Acer Palmatum from Seed

[RobertB]

Another batch potted up today, along with half the batch i planted from the fridge bag that had not germinated yet. These were simply dumped in a large tote, with sphagnum and all and lots of cool looking seedlings ended up sprouted but have not grown well as they stay very wet in the soil they were in. Decided to plant as many as possible to try to keep them from death.

Total lot potted up today. You can see the flat in the back right where i was only able to pot about half of them before i ran out of cheap pots.



Here is the batch from the trough that seemed like they were close to death as most were not growing and just staying to wet.


Here that last batch of the plugs. Planted all at an angle to try and set a good trunk angle from the beginning or at least close to the beginning.



A shot from the other direction of the plug plantings.



A close up.



Here are some along with some seedling bald cypress and chinese elms, along with some quince cuttings that i have moved to more sun and got fertilized today.




The last batch that were potted up in my last post. They are in my shade bench getting ready to for more sun. You can see some on the top right (some more just out of view) that got a wiring job this week, these have been the most vigorous of all the seedlings.

 

[clem]

Very nice Young trees

 

[RobertB]

Trees are coming along pretty good. I've lost a few but overall pretty good succes. I wired about 15 seedlings today. A little hard to bend close to roots (most haven't filled in current pot enough). Will probably access and if needed plant out at angle this spring (at least vigorous seedlings will get some root work this spring).

 

[Paul F.]

I have about 10 seedlings that I germinated a few months ago and they seem to be doing pretty good especially since I live right on the ocean, literally, like 100 feet from the ocean. I always loved maples but since I live in the Florida Keys, I thought maybe its just wouldn't work out zone wise.. I tried it anyway. 15 of the 25 seed germinated but I only have 10 left. The other 5 I lost early - within the first week, damp off and such. The rest are thriving and growing well.

Questions:

Chance of survival in zone 11b? less than 50%?
if by chance they do live, do they do their winter time dormancy thing even if it never gets cold? The coldest it gets here is around 60-65 degrees.
Are there any maple species that can tolerate the conditions of where I live? I know most maples are good until about zone 8 and just from a quick google, I really dont see any that specify a higher zone.

PS Dont mind the Brazilian Ironwood seedlings. They are just trying to fit in with the maple crowd.

Thanks!

Questions:

 

[AlainK]

Chance of survival in zone 11b? less than 50%?

I wouldn't be too optimistic, especially since you live by the sea : not sure they like salted winds.

There are some Acer species that grow in semi-tropical, or hot climates that are non-deciduous but they're hard to find.

 

[miker]

Acer palmatum will not survive in the Florida Keys. Trust me.

 

[Paul F.]

Acer palmatum will not survive in the Florida Keys. Trust me.

I know you're right- sucks though. I really like em'

 

[Paul F.]

Acer palmatum will not survive in the Florida Keys. Trust me.

I did find this:

"Maples are often thought of as a northern tree, loved for their spectacular displays of changing leaves in the fall. Did you know that there are two species of maple trees that will actually grow well here in Florida? The native red maple (Acer rubrum) and Florida maple (Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum) can be grown in the Sunshine State."

But I dont think they include the Florida Keys in Florida .. lol...

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I did find this:

"Maples are often thought of as a northern tree, loved for their spectacular displays of changing leaves in the fall. Did you know that there are two species of maple trees that will actually grow well here in Florida? The native red maple (Acer rubrum) and Florida maple (Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum) can be grown in the Sunshine State."

But I dont think they include the Florida Keys in Florida .. lol...

Maple cellar!

 

[Gustavo Martins]

I have about 10 seedlings that I germinated a few months ago and they seem to be doing pretty good especially since I live right on the ocean, literally, like 100 feet from the ocean. I always loved maples but since I live in the Florida Keys, I thought maybe its just wouldn't work out zone wise.. I tried it anyway. 15 of the 25 seed germinated but I only have 10 left. The other 5 I lost early - within the first week, damp off and such. The rest are thriving and growing well.

