Hi Seedling Growers, This was my first year trying to grow maples from seed. I got good germination, and some of my seedlings look pretty good (about 1/3 of them). The rest look disgusting. They may have only two leaves, the leaves look mostly dried up, some have even dropped all leaves, but the little trunks still look healthy and there are dormant buds at the tops of the trunk. I planted them in a mix that was 1/3 pine mulch, 1/3 coir, 1/3 compost. They were brought from under fluorescent light and gradually acclimated to growing outside over about a month, first in a poly greehouse and then outside in dappled light. Actually, they didn't look any worse once I put them outside, so I don't think I messed up moving them outside. If there is anyone who could give me some tips on growing seedlings, I would sure appreciate it. The ones that lost their leaves but still have the dormant bud I am thinking might grow new leaves. Is that possible? A couple are already trying. I am thinking it's the watering I have messed up on or my soil, or both. I am currently trying to move them into a little more sun and being careful about keeping them watered. They are in 4" pots. I am amazed at the variation in the leaves (the ones that have nice leaves:)) and also how many dissectums there are. I really expected to get mostly green palmate leaves. Thanks for any tips from the experts out there. Kay Dye
Hi Kay Dye, I am not expert in seddlings since I've just started this year. I wanted to grow seedlings to give away maples to people who visit the garden. I just can't tell what you've done wrong, if anything. You seem to have followed standard advice. In my case, I took my seed trays (including both species and cultivars, I used standard potting mix), after 2 months in the fridge, outside in February. They have seen the full weather since, including full sunshine in the morning (mandatory protection from snails/slugs, luckily I have neither rabbits nor deer). Success rate very good. After seedlings put out the second set of leaves they were transplanted to individual pots and they are growing happily thereafter with zero lossess. It seems easy and straightforward. This may also be the last time I do it since there are so many seedlings growing all over the place from fallen samaras: it would be so much easier to dig them out ;o)) and, most of the time, from their location I can tell the mother plant. Gomero