Viable seed

I’ve never kept seed separated by differ cultivars when collecting, but it’s clear some cultivars do not have viable seed.
Does anyone know which cultivars are viable and which are not, perhaps which have the best germination rate?

 

Hi J. Bloodgood, Atropurpureum, Palmatum and Osakazuki for me are by far the best. Great for grafting onto as well. Very strong on their own roots.

 

Thank you Derek. I have a massive Burgundy lace which is always loaded with seed, and also a Viridis
Which is always loaded, but I’m not so sure the seed on Viridis is viable?
I guess it’s payback for not keeping seed of different cultivars separate and doing some research.
Bloodgood for whatever reason is one I don’t have.

 

I don't find the dissectums of any variety good tbh for seedlings J.

 

Neither do I, even if I can't make statistics. And most of the time, if not always, they're different from the parent tree. Which can sometimes be of some interest, but I suppose that's not what you want.

Among those from which I could collect a significant number of seeds (50+), 'Sango kaku' and 'Ryusen' have shown a high rate of germination.

 

I’m just looking for vigorous rootstocks and perhaps the odd special worth growing on.

 

You mean, for grafting ? In that case, I heard that red maples scions will display a better colour when grafted on seedlings from red maples.

...Not sure that's clear, do you see what I mean ?

 

Yes, that makes sense and thank you. I’ve not grafted before but want to have a go, especially after watching Barthelemys grafting process in the video series I posted.
They make it look a lot easier than others who I’ve seen show their process.
Mind you, professionals always make a task look easy.

 

I confirm that ! I don't want to boast, but air-layering and taking cuttings have no secret for me, but so far I've been unable to graft a single maple. OK, I haven't tried so many, so often, but that's pretty annoying, my ego hurts, it hurts...

 

I found 'Inaba shidare' seeds to have a reasonable germination rate (for a dissectum) and a good amount of red dissectums the one time I planted a decent number of them (a few years ago now):



I would think the traits have a good deal to do with the pollen parent also.

 

I’m sure I will likely have zero success with grafting, but I want to have a go.

 

That's interesting M, I might give it a try this Autumn.

 

Thank you Maf. That’s good to know.
I’d like to concentrate my efforts on seed which has a fair chance of success and it’s good to have the benefit of others experience.
I’ve noticed that a lot of seed does not germinate for me and guess some cultivars are not viable seed producers but not sure which.

 

Only those who never tried are sure to fail...

 

Always up for a challenge.
My initial interest with Japanese Maples came from my father wanting to grow them but he never succeeded, heavy clay and not enough mitigation, there is always a way.
Mind you, now a days it’s so easy to access information, source specialist books and we can ask questions in online forums.