How to grow red maple on the plot

Tips on how to grow maple from seeds at home

Maple is considered one of the most beautiful trees.
Poets sang about it, painters wrote about it, and an image of its carved leaf is on the flag of Canada. Amazingly beautiful maple leaves of different colors delight the eyes of passers-by. red leaf maple

Ripening, collecting and preparing seeds for planting

Different maple species reproduce in different ways. This can be cuttings or grafting, seeds. Maple seeds ripen in August, and they begin to fall to the ground with the onset of autumn. Those who want to grow a maple tree with their own hands need to collect them by finding them among the fallen leaves.

The maple seed looks like a double flat lionfish with a pair of wings. The fruit itself consists of two parts, where each seed is bare and contains a large green embryo.

Today there are about 150 species of maples, most of which are native to North America. Maple feels good both in tropical areas and in northern regions. Maple seeds are planted both in spring and autumn. To plant them in the spring, they are prepared in the fall, creating an artificial winter for them by placing them in the refrigerator in a container with wet sand. Under these conditions, the seeds can be stored for up to two years. With the onset of spring, from April to May, the seed can be planted in the ground. Before planting, it is recommended to soak them in peroxide for two days, so they will germinate faster, in about three weeks.

When planting in autumn, choose a place on the site that is quiet and sunny, dig a hole 70 cm deep and 50 cm wide. A sand-peat mixture mixed with soil from digging is introduced into this hole. The seeds are planted to a depth of four cm and with their wings up.

The seedling grows slowly; at one year of age the tree can reach a height of 80 cm. The seedling requires good watering. A handsome tree grown from a seed will create excellent shade with its chic crown and a place to rest, and the seeds and leaves will help in the treatment of kidney diseases and colic, bronchitis and herpes, etc. Maple has positive energy, and growing it from a seed is a long-term investment for descendants.

Sugar maple

According to biologists, for normal growth, maple seeds for planting must be taken either local or from a similar climate, planted in light loamy soil, watered and protected from the north wind.

Description of culture

There are about 150 species of crops in the maple family, and red maple belongs to them, the planting and care of which has its own peculiarities. The tree is named so for the color of its leaves. There are several varieties, including Japanese red maple, Shirasavi, fan-shaped (palm-shaped).

Due to the large amount of anthocyanins and carotenoids in the biochemical composition, the leaves are colored in the following tones:

These colors look especially unusual in combination with gray tree bark.

The ornamental plant has earned respect for its interesting crown (round, mushroom-shaped and oval), unusual leaves reminiscent of lace gloves, rich color from spring to autumn, gray bark and fascinating falling branches with foliage.

Red maple is unpretentious in planting and care and relatively hardy. But he doesn’t like temperatures below -15, scorching sun rays and drafts. It is believed that an area shielded from the wind with dark lighting will be an ideal place for planting the crop.

Excessive watering is also not suitable for red leaf maple. Under poor planting and maintenance conditions, the root system deteriorates, and the attractive crown falls off ahead of time.

What methods are there for growing seeds?

Cold stratification method

Many types of maple are grown from seeds using this method. These include maples:

American
Japanese
Norwegian
large-leaved
sugar.

Seeds that are not spoiled or rotten are selected, and dried ones are pre-soaked.

Thanks to this method, the seeds germinate quickly enough. For the seeds you will need a small plastic bag filled with growing material consisting of sand, peat moss or vermiculite or paper. To prevent fungus, it is advisable to have sterile material. To moisten, add a little water to the sowing mixture. And to prevent mold, you need to add just a little fungicide.

Next, the seeds are packaged in 25 pieces in a bag, which needs to be tediously ironed with the palm of your hand to remove air and closed with a zipper. The bags are placed in the refrigerator, where they are kept at a temperature of 1 to 4 degrees Celsius, which promotes germination. Some species are quite picky and a temperature difference of a couple of degrees will negatively affect the growth of seeds. For example, an American maple seed feels comfortable at +5 degrees, and red maple seeds need +3 degrees.

Most types of seeds are kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 months, but large-leaf maple needs 40 days. Every fourteen days, the bags should be checked for excess or lack of moisture, the presence of mold, etc. When growth begins, the seeds are removed from the refrigerator. Sprouted seeds are planted in moist soil to a depth of 1.5 cm. To ensure that the sprout takes root, the seeds can be planted temporarily in a tray.

Cold and warm stratification method

This method is well suited for mountain and Asian species with a very hard shell that requires treatment in the form of an incision, soaking in peroxide, and warm water. For two months, the seeds are stored at a temperature of 20 to 30 degrees. Next, the seeds are subjected to the above-described cold stratification method.

