Growing Japanese Maple bonsai from seed is a long-term commitment. It is time consuming and will require a lot of patience. However, growing Japanese Maple bonsai from seeds can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
Do Japanese maples grow true from seed?
Japanese maple don’t grow true from seeds. The only way to clone the traits of the mother tree is by grafting or growing by cuttings. Grafting is the only way named varieties are reproduced.
Collecting seeds
Collecting the seeds at the right time of the season is very important. Wait for the seeds to fully develop before collecting them. Early fall is the most appropriate time to collect seeds of Japanese maple tree.
It is also important to keep in mind that some years the seeds production may be low. There are many possible reasons why this occurs, such as low watering frequency, trees dropping seeds early, or late spring frost damaging the flowers and seeds. Sometimes, however, a Japanese maple that is slightly stressed will produce more seeds.
Also remember that different varieties of Japanese maple trees will have different sized seeds. There are some Japanese maple tree varieties with large seeds that are easy to find. On the other hand, some trees like Lion’s head Japanese maple have tiny seeds. As a result, you must carefully observe the tree in order to collect the seeds.
It is advisable to collect the seeds in plastic ziplock bags so that it will be convenient for you to lock the bag once you are done collecting (easy for storage and preventing seeds from falling out), and label the bag if you are collecting seeds from multiple tree varieties.
Stratification
Do Japanese maple seeds need stratification?
Cold stratification of seeds is not necessary in cold regions. Natural cold climate will be enough for cold stratification. However, if you live in a hotter climate, you will need to cold stratify the seeds. The seeds should be kept in the refrigerator for almost 90 days. A temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) should be sufficient. Some people keep the seeds in plastic bag with peat moss. However, you can do the cold stratification without peat moss as well.
Soil
Plant the seeds in a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter. You can use a soil mix of perlite, peat, pine bark in the ratio of 1:1:8. Make sure that the pine barks are not too big or else it will prevent the seeds from germination if it covers the seed.
Preparing the seed tray
For sowing the seeds, you will need a plastic/ wooden tray. Wooden trays are generally recommended as plastic trays can sometimes increase the chances of fungal attack on the seeds.
Line the tray with paper. It is just used to prevent the soil from spilling out of the bottom of the tray. Newspaper or butcher paper should be good enough. It provides appropriate drainage and it also decomposes naturally with age and with water. You can even use a small pot.
Fill the tray with the soil.
Sowing the seeds
How to plant Japanese maple bonsai seeds
Apply a light fungicide to the seeds. Spread the seeds on the soil after mixing with the fungicide. After spreading the seeds, apply a light layer of soil over the top of the seeds. It is fine if you see parts of seeds through the soil. Don’t cover the seeds with a thick layer of soil.
In case you are planting multiple seed varieties in the tray, remember to label the tray area so that you remember which seed is which. Some varieties will take almost 2 years to stratify, so marking the tray will be very helpful.
The tray should also be protected from mice since they can eat the seeds from it. You can cover the tray with some type of cover.
Germination
Keep the soil moist. Wait till the spring and monitor the growth of the seedlings (they will look like grass). In late spring, as the seedlings grow, you can separate them into a individual pots. At this time, the seedlings will be slightly rigid (a bit hardened).
In about 1 year, you should have 8-15 inch seedlings. Depending on the size of the seedling, you can change the size of the pots after the seedlings have hardened off.
Continue to care for them in a bright location with regular watering and fertilization. As the seedlings grow, start shaping them into the desired bonsai form by pruning and wiring the branches. This process requires careful attention and should be done gradually over time. Continue reading about Japanese maple bonsai care.
How long does it take to grow a Japanese maple bonsai from seed?
Growing a Japanese maple bonsai from seed can take several years, typically between 5 to 7 years or even longer. It depends on various factors, such as the seed’s quality, germination conditions, and the care and maintenance provided to the bonsai plant.
Additionally, Japanese maple bonsai typically require several years of growth before they start to develop the desired characteristics, such as an attractive trunk and branches, and a well-formed canopy. Therefore, growing a Japanese maple bonsai from seed requires patience, dedication, and a long-term commitment to the project.
