AusBonsai

Hi All,

Just preparing to begin looking at stratification and stratification of my maple seeds and black pine seeds.

Just curious what everyone uses as a soil mix when they cold stratify?

I am thinking just peat moss and vermiculite to use on both types of seeds.

After stratifying I'm not sure what soil mix to use. Any thoughts?

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Hi AndrewAustralia,

I t really depends on how cold it gets at your place. Definitely not cold enough here, so I stratify.

For japanese and trident maples, I follow method #3 from httpss://japanesemaplelovers.com/growing ... from-seed/ except that I only soak for 24hrs.

For JPB, Ryceman3 has documented his method which seems like it worked very well viewtopic.php?f=131&t=25843#p257028

Hi,

For maples - similar to terryb above: for trident or Japanese maple seeds I soak for 48hrs, mix seeds with damp (not wet) sphagnum, seal in a zip-lock bag and put into the fridge. Nearly like clock-work, it takes about 90 days before seeds start to sprout like alfalfa - then remove from bag and carefully plant into soil mix. I always note the date of soaking on the bag with a sharpie so I know when to expect sprouting, and need to prep my planting pots - it is surprising how reliable this method is.

For JBP I just soak and plant - never have needed to stratify.

If you are in a cooler area just plant the seeds in potting mix and leave the pot outside where it will be exposed to frost over winter. Fresh seeds germinate much better than older, stored seed. A lot of stored maple seed won't germinate, even after the best stratification so if you've purchased seed don't be surprised if germination is poor.
Mould can be a problem with fridge stratification. Sanitised media and water will help reduce the chances so boil the water and let it cool before wetting. Microwave any peat, perlite or sand you use in the bags (take care with sand in the microwave - can get hot enough to melt plastic containers) or sanitise everything with bleach or hydrogen peroxide before it goes into the bag.

After seeds start to germinate plant them into whatever potting mix you usually use. Premium mix is usually better than cheaper but if you have a favorite that works use it. Seed raising mix is OK but has almost no nutrients so you must fertilise regularly to keep them growing well.

I have had about 95% success with no mix for pines. Just chuck them in a glad bag and put in the fridge once they come out the water

were did you get the jbp seed from ?

Not trying to hi-jack but similar info required. Be similar process for radiata pine seeds? Still soak and stratify or just soak and plant? Anyone done these? Do now or wait until late winter to plant?
Cheers

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P. radiata is a temperate climate species. No need for seed stratification. Just sow seed in your preferred potting mix and wait for germination. Or go out near a pine forest and dig up wild seedlings to save a year or 2.

I agree with Shibui.
I have never stratified pine, trident or maple seeds and get very high germination rates.
I think they germinate if they are fresh enough.

I do soak the seeds and discard any that floats after a day.

Thanks all for the responses. If I were to put JBP in soil after soaking what I do that now in the cold winter? Or wait until august/September?

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AndrewAustralia wrote:If I were to put JBP in soil after soaking what I do that now in the cold winter? Or wait until august/September?

I wait until Aug/Sep before soaking and planting.

Aug/ Sept sowing is good but you can sow now if you like. If winter is cold the seed may not germinate until warmer spring comes. If it starts to germinate now the seedlings seem to be hardy enough to cope with our mild winters.

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All done!

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Do those bags on the left say blue maple? If so they are not a real thing