I know you said most people wouldn’t bother growing bonsai from seeds since it takes so long. But every bonsai has to start somewhere, no harm in adding to future populations plus it would be a cool lifelong process and a neat family heirloom of sorts.
Great video. I love how you put so much time and effort into this, I mean, you started in September 2022 and the seedlings are only coming up in March 2023. Growing Bonsai from seed is very satisfying, although a lot of people will tell you not to bother. I think if you're young enough, those trees will be beautiful in 20-30 years time.
So, I've got about 20 seeds currently in the refrigerator. I've got them in exposed shale, watering with about 2 table spoons (~30ml) of water weekly. They are covered in little loaf tins with a tall lid. Should I stop watering them?
Very helpful. Lot of great tips - especially the bit about brushing them by hand to simulate wine. My father - a former farm boy - taught us to do the same thing. Maybe there's something to that! Thank you! :).
I'd advise using hydrogen peroxide if you have some! If using lime sulfur only use a small mist and have it extremely dilute. This was just to kill off any fungal spores that may have been on them. Then after watering the seeds in the pot the water washed off the LS.
I've bought some seeds from ebay and tried just putting them in tray over-winter outside, looks like they all have just rotten. Lessons learned. Anyways I don't want to do all this zip-bags-and-fringe technics :)
It's understandable that you might prefer simpler methods! Experimenting with different techniques is all part of the bonsai journey, and sometimes we learn best through trial and error.🌱🌳
@@notionbonsai right now I also understand that those seeds were really dark and dry, maybe I received dead seeds? I've seen the recommendation in one of the videos to check and use good looking seeds and those in the vid were really different from what I got
This is the first year I have tried seeds and so far I have three shoots - unfortunately I have forgotten what they are! Nothing from the Maples though. A great video Adam and you are right to encourage others to do this as a 'part' of their bonsai journeys. i wish I had started doing this back in 2002 :)
What fun!! Your enthusiasum is so wonderful! And you have way more patience than I do! I would have dug that little over achiever seedling out when I saw it with 2 of it's real leaves all ready, and potted that baby up! I got a bonsai kit for Christmas a few years ago and it came with 4 different seed packs. They mostly sprouted but I didn't get far with them at all. I just pulled them out of the back of the fridge where the ultimately ended up, and potted the rest of them. I got nothing yet. But I did order weeping willow "seeds" (or so I thought) but what came were actually cuttings. One very thick and 4 or 5 thin cuttings. I got them in the mail and into a glass of water 6 days ago, and I already have a lot of roots on most of them but I also have buds growing on the thick one. This seems a little more promising than the seeds.
In the cannabis world we use fans to not only cool off the leafs but also to strengthen there stalk/trunk. It 100% works to let any plant or tree to move slightly to help. Silica also helps to strengthen the trunk
Thanks Adam! Great informative video, i started a mess of 100 paperbark maple seeds last winter, I've got 6 seedlings and I've been searching online for any and all information regarding the survival of maple seedlings, these are extremely rare and difficult to germinate so I'm pretty stoked! Thanks for all your hard work putting these videos together!
I think this is one of your best videos. I love germinating seeds! And I think, even at my age, it's worth the effort for the sheer joy and seeing a new plant develop.
I'm tempted to try putting a net over my Maple seedlings, it's what the Japanese do with young seedlings to put shape into the trunks without using wire. Normally done if you're looking to make Mame but any shape you put in now will not be a bad thing. Also a big fan of hardening seedlings off and exposing them to the weather, definitely helps make them stronger!