Questions:

Chance of survival in zone 11b? less than 50%?
if by chance they do live, do they do their winter time dormancy thing even if it never gets cold? The coldest it gets here is around 60-65 degrees.
Are there any maple species that can tolerate the conditions of where I live? I know most maples are good until about zone 8 and just from a quick google, I really dont see any that specify a higher zone.

PS Dont mind the Brazilian Ironwood seedlings. They are just trying to fit in with the maple crowd.

Thanks!

View attachment 209933View attachment 209934Questions:

I don’t know long term but I’ve got palmatum maple and it’s been fine for the past 2 years. It sheds leaves in late December and resumes growth late February. I live in the same 11 zone.

Give it shade

 

[Paul F.]

I don’t know long term but I’ve got palmatum maple and it’s been fine for the past 2 years. It sheds leaves in late December and resumes growth late February. I live in the same 11 zone.

Give it shade

That’s encouraging! I don’t have them in full sun now.. just 2 or 3 hours in the morning and then bright shade all day long. I’m worried about the salt air. Thanks for chiming in. It gives me a little hope..

 

[BillyBonesBonsai]

Loving this thread, I myself had planted some tridant maple seeds and had one survive so i put it in a pot. Im brand new to growing from seed so excuse my ignorance

 

[Paul F.]

Loving this thread, I myself had planted some tridant maple seeds and had one survive so i put it in a pot. Im brand new to growing from seed so excuse my ignorance View attachment 210380

Excellent...

 

[BillyBonesBonsai]

Excellent...

I believe it is stunted already, so im just going to let it grow into the pot and keep it alive

 

[miker]

I did find this:

"Maples are often thought of as a northern tree, loved for their spectacular displays of changing leaves in the fall. Did you know that there are two species of maple trees that will actually grow well here in Florida? The native red maple (Acer rubrum) and Florida maple (Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum) can be grown in the Sunshine State."

But I dont think they include the Florida Keys in Florida .. lol...

Yeah, I don't believe any of the FL native maple species are native to the Keys. You could try a South Fl ecotype Acer rubrum.

Acer palmatum, nope. I have seen a few decent looking ones in Gainesville though, and a bunch of healthy specimens in Tallahassee. There is a nursery north of Orlando that always had a few bloodgood Japanese maples. They never looked very good though.

 

[RobertB]

I think its borderline growing them in my climate which is basically zone 9.

 

[Paul F.]

Yeah, I don't believe any of the FL native maple species are native to the Keys. You could try a South Fl ecotype Acer rubrum.

Ive been doing some research and there is this https://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/acer-saccharum-subsp-floridanum

Its basically a southern sugar maple but it says it not "salt tolerant". Thats a big one for me since I live 100 feet from the ocean. Im definitely going to try the Acer rubrum as you suggested.

 

[miker]

Ive been doing some research and there is this https://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/acer-saccharum-subsp-floridanum

Its basically a southern sugar maple but it says it not "salt tolerant". Thats a big one for me since I live 100 feet from the ocean. Im definitely going to try the Acer rubrum as you suggested.

The Florida sugar maple is native down to some isolated spots in colder areas of Central Florida. Big difference between there and the FL Keys in terms of chill hours (the FL Keys essentially average none in a given winter).

Don't know about the salt spray issue. I would certainly try it in coastal areas of Central FL north.

 

[miker]

If I wanted a maple bonsai (small size best) and lived on one of the FL Keys, I would refrigerate it from May to September, and grow it the rest of the year, when temperatures are warm, but not as hot day and night. I have no idea if the salt spray on a small island would allow for it, but I saw maples near the shore in Provincetown, MA and you would think they must get some year round salt spray.

 

[Paul F.]

If I wanted a maple bonsai (small size best) and lived on one of the FL Keys, I would refrigerate it from May to September, and grow it the rest of the year, when temperatures are warm, but not as hot day and night. I have no idea if the salt spray on a small island would allow for it, but I saw maples near the shore in Provincetown, MA and you would think they must get some year round salt spray.

THats an awesome Idea..I have a fridge under my house. I guess I can make room - Ill be loosing beer space though.. LOL

Do you water in while its in the fridge?