I notice that most JM seedlings I have germinated closely resemble the mother tree. I assume this is because many/most seeds are self-pollinized on the mother tree and/or the expression of dominant matrilineal features. From the many hundreds of 2-3 year old seedlings I have germinated, I am surprised I do not have more "new & different" plants. I have hundreds of different cultivars in my yard in close proximity and would have thought the multitude of combinations would have produced more new-looking seedlings. Outside of the good chapter on plant physiology in van Gelderen's Maples of the World, I can find almost nothing in the JM literature on the genetics of these trees. Does anyone know some good books and/or articles on the genetics of Japanese maples please? I am fascinated by the subject & need to learn more. Thank you.
Hi Katsura, I have not seen the kind of info you are asking for and I think I have most of the published books (in English and French) on Maples, maybe past issues of the Maple Society Newsletter which I do not have........ I am surprised you do not see "different" (maybe not "new") plants in your seedlings, but you need to be patient, at least two seasons, to tell. Sometimes I get spectacular things like this year with a tray of seedlings from a 'Burgundy Lace', they are all different! Seedlings make much appreciated gifts for people who visit the garden. Gomero