Growing maple seeds directly in the soil

In some types of maples, for example, silver maples, seed shedding occurs at the beginning of the growing season. These seeds do not hibernate and do not need additional care. You need to plant the seeds almost after collecting them and they will germinate quickly. Planting involves placing the seeds in moist soil mixed with fallen leaves without additional care.

Some seeds may not grow in the first year of planting, but will germinate only the next year. If a small percentage of seeds germinate, there is a chance that they have been spoiled. In this case, it is advisable to plant new ones.

A maple grown from seed can grow up to 30 meters tall.

Having decided on the desired type of maple, we purchase or find and collect the seeds ourselves; now growing maple from seeds at home will not be difficult for you. Fortunately, our country has a large selection of varieties of this fabulous tree.

The grown tree will delight you and then your grandchildren!

Red maple

An old maple tree knocks on the window, waving its leaves in a welcoming manner, inviting my friends and I for a walk. It’s so familiar and familiar – “helicopters” and greenish-yellow crumbling flowers in the spring, the gentle shadow of green giants in the summer and a riot of colors in the fall. And like a break in the pattern, like a mockery of the very concept of “green spaces”, a cheeky and categorical chord in the calm harmony of lard is red maple.

Beet red, fiery, orange-scarlet, pink-plum - all the colors and shades of what we habitually and routinely call red are mixed in this amazing gift of nature.

Red maple, or red-leaved maple, is one of more than one hundred and fifty species of plants belonging to the maple family. The red maple comes from Southeast Asia and has gained particular popularity in Japan, where it grows not only in open ground, but is also successfully cultivated in pots and grown in tubs to decorate verandas, terraces and balconies.

Under the common name red maple, or Japanese red maple, there are several types of maples with characteristic leaf colors. The most famous of them are Japanese red maple, Shirasavi maple and palm maple (fan maple or palm leaf maple).

Red maple owes its beauty and exotic leaf color to the special biochemical composition characteristic of these trees. In addition to chlorophyll, which is known to provide green pigmentation, red maple has many carotenoids that produce yellow, red and orange colors. In addition, the plant’s cell sap contains a lot of anthocyanins, which color the foliage in purple and carmine colors, so beautifully in harmony with the gray tint of the tree bark.

The crown of red-leaved maples is usually found in a round or oval shape, sometimes in the shape of a mushroom. The cut finger-like leaves look like lace gloves. Everything about this plant is decorative - the foliage, which changes color from spring to autumn, the silver-gray bark, and even the thin branches with leaves that have fallen in winter.

This beautiful, highly ornamental plant is very hardy, but it does not like direct sunlight, drafts and frosts below -15 degrees. The ideal place for a red maple in the garden is a sheltered area from the wind with mosaic lighting.

Red maple plantings are used in “mountain” gardens, where they harmoniously combine with dark perennial conifers. At the foot of tall varieties, reaching a height of four to five meters, perennial flowers that do not require bright lighting are planted. The umbrella crown creates a cozy shadow in the relaxation corner, beautifully contrasting with the greenery of plants typical of the middle zone.

Choosing a location on the site

Next, you need to decide on the area where you plan to plant this amazing plant. The most suitable habitat for maple seedlings is open sunny areas. In the absence of a lighted area, light partial shade is permissible in the first years of the maple’s life.

As for the soil, it is preferable that it be fertile and loose. Therefore, before planting, the soil should be loosened, making it homogeneous. In addition, it is recommended to fertilize the garden soil with a small amount of a mixture of sand, peat and humus.

If groundwater flows near your garden plot, then a 10-20 cm layer of drainage made of sand, crushed stone or expanded clay, approximately 15 cm thick, should be laid at the bottom of the planting hole. Drainage will significantly improve the drainage of unnecessary liquid.

Preparation for cultivation

There is no one universal method for growing maple. Species that shed seeds in spring and early summer germinate easily. But some are so capricious and demanding that even experienced gardeners cannot grow this tree in 30-40% of cases.

Suitable species

About 150 varieties of maple are known. Therefore, before cultivating, it is necessary to decide on the type of tree.

North America is home to most varieties. Sugar maple, which grows in Canada and the Laurentian Great Lakes region, is considered the most valuable species.

Site selection

Then you need to select the area where you plan to grow the tree. A sunny, open area is the most suitable place for this. Light partial shade is acceptable in the first years of maple growth.

It is better to cultivate maple in loose and fertile soil. Therefore, before planting, the soil should be dug up and loosened, making it more homogeneous. It is also recommended to fertilize the area with a mixture of humus, sand and peat.

