Hello, I have grown Japanese Maples before. I planted about 400 seeds from a mature Japanese Maple about 3 years ago. From this, approximately 150 grew for 2 years. They grew enough that it was becoming annoying to carry water jugs to the garden. I hooked up my well water, ran it a few times to "clean" it, then watered the trees thinking the water was good. They all died! Anyways. From the same mature tree, I have collected approximately 5,000 seeds this past year. I will put them in Ziploc bags with soil and allow the seeds to soften and begin germination in the refrigerator. My question pertains to how I should go from this point. I want to make sure I do everything as right as possible as this could become a side business. My question to you would be how to take the seeds from the fridge to the outside world. I have a greenhouse with a 50% shade cover. I was thinking of buying the following (https://www.amazon.com/Seedling-Starter-Germination-Labels-6-cell/dp/B00BRQ3QWK) to allow germination to go further. Can I go straight from the fridge outside? Is there a best soil? A best amount of water? A best pH? Any other key elements? Is there a way to judge the height of the tree to determine the width of the new container I should move it to? Should I keep it under 50% shade always or until a certain time period, then move to full sun? I appreciate any and all expertise. Thank you. - GA_Maples
Japanese Maples prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5-6). Do you know what pH your well water is? I'd guess it might be quite alkaline? So maybe set up a rainwater collection system, to store what runs off your roof, etc.
I'm not sure what the pH of the water was from the well. I'd guess it was alkaline. 1) Do you think those containers are a good idea to let the seedlings grow in? 2) Is there a best soil type to use? 3) Should I leave in 50% shade or move to direct sunlight from the fridge? 4) Are there any other recommendations you have? Thank you.
1/ For the first year, yes. Then repot in individual containers 2/ A rather free-draining mix: most trees, including maples, resent being kept in a very moist environment all the time. The kind of soil I use for seedlings is, roughly 1/3rd composted pine bark and 2/3rd inorganic mix (pumice, pozzolane, or the like) 3/ I'd say 50 % shade A.K.