Nice video dude! I really like the patience in waiting till they've germinated to show us the results. So last year I made a mistake and stratified my maple seeds dry in the fridge. Apparently they need moisture and cold to break down the inhibiting enzyme so i had zero grow 😢 ill try again this winter (im in new zealand so its autumn now)
Thanku sir ,, u have explain about it very clearly Sir I have a question,, I am form India and hera temperature is high means 35 to 40 degrees So can I grow maple tree? And if yes Then firstly I have to do that , put all seeds in water for 24 hour's and then for 1 month place in fridge, then after placed in a tray which I have shown in video Am I right sir. Can I grow by follow these steps Plzz reply sir And sir one more thing the when I put the seed in the tray and cover it,, then I have to remove the cover time by time?? Or I have to simply apply the cover until seedlings comes??
Thanks for the video. I started with a kit in november with 5 different seeds. After the stratification/germination I've planted them and I allready have 2 little seedling in 2 different pots. A spruce and a albizia. But what do i do now? Do I repot or do I keep them in the smal pot? Thanks for the help and looking forward to the net movie
I have another question for you 🙋♂️, why do Japanese Maple seeds not need to be scratched (Scarified) in order to germinate? Why do they not need to be scratched? Why do they not need that? Should you scratch Japanese Maple seeds or soak Japanese Maple seeds in water? Which method is the best? Soaking or Scarifying? Which fits the best? What are the reasons why do Japanese Maple seeds not need to be scarified? What are the reasons? Why Japanese Maple seeds need to be soaked in water before germination instead of scratching the seed? Why do they need to be soaked in water without scarifying? Why? I hope you can answer these questions.
I have a sprout like yours (7:13 during stratification) but I'm 13 days into propagation, what should i do with it? Carry on with the timetables?, it's a red leaf maple
I love your enthusiasm! I am brand new at bonsai and would like to know your ratios for your bonsai mix. My husband purchased a bonsai kit for me to start with. Thank you.
Fantastic video Adam. I germinated a tray of Chinese Spruce, Engelmann Spruce and Field Maples last winter/spring. Very rewarding but slow progress as you say. The benefit is having full control of how the tree develops in its early stages.
Hey thanks Andrew! 😊 You are totally right! Getting nice bends in when the tree is nice and flexible is great! Don't have to have the wire on as long either 🤗
Hi . Could you let me know where i could buy that seed tray. I like the double skin and individual sections and lid i just cant find one the same . Thanks and love the vid
@Notion Bonsai I have a question, where can I store Japanese Maple seeds before stratification? Where can I store them? I cannot store them in hot temperatures is because hot temperatures may kill all of the seeds, they will no longer be viable after storing them in hot temperatures. When hot temperatures kill seeds, it will not germinate at all. Please tell me where can I store Japanese Maple seeds before cold stratifying them. Please tell me. Please reply to this comment.
Hey Arifur. 🍁🍁🍁 Storing Japanese Maple seeds before cold stratification requires a cool and dry environment. You can store the seeds in a breathable container, such as a paper bag or a mesh bag, to allow air circulation. It's important to keep the seeds away from direct sunlight and avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. A cool and dark place, such as a refrigerator or a cool basement, can be suitable for seed storage. Just make sure the temperature remains stable and within the recommended range for storing seeds. It's also a good idea to label the container with the date of collection or any other relevant information. 🙂
@@notionbonsai Thanks! Refrigerator is the best place to store Japanese Maple seeds before stratification because it makes them become viable and live longer. I need to know what is the temperature for storing seeds for keeping them viable and live longer. Please make sure that you reply in this comment.
I have a maple tree that ive noticed a bunch of seeds on. could I pick them off and do this? or should I wait for them to develop more and naturally fall off before collecting? Appreciate the information
Hi Adam love your video on maple seeds I have a question? You did place them in your green house how did they get snow on them? Did you remove them from the green house part of the winter? Tku dj.
Looks so much like cannabis, that's why this maple is my favorite. I'm at a location now that has one growing outside so before I leave for home I'm going to collect a bag of the seeds but I really want to try and take cuttings from it too
I collected hundreds of Japanese maple seeds from a tree in a local park. I just bunged them all into a couple seed trays with regular compost, and left them out over winter. So far about about 30 have germinated.