If groundwater flows nearby the plot, then drainage will be needed. A drainage layer of crushed stone, expanded clay or sand is placed on the bottom of the planting hole in a layer of 10-15 cm. Drainage helps to avoid stagnation of excess liquid.

Collection of raw materials

Propagation by seeds is the most affordable way to grow maple. The seeds ripen at the end of summer and begin to fall in early autumn. The seeds are collected on the ground under the maple tree, among the fallen leaves. Even fallen “helicopters” are not immediately suitable for landing. Planting material is subjected to artificial rest.

If you don’t want to collect the seeds yourself, you can buy raw materials in special stores . There are various varieties of maple presented there. For example, red, blue, blue, which were bred as a result of breeding work.

Growing maple trees through seeds is a labor-intensive process that will take a long time. Planting from cuttings is a faster way to grow this tree.

Seed stratification

Under natural conditions, maple seeds ripen in August, fall in the fall, and begin to sprout in the spring. Based on these natural cycles, stratification must be carried out. Let's consider the nuances of cold and combined techniques.

Cold

The stratification procedure (“stratification”) allows for rapid germination of planting materials. The point of the cold method is to maintain the hibernation phase in an unnatural environment, after which the plant begins active growth in nature. The method is suitable for most varieties of maple. American, Norwegian, Japanese, large-leaved, sugar and some red species hibernate in winter, and sprout when warmer weather arrives.

For all the above varieties, grains are placed in the ground in the fall or December. If your tree loses lionfish in the spring or June, germination should be done in the ground. If you plan to sow grains in open ground, use the cold method 90-120 days before the severe cold weather subsides.

So, let's start with cold “layering”:

Add a handful of peat moss and vermiculite to small plastic zip-top bags. To prevent fungal penetration, wear disposable gloves and use only sterile, clean material.
To slightly moisten the planting material, pour in a few drops of water.
If desired, you can add a little fungicide. This will protect the seeds from damage by mold. To prevent seedlings from suffering from an overdose of fungicide, add very little of this substance.
Distribute the seeds into bags (20-30 samples each). In order to remove as much air as possible from the bag, carefully smooth it with your palms. Seal the bags carefully.
We have come to the point of direct seed stratification. For this purpose, the seeds must be kept in the refrigerator at a temperature of 1-5 ° C. It is this temperature that promotes the germination of seeds of most species.
Once every 8-15 days, check the bags for condensation, mold or other undesirable phenomena.
Keep the bags in the refrigerator for 40-120 days. Most varieties require 90 to 120 days to germinate. Seed germination within 40 days is rare - this is typical only for large-leaved and some other forms.
As soon as the grains begin to sprout, remove the bags from the refrigerator.

Warm and cold

For grains that are particularly difficult to germinate, a combined (warm and cold) “stratification” method is used. The essence of the method is to expose planting material to alternately warm and low temperatures. This technology is required for mountain and Asian varieties. Paper, curled and striped varieties have difficulty germinating and need extra care. This also applies to most other varieties from Asia, as well as rock and mountain wood. All grains of this group ripen in the autumn or winter season. By simply remaining in the ground, seeds can only germinate years later.

Many of the listed varieties have a very hard pericarp (shell), requiring certain processing. Professional gardeners often make “cuts” on the pericarp, which significantly enhances shoot growth. It will also help to process the base of the seeds (opposite the wing) with a small file (stop immediately as soon as you reach the base, slightly opening the shell). In addition, it is practiced to soak planting materials in hydrogen peroxide for several hours, after which they are washed well. Or you can soak the lionfish in warm water for a day.

To further soften the dense shell and awaken the embryo, keep the seeds for one or two months in a warm room (at a temperature of 20-30 ºC). Inaccuracies in the timing are due to the lack of thoroughly studied data on the seeds of each specific maple species.

Next, we subject the grains to cold “stratification.” To do this, the planting material must be packaged in plastic bags with a zipper (about 20 lionfish in each), adding a small handful of peat moss or other fertilizer that promotes germination. Transfer the bags to the refrigerator. Every two weeks, inspect the bags to ensure there are no signs of mold or drying out inside.

Most grain varieties require a minimum of 90 and a maximum of 180 days to germinate.

Maple propagation

New maples can be propagated by seeds or green cuttings, and decorative species should be propagated by grafting. Growing new maples from seeds is considered the most effective. Moreover, the seeds of such varieties as holly, Tatar, greenbark, ash-leaved remain viable for two years, and there are species whose seeds must be used within one year.

