I checked my 'Hogyoku' samaras today and found about 10 with radicles. So proud I wanna give out cigars!~ But then i realized radicles aren't seedlings so what precautions should be followed for success? At this stage is frost an issue? Temps are still dropping below freezing at night and it's possible to get some snow for another month. Vertrees mentions getting one year plants to 1m! Anyone else had that degree of growth? Any tips? Many Thanks Gil
Maybe I'm just reading this incorrectly, but you said radicles aren't seedlings. Bit confused by what you meant, seedlings will have a radicle. This signifies they're growing. Seed germination doesn't require light, should be ok to germinate further inside, when leaves form it will need light.
Thanks for reply Nature, I wasn't sure if the term seedling might only apply to a plant that has shown above ground growth. Would you say that moving them inside until they have a need for sunlight is the way to go under my circumstances? Gil
Almost all seeds won't germinate/die if put into freezing temps while germinating (I don't mean while dormant), but if you see acorns on the ground germinating in your area, it's fine for the Acer seeds to be out probably. (I say acorns, becuase they're germinating here in the masses, but we still have nights around 0*C) Yes, without a doubt, best thing you could do is keep them warm/moist, meaning indoors, maybe in a humidity tent such as a plastic baggie until their cotyledon leaves emerge. Then they must have light. Of course, a fool proof way of making sure they germ. when conditions are right, is to simply plant them outside, and they'll start germinating when it's right. Although this runs the risk that the outdoors brings (harsh weather, bright light, animals).
In this part of the city I don't see much germinating. But we're in about the same zone. Philly was z6 not long ago now it's z7. I'll bring half inside and place in a cooler part of my house. I wonder if there may be a higher chance of fungus if the temp is warmer? Or is it the other way around because the colder temperature slows growth and leaves the seedling vulnerable for a longer time frame? I did not use a sterile mix but one that should be teeming with good biology. Also they are in peat pots so there is drying action all around the pot.
