I have a few questions for the expert's on the forum here. Is it all Acer species that can pollunate a Japanese maple tree? I am aware that the seeds do not produce offspring identical to the parent but in a completely controled enviroment would it be possible to cross polinate (example) a full moon and a red pygmy? Thank you, Josh, TN
There is a very interesting thread on this topic here: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=42898
Josh, If you're looking at hybridization, plants are ususally "crossable" that are in the same genetic Section. Japanese Maples are part of Section Palmata, which includes: Acer palmatum Acer japonicum Acer shirasawanum Acer circinatum Acer sieboldianum Acer pseudosieboldianum There are a few exceptions to this, usually between varieties that have evolved to have separate characteristics but are in close geographic proximity to each other. These sometimes develop a resistance to cross-pollination. Cross-pollination between plants of different Sections is indeed rare and not worth the effort. So it would be futile to attempt a cross, lets say, between a JM and a Sugar Maple.
Thank you for all the help in this question. So it does go to show if you can take your 2 favorite acer palmatum's and put them in a controlled enviroment and they will cross polinate and make a hybrid between the 2. I would assume that new species of acer palmatumes have been created in this way. Thanks
The only way to be sure you have a cross is to do the pollination yourself. Tricky with maples. An alternative is to put the plants side by side and let nature take its course. Some of the seeds produced will likely be hybrids, as long as the plants were blooming at the same time. It is possible to harvest and freeze pollen for pollination of plants that do not flower simultaneously.