Fallen seeds of maples growing in natural conditions in winter are independently stratified, and then germinate independently in summer. But when breeding domesticated plants, longer stratification is required at a constant temperature of 3-5 degrees Celsius. Experts recommend maintaining the following deadlines: for Norway maple - 110 days, Tatarian maple - 100, greenbark - 120, ash-leaved - 40 days.

Before sowing, all seeds must be soaked in hydrogen peroxide for 1–3 days. Then the sprouted seeds at the end of April or the beginning of May should be sown in prepared beds to a depth of 4 centimeters and wait 2 - 3 weeks for their germination.

During the first year of life, shoots can rise 50 centimeters or more. As the seedlings grow, they need to be weeded, loosened and watered regularly. In extreme heat, it is advisable to protect young plants from the sun. After 1 – 3 years, you can safely transplant the seedlings to a permanent place of residence.

To propagate decorative maples, you should use grafting on maples of the same type as they are: cuttings or buds. Alternatively, a decorative form can be grafted onto wild Norway maple rootstock. The height of the trunk ranges from 50 cm to 3 m. It is most favorable to carry out vaccinations in early spring, before the start of sap flow.

Maple diseases

Like all living things, maple can be susceptible to diseases and harmful insects, which include: coral spot, maple whitefly, maple mealybug and leaf weevil.
Coral spotting manifests itself in the appearance of burgundy spots on the bark and the death of branches. Affected branches must be removed immediately, and the cut areas should be treated with garden varnish. Moreover, gardening tools should be disinfected to avoid the spread of the disease.

To treat maple whitefly, you need to spray its larvae with ammophos, remove and burn dried branches and leaves. In order to prevent maple mealybugs, it is necessary to spray the tree with a solution of 3% nitrafen before buds open, and if the maple is affected by the leaf weevil, it should be treated with chlorophos. Also, young plants are at risk from various rodents in the autumn-winter period, so you should worry in advance about means of protecting plants from unforgiven guests - insects.

Japanese maple

One of the most beloved species by gardeners is the Japanese maple. A fairly compact tree with a lush crown, magnificent autumn color and an unusual shape of pointed leaves (three-, five- or seven-pointed) from very small to palm-sized. Many species dress up in dark red foliage not only with the onset of autumn, but also dress like this throughout the summer. However, to maintain such a beautiful, rich color, the maple must grow in good light and direct sunlight, as a lack of sunlight can cause the leaves to remain green and not turn red. Particularly popular are dwarf varieties of Japanese, which will perfectly complement even the smallest garden plot.

The Japanese maple only needs pruning of dead or broken branches. There is no need to carry out corrective pruning, since the main beauty of the plant lies in its rounded crown, pruning which can only spoil it. If after a while the crown needs to be adjusted, then to do this it is enough to shorten the branches, maintaining the desired shape, adhering to the principle - do no harm.

Maples are not always large deciduous trees, but among them there are also varieties such as low shrubs and evergreen specimens. Also, their main beauty is the leaves - they are quite diverse in shape, size and color - from white to dark chocolate.

If you decide to choose maple for your garden plot, then among the existing variety you can choose your own unique tree. Lovers of something unusual should take a closer look at the snakebark maple. These trees look quite exotic thanks to their emerald trunks, covered with gray or white longitudinal stripes and leaves that do not look like the usual maple trees. Looking at them, you lose touch with reality and it seems that you find yourself somewhere in the fairy gardens of Japan.

Maple in the garden landscape

Maples are versatile trees that do not require much trouble and do not create problems. Plants are famous for their positive energy, they exude tranquility, for which they are especially revered by lovers of wildlife. It is difficult to imagine today's landscape design without slender maples topped with a beautiful crown in colorful autumn decoration. Maples perfectly complement evergreen spruce trees; they look good against the backdrop of tall, dense shrubs, as a hedge with other trees, or as a solitary tree. Maples are considered the leaders among all green spaces, providing cool shade in hot weather. Thanks to their dense crown in the shape of a ball, pyramid or other, they are regulars in parks, squares, alleys and various green areas.

All over the world, maple is quite widespread and popular. The most famous Norway maple in Europe differs in the shape of leaves, flowers and fruits from 150 species of the genus, and in addition to all its positive qualities, it is a long-liver and lives 200 - 300 years, having the largest distribution area. The maple from America is called American or ash-leaved for the similarity of the leaf shape with the leaves of ash, and its distinctive feature is its unpretentiousness and the ability to quickly spread to new territories. Appearing in Europe about 200 years ago, it grows from the extreme south to northern latitudes. The national tree of Canada is the sugar maple; its leaf adorns the country’s coat of arms and national flag. Canadians care for and protect their national heritage and constantly plant new lands with maples. And although the maple leaf is a symbol of Canada, the largest variety of maple species grows in China.

