Question
sprouted maple seed
Dear Mike,
I found a sprouted maple seed in my yard that spent the winter shielded from the the weather behind a rock. I don't know anything about starting trees from seed and am unsure whether maples require different sprouting techniques or soils based upon their varieties. I would like to try my hand at growing this seed into a bonsai but, hesitate to take any steps that might be detrimental to the seed. I would appreciate any advice you could give me to enable me to give this seed the start it needs.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Carrie
AnswerCarrie, my only concern would be if this is a hybrid maple tree. Most plants sold today are hybrids. These are plants grown from two different species that produce offspring with characteristics from both. When you try and propagate a hybrid from seed, the resulting plant never bears the same genus as the parent plant. That is why it is best to leave propagation from hybrids to the breeders who specialize in grafting and other methods. In this case, if the seed fell from an older tree, it may be an heirloom. This genus will produce an identical replicate of the parent plant.
If you wish to proceed, start the seed in a 10" pot filled with a fertile potting soil. Place the seedling under fluorescent lights or in a window facing east. Only water when the soil is dry 2" below the surface. And be sure to fertilize once every two weeks at 1/2 the recommended solution on the package. Also, use a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium for good stem and root development.
Once the plant is 4 feet high, you can transplant it into the garden. Prior to transplanting, you must harden off the plant to acclimate it to outdoor conditions. This is necessary because it has been in a controlled environment indoors and needs to be introduced slowly to the changes in temperature, wind, sun, and rain. This process is accomplished by placing the young plant in a shaded or covered area for a few hours the first day to protect it from the wind and sunlight. A covered porch or a coldframe are both good options. Leave the plant out 6 hours the second day, 12 hours the third, and the entire day the fourth. Each day move it more towards the sunlight. The reason for this is to protect them from sun scald. You can then plant it into the yard 7 days after starting this process, assuming that all danger of frost has passed.
I hope this information helps. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.
Regards,
Mike