I love growing from seed. I also know I've lost so many seedlings!! It's a cool idea to use the fines from your akadama. Yes, it's expensive, but it's still a cool idea.
Hi Adam First of all congrats for your hairs they're so beautiful ❤, congrats also on your results. I know we are already late with season but I'm wondering if Is there any way to force stratification, to reduce time and get sprouts of seedlings in One week? Maybe putting twice the seeds in the freezer to simulate some frost May help reducing the germination process? Second question how long dry seeds May stay viable? I see seeds from 2021 online for sale, Is two years too much in order to get germination? Thanks for your help ❤ l'ora of love marco
Hey Marco! 😄 Thank you for the kind words! Unfortunately, there is no way to force stratification and get sprouts of seedlings in one week. Stratification is a necessary process to break the dormancy of certain seeds and promote germination, and it usually takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the species. Freezing seeds may help to simulate winter conditions and speed up the stratification process, but it is still unlikely to result in germination in just one week. The viability of dry seeds depends on several factors, including the species of the plant, the conditions under which the seeds were stored, and the age of the seeds. Generally, most tree and shrub seeds can remain viable for several years if stored properly in a cool, dry place. However, the longer the seeds are stored, the lower the germination rate may become. Seeds from 2021 should still be viable for germination, but it may be best to purchase seeds from a reputable seller to ensure their quality and viability. 🙂 Hope this helps!!
No, it's not too late to start the germination process Maples. Each tree species has its own ideal germination conditions, so it's important to research the specific requirements for the tree you want to grow. 😊 Though personally, I like to naturally stratify seeds so i wait until autumn to plant them and have them grow in spring.
I sow a bunch every year but I just spread them into a seed tray and just leave them over winter. The only concern is birds, squirrels and others get into the soil to mess every thing up. I get fairly good results without any real effort; no fancy soil mix, incubation cover, etc... just let nature do it's thing. As a bonsai enthusiast you need to grow a few trees from seed and cuttings, it's all part of the process. Keep it up.
I collected Maple seeds from a local park last Autumn and stratified them in a ziplock bag in the fridge and planted them outside fairly recently. I reckon I’ve got going on for about 150 seedlings. I’ve got a lot of pricking out to do in the near future 😂. I agree with you, it’s fun to grow your own just for the experience.
Thanks Carlos! It is generally not necessary to dry the seeds before the water soak. In fact, for many tree species, including acer (maple), it is beneficial to start the germination process with fresh seeds. The water soak helps to hydrate the seeds and initiate the germination process. However, it's important to note that different tree species may have specific requirements for seed treatment, so it's always a good idea to research and follow the recommended guidelines for the particular species you are working with. Some seeds may require scarification (scratching the seed coat) or stratification (exposing to cold temperatures) to enhance germination. Hope this helps! 🤗
It’s always worthwhile germinating and growing trees from seeds but do so along side having more mature trees to look after as otherwise you will have nothing to do while waiting for your seeds to grow and may well grow bored and disillusioned with the idea of bonsai. My advice: get yourself small bonsai trees from a garden centre or supermarket and also look at developing nursery plants into bonsai which is a lot of fun. Grow seeds in addition to that to give yourself future bonsai material to work on. 👍
Hi Jason! This is great advice! 😊 I completely agree with your advice of having a mix of both mature trees and newly germinated seeds. While growing trees from seeds can be a rewarding experience, it can take a long time for them to reach maturity and it can be disheartening to have nothing to work on in the meantime.
Great job on your video. I have a 10 year old maple in a large pot & it’s full of seeds. I will collect them & will try germinating just as you did. I love how excited you were to see the end result. And bless that little lone maple for jumping the gun. 👍
I have a 10 year old maple in my yard too! Im quite new to this though. Do you know how to collect them. And I heard you might have to dry them before planting.