The handsome maple is glorified in songs, epics, poems and always evokes sympathy as a positive and courageous character, and a beautiful tree planted on your site can become a worthy decoration for many years.

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Maple, you are my curly one!

Maple, repeatedly sung by poets and captured by painters, is diverse in its varieties, so if you want to decorate your garden plot with such an original tree, there is always the possibility of choosing the most suitable variety. Particularly proud is a specimen grown with one’s own hands from seeds; Moreover, this process is not particularly difficult and even a beginner can do it. How to grow maple from seeds at home? You just have to take into account that several varieties can grow from seeds: holly, Ginnala, greenbark and Tatarian. Other varieties are propagated by grafting or cuttings.

Maple propagation

Maple diseases

Like all living things, maple can be susceptible to diseases and harmful insects, which include: coral spot, maple whitefly, maple mealybug and leaf weevil.

Coral spotting manifests itself in the appearance of burgundy spots on the bark and the death of branches. Affected branches must be removed immediately, and the cut areas should be treated with garden varnish. Moreover, gardening tools should be disinfected to avoid the spread of the disease.

Japanese maple

Description of maple seeds

Maple seeds ripen in August and fall off in the fall (but not always; they can hang on the tree for a long period). Therefore, they are quite easy to find in a heap of fallen leaves under the trees. In order to discover future planting material, you need to understand what maple seeds look like. Externally, they look like a flat double lionfish with two wings. The fruit consists of 2 parts, each of which contains one seed: naked, with a large green embryo. Fruiting of this luxurious tree, characterized by wind resistance due to its powerful root system, is abundant and occurs annually.

Seed preparation

For normal seed germination, it is necessary to prepare them by subjecting them to stratification. This tree naturally drops its seeds in the fall, and they undergo natural stratification. Its time for maple seeds is 120 days.

At home, people use cold, warm and combined stratification methods. Cold - the seeds need it for ripening. The seeds are placed in warm water to soak and then placed in the refrigerator. In this way, natural temperature differences are simulated.

Warm - used to “awaken” seeds. The seed is kept for several days in damp cloth or other moist substrate at a temperature of 30–35°C. For maple seeds, a combined stratification is used, in which the seeds are left in a cold room and placed in warm water before sowing. Then they are disinfected with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate to prevent fungal formations. The disinfection process takes 10–15 minutes.

How to grow maple from seeds?

Maple seeds can be planted twice a year: in autumn and spring. If planting will be done in the spring, then the material should be subjected to stratification, the effect of which is aimed at simulating a period of winter dormancy in artificial conditions. To do this, the seeds should be created in conditions close to natural and stored in a specially prepared, tightly closed container with damp sand, which should preferably be placed in the refrigerator. The stratification period is approximately 100-120 days. Maple seeds hardened in such conditions remain valid for two years. Planting in open ground should be done in April-May. Seed germination can be accelerated by soaking them in hydrogen peroxide for 1-3 days. The future tree will begin to produce its first shoots 15-20 days after planting.

Maple seeds can also be planted in open ground in the fall; The most successful period is as close as possible to the time of snow cover. In this case, the planting material is in natural conditions and begins to germinate in the spring. When planting during this period, seed germination may be slightly lower due to severe frosts or little snow in the winter. However, maple seeds are most often planted during this period.

Further care

Maple is an unpretentious plant, but the young tree still needs some care. Timely irrigation and fertilizing of the soil are the main components of care. The maple tree tolerates lack of moisture well, but to form bright foliage it must be watered periodically. It is necessary to water not often, but not infrequently, so that the soil never dries out. In the summer, about 2-3 buckets of water are poured under the young bush. Irrigation is carried out less frequently (once a month) in autumn and spring.

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Landing Features

It is necessary to plant maple seeds at a depth of 3-4 cm with the wings facing up. If there are no plans to replant young plants in the future, then the distance between trees should be maintained at least 2 meters. The emergence of seedlings occurs 2-3 weeks from the moment of planting. It is worth knowing that maple growth occurs at a slow pace: by autumn the height of young trees usually reaches 20-40 cm, and in the first year of growth this figure reaches 80 cm. Caring for young trees is simple and consists of timely watering, regular weeding and ridding the plant of weeds. On hot days, it is recommended to shade young trees from direct sunlight.

