I wanted to know. Lots of different trees with crossed pollination will give you a chance at some really beautiful trees. You must have a good bit of land to be able to raise all those different seedlings. I could do a lot more after I did some rototilling and picked out 1000 lbs of small to med size rocks.
good luck,
Paul
I think I am going to keep them in containers. I have an acre of land and lots of room to grow them. We also have plenty of irrigation water that costs me $150 a year regardless of how much I use. My problem is the sun. I have trees on the property, but they are at the bottom of the property that is on a very steep hillside. I will have to build some type of shade to keep from cooking them. I plan to jump them to 1 gal pots from the cups they are in now. Since we don't have electricity at the property I bought a battery powered sprinkler controller that will run 4 zones. I just need to get it all set up and working before leaving for vacation.
Hi Bill: Nice looking crop. You are on the right track as far as shade and transplanting goes. I know here in Oklahoma the lace leaf varieties cook in full sun to even 1/2 day. Please let me know when you are ready to sell some of the lace leaf varieties.
Dave
Thanks Dave. I will let you know. Maybe you can tell me how to ship plants or point me to instructions. I assume the best way is when they are dormant.
Bill:
I ship plants all year long. I wrap the rootball or bare root with moist paper towels and then wrap that in a plastic bag. The kew with any plant is to keep it from bouncing around, as the rootball will cause the top to snap off if not secured correctly.
If it were me I would remove as much soil as can easily taken off then wrap the remaining rootball. Tape the root ball into the box or wedge it in with styrafoam so its not rolling around. I only ship on Mondays or Tuesdays as I do not want my plants sitting in a truck or warehouse over the weekend, especially in the dead of winter or the blistering hot that we have now.
I recieved a ginko bareroot in one of those triangular tube mailers the postoffice gives away. You can order free priority boxes from usps.com. I also order their tape, what can I say I am cheap.
If your trees have a bunch of branches i would also tie up the branches. This is kind of hard to explain. I start at the bottom and wrap the limb with cloth for damage controll. Tie the rope there. Wrap the rope as you go up the tree on the outside of the limbs pulling the rope to make a funnel like shape. I will say if it sounds good to you and it looks good then I would secure it that way.
I will look to see if there is a how to anywhere I can find.
Dave
Bill : I just had a picture apear in my brain. It was of the big orange funnel Home depot pulls its christmas trees through and into a webed netting. I may be over complicating the whole issue and it may not be an issue for shipping.
Dave
Thanks Dave. I will have to try the shipping method. I am going to wait for some of these babies to grow a little. Perhaps I will try shipping some this winter or early sprig before they leaf out.
Please let me know when you are ready I will buy some. I am real interested in the lace leaf varieties. Dave