I have a question for you 🙋♂️, Do some people plant stratified seedlings in summer season? Do some people do this? I need to know this is because I haven’t heard more about planting stratified seedlings in summer season. I haven’t heard about this. Should stratified seedlings be planted in summer too?
Yes, some people do plant stratified seedlings in the summer, though it's less common than planting in spring. Stratification is a process that simulates natural winter conditions, which certain seeds require to germinate. Typically, these seeds are planted in the spring, immediately after stratification, as this mimics the natural cycle of growth in the wild. However, there are instances where stratified seedlings are planted in the summer. This might happen if the stratification process was delayed or extended, or if the seeds naturally have a different cycle. Some gardeners or growers might also choose to plant in summer under controlled conditions, ensuring the seedlings receive adequate water, shade, and care to thrive despite the warmer temperatures. It's important to note that planting stratified seedlings in summer requires careful management to avoid heat stress and ensure proper establishment. Generally, spring is preferred because it provides a gentler transition for young plants. However, if conditions are right and proper care is taken, planting in summer can be successful!
Hello. I am from Pakistan. Maples are not found in my country and I am unable to get its seeds. The companies don't ship to Pakistan. I am looking for seeds to grow for a long time. If you want to exchange seeds I can provide you with lots of native Pakistani trees. Such as gulmoher, cassia noodosia, neem, lybernum, kachnar tree (Google it name name is in urdu. It Is very beautiful tree). Moringa tree and many more. If you have extre maple seeds I. Would love to exchange. Seeds don't require any package. They can be send in envelops easily. As letter to each other. Thanks
Japanese maples don't grow in year round warm climates though. They need a winter dormancy period where they drop leaves. Maybe not the best for coastal Pakistan.
A tech question: I hear that growing from seeds you can never be sure how the young ones will turn out. Is this because of possible cross-pollination from other Japanese maples nearby (very few in my case), or from other maples of different varieties (plenty)? I'm no scientist, but I like to know how these things work - the birds and the bees, you know? My folks never taught me much about such things; I had to learn it on the street.
You're onto something there! 🍁🍁Maple trees can cross-pollinate with other maple varieties in the area, leading to genetic variations in the seeds. This genetic mix-up results in offspring that may differ significantly from the parent tree. It's like nature's way of adding surprises to the mix! The pollination dance of maple trees is quite the mystery! There's this fascinating idea that has been circling around - for instance, with Sugar Maples, some researchers used to believe they were solely pollinated by insects. Others suggest a mix of factors: wind might have a role to play, or it could be a combo deal with both insects and wind working together. It gets even cooler when you peek at the flowers themselves. If you spot a tiny, green, leaf-dangling flower like the Manitoba Maple's, wind is probably in charge of the pollination. But when you stumble upon those large, colorful flowers cuddled up close to the twig, like the Mountain Maple's, that's when the wind or mixed pollination theory steps in.
In this video you mentioned that you weren't stratifying your seeds because it was already Autumn when you were planting them, which makes sense. Is there an ideal time to be stratifying seeds? It's early July right now, if I were to take a month or two to stratify my maple seeds and then plant them in late August to early September, would that be too close to winter to have them as seedlings? I live in an area where it typically starts snowing in mid to late October. Thank you so much! All of your videos are super informative!
Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you find the videos helpful. Stratifying seeds mimics natural winter conditions, so ideally, you'd start stratification in late winter to early spring. For maples, it's usually best to stratify the seeds for 1-3 months in the fridge, depending on the species. Starting stratification in early July and planting in late August to early September might not give the seedlings enough time to establish before winter, especially if snow begins in October. I recommend waiting until late winter to stratify your seeds and then planting them in early spring. This gives them a full growing season to establish before the next winter. Good luck with your maple seeds! 🌱🍁
Can I start my maple seeds now in December? I live in Canada, and it's been on average around -10C. I was lazy and probably should have done this in fall :/
Starting maple seeds in December might be a bit tricky, especially with temperatures around -10C. You could try stratifying the seeds by placing them in a moist environment in your fridge for a few weeks to simulate winter conditions. Once the weather warms up a bit in spring, around March or April, you can then plant them outside or in pots. It might delay things a bit, but it's worth a shot!