Depending on the size, young maple trees can be planted in a regular growth location after 1-3 years. Planting should be done in holes dug in advance, about 70 cm deep, and the width should be at least half a meter. If groundwater is close to the soil surface, the bottom of the hole should be covered with a 15-centimeter layer of sand or expanded clay.

Planting care

Seedlings obtained from seeds are subjected to root pruning at the age of 3 months - the main rod is shortened by 2/3.

Blue and blue red maples develop in the same way as green ones: replanting of each type should be done in the spring with an interval of no more than 2 years. Each time the soil is completely changed, the central and lateral roots are cut by 20%.

The shoots are pinched after 2-4 leaves have formed.

When the plant reaches a height of 10 cm, it is transplanted into a regular pot, preferably a ceramic one.

In late spring and early summer, bonsai are fertilized with special fertilizers.

Maples love shade, so they should not be left in the open sun. The composition should also not be exposed to large temperature changes.

Maple seeds in folk medicine

Maple seeds, photos of which are presented in the article, are effectively used in folk medicine.

Herpes and bronchitis are treated with an infusion of maple seeds, a teaspoon of which needs to be poured with a glass of boiling water and allowed to brew for 30-40 minutes. Take 50 grams 4 times a day before meals.

Planting maple from seeds is a long-term and worthwhile investment in the future of your own garden. Several generations of descendants will rest under the shade of this luxurious tree.

Soil and container

To grow Japanese maple from seeds, you need to prepare the soil and choose the right container.

For cultivation, a nutrient substrate is used, which is called akagama (in nature, such soil is found in one of the Japanese prefectures). The bonsai substrate should:

retains moisture well;
be loose so as not to impede the access of oxygen to protect against soil acidification and root rotting;
contain sufficient nutrients.

It is prepared by mixing humus, alumina and sand in a 1:1:1 ratio. The second option is better suited for deciduous trees, which include blue maple: turf soil and sand in a ratio of 7:3.

The sand used is coarse-grained river sand.
The soil for cleaning is passed through a large sieve.
The prepared mixture should be disinfected by heat treatment, heating in a frying pan or in a water bath. An alternative to this is to freeze the substrate and then thaw it, which will also ensure disinfection. Then the substrate must be dried and sifted through a sieve again. To disinfect the soil, purchased biologically active preparations “Fitosporin” and “Barrier” are used, treating the soil mixture with which will destroy insect eggs and fungal spores.
After the disinfection procedure, fertilizers are added. To plant seeds, use a wide container of small depth (up to 5 cm) with the obligatory presence of drainage holes.
The container must be thoroughly washed with a product containing non-aggressive ingredients. Scald with boiling water, destroying possible presence of fungal spores and bacteria. Let dry thoroughly.

Read also: Growing Manchurian walnut: planting and care - Landscape design

Seed planting technology

To plant, a fine mesh is placed at the bottom of the prepared container so that dry soil does not spill out through the drainage holes. A substrate with large particles is poured onto the mesh, and then a layer of finer soil, so that 3 cm remains to the top edge of the container.

Seeds are laid out on the surface; if there are a lot of them, a distance of 1 cm is maintained between them.
Then each seed is pressed down with a rounded wooden plank and sprinkled with a small layer of sand or earth. The top layer is also compacted.
The soil needs to be moistened, the container covered with glass or film until shoots emerge and placed in a dark place.
It is necessary to constantly maintain the soil moist and the optimum temperature not higher than 15°C.
When sprouts begin to appear, the glass is slightly shifted and holes are cut in the film to allow fresh air to enter.

Tatarian maple

Acer tataricum L.

It is very similar to the previous type, but is more drought-resistant; cracks appear on the trunks in damp places. Like the riverine one, it dies in the shade.

Seedlings of pre-winter sowing appear consistently and uniformly in the first year.

PK164 Tatarian maple Acer tataricum L., seeds from Krasnoyarsk

PK238 Tatarian maple Acer tataricum L., seeds obtained from Agbina

Next year:

PK164 Tatarian maple for the second summer after sowing

More…

Palm maple

Acer palmatum Thunb.

I haven’t found any data on the winter hardiness of this maple in Siberia, but it is clear that it is not frost-hardy even in central Russia. However, maybe it will at least grow as a multi-stemmed bush?

The seeds sprouted in the second summer after winter sowing:

PC38 Acer palmatum Thunb.

Maple Semenov

Acer semenovii Regel & Herder

According to T.N. Vstovskaya, in many cities of Siberia, annual and perennial shoots of samples freeze slightly and there is no fruiting. However, in some places, for example, in Tomsk, Semenov’s maple bears fruit. Which gives reason to hope for the possibility of its adaptation; the situation does not look hopeless.

