Japanese Maple

Hi all,
I am currently trying to grow from seed.
I bought a pack of 5 seeds on eBay and are proving a nightmare to get them to germinate.

The pack came with instructions, which I followed to the letter. I put them in a ziplock back covered with soil and placed in fridge in mid February at 5 Deg C, see attached link:

20 Seeds Japanese Maple Tree sky blue bonsai rare plant for home Garden(JPN7) | eBay

Almost 2 moths later I have nothing.
This must be the third or fourth time I have tried to grow these - without success, and am getting increasingly frustrated.
I am desperate to get one of these blue ones up and running. I want something that nobody else has got on my estate.

If any other member has managed to germinate these I would appreciate your advice.

Rgds

Michael.

 

I am sorry to say Michael but they is no such thing as a blue Acer . It a common thing on ebay for selling plant seeds for something that doesn't exist blue roses , they quite possibly are acer seeds but I 100% guarantee its not blue. The main culpit is China for selling these fake goods, I know its say Harlow on the location but that means nothing it could easily be where they are disrupted from are its just a lie

 

Hi, very interesting. Apparently the seeds need 90 days stratification and will germinate when finally taken out to room temperature. So there is still hope!

If nothing happens, the seeds could be old- this site looks reputable place to buy replacements. Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) seeds

Unfortunately Perki is right, the eBay pictures are computer coloured and do not show what the plants will look like. However, growing anything from seeds is always fun. And not too expensive as a hobby either.

There are some good plant and seed sellers in eBay, small nurseries and private gardeners. I'm suspicious old hag so usually contact the seller before buying anything. The speed and language of the reply tell a lot.

Good luck with the seeds Michael!

 

I bought some seeds a few years ago from a reputable company but I can't remember which one it was now, think it may have been T&M! