How to Grow Japanese Maples

If you want amazing foliage in your yard throughout the seasons, then there is perhaps not a more beautiful tree than the Japanese maple. A Japanese maple, also known as Acer palmatum, is a species of tree native to Asian countries including Eastern China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea. While various types of Japanese maples can be purchased in nurseries, growing one from a seed can be a very rewarding experience.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Japanese maple seeds
• Potting Soil
• Plastic freezer bag
• Peat moss
• Trowel
• Pot for planting

1. Purchase seeds at your local nursery or online. Alternatively, you can get the seeds from an already established tree. Be sure that the seeds you purchase are for trees that will survive in your temperature zone.

2. Pick a day that you will plant seeds. This day should be in the spring after the last frost. Be sure to pick this day well ahead of time so you have an opportunity to stratify your seeds.

3. Start stratifying seeds 90 days before you plan to plant the seeds. You will stratify the seeds by cleaning the seed and then breaking off the wing attached to the seed. Next, soak the seed in a cup of hot water for about 24 hours.

4. Obtain a plastic freezer bag and fill it with peat moss. Dampen the peat moss and then place the seed in the bag. Poke some holes in the bag and then store the bag in a cool place for about 90 days. Some people use their refrigerator.

5. Watch the bag to see if the seeds have started to sprout. Once they sprout, you can plant the sprouts in potting soil. Be sure to plant the seed just beneath the surface of the soil.

6. Water the seed thoroughly and then wait until it dries out before watering again.

7. Keep the soil at a temperature of 70 degrees. You can use a lamp to keep the soil temperature constant if necessary.

Resources

• To learn more about the Japanese maple go to freeplants.com.