My seeds were sown before winter, shoots appeared in the first year:

PK357 Maple Semenov Acer semenovii Regel & Herder

PK357 Semyonov maple shoots from seeds

Field maple

Acer campestre L.

Tested by Z.I. Luchnik and her colleagues in Gorno-Altaisk and Barnaul, the field maple froze to the snow line in severe winters, but during periods of milder winters it managed to grow and even bear fruit. This creates some hope. The best preservation under the canopy was also noted.

With standard winter sowing, it sprouted in the second year. The first few leaves of seedlings are not at all similar to the leaves of adult trees:

PK36 Field maple Acer campestre L. from Omsk

However, growing up in the first summer, small field maples become like “themselves” by autumn:

PK36 Small field maple

The field maples woke up quite early after winter and tolerated spring frosts well. By July they looked like this:

PK36 Field maple for the second summer after sowing

Norway maple, sycamore

Acer platanoides L.

According to T.N. Vstovskaya, throughout Siberia the tested samples turned out to be non-winter-hardy, bear fruit weakly and rarely, freeze to the snow line or root collar, and do not reach normal height or full development. However, the experience of Z.I. Luchnik in introduction with obtaining samples of the first, second, third local reproduction showed the prospects of working on this maple; each subsequent generation turned out to be much more stable than the previous one. However, the first samples were grown from seeds of far from the best geographical origin. I sow seeds collected in the coldest parts of its range; I see the point in working closely with this highly decorative species. It would be desirable to obtain seeds from trees of the latest generation obtained by the Research Institute of Horticulture named after. Lisavenko...

I sow the seeds in the fall in the seed beds; in the spring of the first year, seedlings appear in the garden bed:

Grown seedlings on the seed bed:

PK190 Norway maple Acer platanoides L. from Omsk

Then the seedlings were picked into separate packages:

PK190 Norway maple seedlings on a container platform

For the second summer:

PK190 Norway maple for the second year

Rules of care

The container with the sprouts is transferred to a bright place, removing the glass, and placed out of direct sunlight. The best option is partial shade. The soil is periodically watered and fertilized once a month in small portions. When the seedlings get stronger and grow up to 10 cm, they are planted in separate containers - bonsai pots (usually ceramic). The shape and size of the bonsai tree depend on the desired shape of the crown of the future tree. An oval, rectangular, round, or polyhedron-shaped vessel is suitable. It all depends on the chosen bonsai style:

cascade type of crown - tall narrow pot;
sloping crown - stable, wide;
dense crown - flat, wide;
The crown is of considerable height - not wide and deep.

The main requirement for the container in which the tree will grow is good stability. The color of the container is chosen to be calm and dim, this will emphasize the sophistication and beauty of the plant. You have to constantly take care of the maple. Strong humidity at low temperatures and poor flow of fresh air will lead to fungal infections. You should be very careful about watering. The small volume of the bonsai pot leads to distortion of the shape of the roots, which reduces the effectiveness of watering. When growing bonsai, watering is used by irrigation (from a special kettle) or immersion (the bowl is placed in a container of water for a short time). For irrigation, it is advisable to use rainwater or tap water that has stood for two days.

Without proper and timely care and watering, the roots quickly die and the entire plant dies.

The second condition for successfully growing bonsai is feeding, especially when the crown is forming. Once every twenty days, fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are applied. Nitrogen is needed for the growth of leaves and branches. Potassium fights harmful microorganisms. Phosphorus promotes the formation of buds, the development of the root system, and acts as protection against infections. Maple requires iron; this should not be forgotten when preparing nutrient soil. A mandatory additive is a clay substrate for bonsai, which strengthens the root system. Indoor bonsai are fertilized throughout the year.

Greenbark maple

Acer tegmentosum Maxim.

Z.I. Luchnik writes the following about testing this species: “This characteristic representative of the shady and damp forests of the Far East is not suitable for growing without a canopy, in open places. In trees of both samples, originating from the southernmost part of the Primorsky Territory and almost from the northern border of the range, only the ends of the shoots froze by 5-30 cm, rarely or individually up to 50 cm. But the trunks and branches, covered with thin and rare beautiful bark, green with white stripes and suffered from severe sunburn. The buds on the burned side of the branches died, after which the trunks had to be cut quite low. Burns were especially worse when there was a lack of soil moisture.”

T.N. Vstovskaya also mentions that she sometimes suffers from late spring frosts. In the list of cities in Siberia where introduction work was carried out, the results of this work look ambiguous. Somewhere the greenbark maple even completely freezes out, but the phrase “after 3 years of testing” confuses me - what kind of test is this, three years. This is not a test, this is pampering... It also remains questionable under what specific conditions the samples froze, which is also important for correct conclusions.