While it's true that seeds can grow naturally without human involvement, I have found that doing it this way has a higher success rate so if you are buying seeds, less go to waste. 🤗🌳
I would like to germinate Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) seeds next year because I ❤️ Norway Maple trees, they look very pretty. I will do this experiment that is stratification and without stratification. I will check which method is the best for germinating Norway Maple seeds. These seeds do not require scarification because the seeds are not hard, it is very soft. This year, I will collect Norway Maple seeds in fall season and then when I go home, I will store them in the fridge before germination. I would like to keep the seeds cool and dry once I store them in the fridge before germination.
Hello again! On another site dedicated to the cultivation of Japanese maples, it was recommended that if your damp seeds get a bit moldy in the fridge, to soak them very briefly - no more than one minute - in a weak solution of bleach (1 part household bleach to 9 parts water), then to rinse them VERY thoroughly, several times, in water that has been boiled and allowed to cool to room temperature. (I put water to boil 10 minutes in my largest pot one evening, leaving it covered during and after; some 24 hours later it was cool enough.) My seeds had been kept in folded paper towels, and after two weeks or so there was a bit of mold on the paper towels. (Perhaps they were too damp.) The anti-mold instructions were simple enough, but I had five bundles to deal with - floaters and non-floaters, seeds from two different places and different varieties of Japanese maple, different times of collection (end of June and end of October - I didn't realize that June is way too soon, but we will see). I wanted to give them all a fighting chance at life. But I wanted to do the bleaching and rinsing of them all together, and found a good way to save time on this step without mixing the seeds all up again. Each group - which varied from 16 seeds to 50 or so - I enclosed in a plastic mesh bag, with a tiny label inside indicating the group. Of course it has to be a fine mesh, or the seeds will slip right out. Don't bother with the potato and onion bags. The best bags I found - I had them on hand - are from bags of garlic, with a mesh of no more than 2mm. I threw all my batches in the same pint jar (50cl), and after the bleaching, I rinsed them all simultaneously, maybe ten times, in the sterilized water, using a small pot (which I had sterilized along with the water) as a ladle, shaking well and letting stand a few minutes, then changing the rinse water again. Now the seeds are in bags of slightly damp vermiculite, in the fridge, and I'm hoping for the best. (Speaking of notions, many of you will know Leadbelly's immortal song, "Good Night, Irene", which goes in part "sometimes I take a great notion..." This is also the source of the title for Ken Kesey's fine novel, "Sometimes a Great Notion". Sorry for the digression, but everything is related!)
Hey man, very cool video. Thank you. I am about to plant some seeds now, living in a country that doesn't really get a winter. A side tip for your vid, next time mix up your potting medium and the moss together in 1 bowl, then fill the little ones.😂 That was an awesome video, very helpful.
Great video! I'm about to stratify a bunch of seeds in the fridge for this spring. My local temperature gets warm then freezes too much to do it outside I think. To save space I'm thinking of layering the seeds in a larger container and transplanting them to the seedling trays when I take them out in spring. One thing you didn't mention is what you would have done if you found mold halfway through? I assume another spray of the anti-fungal? Another cool thing about growing from seed is the increased opportunity to create something unique by providing obstacles for the tree to adjust to. There's a lot we can do before they get big enough to wire.
Subscribed. I'm about to work up a game plan myself, and get my seeds germinated. I think I'm going to stratify them though, seeing as summer is upon me. Gonna transcribe this video into a set of directions and get to work! Thank you!