I sowed green maple before winter. Some batches of seeds sprouted in the first year, some in the second, although they were sown in exactly the same way. I still don’t understand what it depends on; experiments are needed. In general, germination rate is not too high. This is what young shoots look like:

PK72 Green maple Acer tegmentosum Maxim. from Primorsky Krai

PC350 Green maple Acer tegmentosum Maxim. from Birobidzhan

Seed germination in soil

You can start by growing seedlings from seeds in a tray indoors or planting them outside after the frost has subsided.

If you want to protect the plant from possible natural troubles, find out why soil mulching is needed.

In room

In an unnatural environment (indoors), grains are planted in trays to a depth of 2-3 cm with the wings facing up. If you do not expect to replant young plants in the future, then you need to keep a distance between seedlings of at least two meters. However, it is still preferable to plant lionfish at a closer distance - you will have the opportunity to select the best specimens and plant them outdoors. Planted grains need to be watered. In the future, make sure that the soil is constantly slightly moist.

Shoots should appear within 14-20 days from planting. Keep in mind that maple grows relatively slowly: by September the shoot height will be 20-40 cm, and in the first year of life the young plant can stretch up to 50-80 cm in height.

Did you know? The maple leaf on the Canadian flag symbolizes the unity of the nation. Initially, the maple leaf symbolized all the children of emigrants.

On the street

A method of germinating trees with seeds is also practiced, in which they are planted outdoors in the autumn. In this case, the seeds spend the entire winter season in a natural environment close to them, and in the spring they begin to germinate. However, due to severe frosts or snowless winters, the germination rate of planting material here will be somewhat lower.

Depending on the size of the seedlings, they can be transplanted to a permanent place after 1-3 years. When planting single seedlings, the distance between them should be 2-4 meters. If you plant a hedge, then the distance can be reduced to 1.5-2 meters.

Suitable plants for forming a hedge include: white dogwood, viburnum leaf, chokeberry, spirea, lilac.

Planting is done in pre-dug holes approximately 70 cm deep and at least half a meter wide. The composition of the soil should be similar to the substrate that was used to germinate the grains. It is preferable to add organic fertilizer to the soil, for example, compost or humus.

Place the substrate in the form of a slide at the bottom of the hole, and “seat” the seedling on top, straightening its roots. Then fill it with soil so that the root collar is located no deeper than 5 cm under the soil.

After seed germination, further care of the seedlings is not particularly difficult.

To improve the health of your maple and direct its growth in the right direction, learn all the features of pruning trees in spring, autumn and summer.

Sugar maple

Acer saccharum Marshall

According to sources, it is not winter-hardy in Siberia. My seedlings were obtained by sowing before winter, but germination was extremely low, presumably due to frost damage to the seeds. 50% of the resulting seedlings overwintered. The second summer they looked like this:

PK91 Sugar maple seedling in the second year after sowing

River maple

Acer ginnala Maxim.

Freezing of shoots occurs at a young age, but growth continues. Weakly shade-tolerant, dies in dense shade. Z.I. Luchnik recommends it for bright and fairly humid places.

Photo of seeds:

PK651 Seeds of ginnal maple, riverside

Shoots appear in the first spring after winter sowing.

PK321 River maple Acer ginnala Maxim.

Falsebold maple

Acer pseudosieboldianum (Pax) Kom.

Z.I. Luchnik writes that in the harshest winters, the trees of this maple froze to the level of snow, but this rarely happened. Maples growing under the canopy had much better growth and less damage.

For such “dwellers of the shadow”, it is necessary to initially select suitable conditions and plant them under the protection of large trees.

My winter crops sprouted in the second summer:

PK78 Acer pseudosieboldianum (Pax) Kom.

Manchurian maple

Acer mandshuricum Maxim.

According to information from Z.I. Luchnik in Gorno-Altaisk, it was very cold, the burns in the lower part of the trunk were especially dangerous. The specimen grown from seeds of Ural origin grew best.

Seedlings appeared in the second year after winter sowing in the beds:

PK347 Manchurian maple shoots from seeds

bearded maple

Acer barbinerve Maxim.

According to Z.I. Luchnik, bearded maple is more winter-hardy than false siebold maple or Manchurian maple, but requires protection of the forest canopy. In winter, young shoots are damaged and trunks become burned. Leaves suffer from late spring frosts.

Bearded maple shoots appeared from seeds in the second year after the sowing:

PK250 Bearded maple shoots from seeds