He way I do it is the more natural way, get your seeds put them in whatever compost you have, use a simular type of propagator, put them in a shelter spot for the winter, then move them into the greenhouse in the spring. When July, August comes it's back outside in a shelter spot till established, it's a more natural prosess. If they live they live if they die they die, my success rate is great,. I planted 25 very dry maple seeds off of ebay last year and got 23 Seedlings doing great!
Please can you do an update to show how the seedlings are getting on. Also, what problems/pests you may have encountered. How many are you left with 6 months on??
Hey! 🤗 You might want to try contacting local plant nurseries or tree suppliers in your area to inquire about the availability of maple trees. They might be able to provide you with information on where to purchase maple trees or even assist you in sourcing one.
My Japanese maple has tons of seeds this year. I've gotta try this! I grow tomatoes plants and would never leave the plastic cover over them after germination. The reduced light makes the plant stretch and encourages fungus algae growth. Apparently maples are more resistant to that. Cool!
I have a Japanese maple in the backyard. Is it possible to harvest seeds from it? And if so around what time can I do that and how long should I dry them before planting?
Having tried literally hundreds of seeds over the last few years I think I now realise it was the soil was the problem. My seeds always rotted. I’m down south in cork so I might give your method a shot this year.
Absolutely! Since cypress seeds typically prefer well-draining soil, using an inorganic mix can provide the necessary drainage while still retaining moisture. 🌱🌲
Hey Eric! You can do this for sure! Though there can be fungal problems with this sometimes so it can be helpful to treat the seeds with a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide or cinnamon 🤗
Hi Adam! Thank you so much for all your videos. I still have a question: we have November now. Can I stratify the seeds of plants outdoor as you show it if our temperature is not that low (rare lower than -5)? Or is it better to put them to the frigerator wirh -18🥶. Maybe it is too cold? Nice greetings😊 Eva
Ah nice! Keeps them nice and strong! I knew a guy whod take his thicker Bonsai in development and bend them with his hand in all directions to thicken the trunk faster! 😀
What if I forgot to take out the seeds from the fridge? I got a couple of seeds as a present, and per instruction, i put them in the fridge but took them out after 9 months. They were in a translucent bag and slid to the bottom, i found them when i was doing deep cleaning. Are they dead😢?
Hi! Don't lose hope just yet! While it's not ideal to leave seeds in the fridge for that long, there's still a chance they might be viable. Some seeds have remarkable resilience and can withstand extended periods of cold storage. To find out if the seeds are still alive, you can perform a simple germination test. Take a few of the seeds and place them between moist paper towels or in a small container with moist soil. Keep them in a warm, well-lit area and monitor them closely over the next few weeks to see if they sprout. If they do germinate, congratulations! You still have some viable seeds on your hands. If not, don't be too disheartened. It's a learning experience, and you can always try again with fresh seeds or different species. Remember, patience is key in bonsai, both with seeds and with the trees themselves. Keep experimenting and learning, and you'll continue to grow. Good luck, and I hope your seeds surprise you with some new life! 🌱🌳
may I ask how long to stratify the seeds in the fridge? Should I leave it in the fridge for 30 days, then take the seeds out and let it grow? I live in Vietnam, so it's about 35 Celsius on average
Hey! When stratifying maple seeds in the fridge, it's generally recommended to leave them in the cold stratification for about 30-90 days. The exact duration may vary depending on the maple species and the specific requirements for breaking seed dormancy.
Great video Adam congratulations on those seedlings. Yes it’s true for all trees the movement from the wind will strengthen the trees. Sometimes I won’t be tying my trees in because I think the movement Will also give it a quicker nebari 👍👍👍👍
I tried stratifying japanese maple seeds in the fridge before but failed spectacularly! Dont know if the seeds were bad or if i did something wrong. I collected the seeds from a maple not far from my apartment at the time. I also find it very satisfying to grow trees from seed, and if youre not aiming to get a super big bonsai it dont have to take that much more time either befor you can start working on it :) thanks for the video! will try my luck with japanese maple seeds again soon!
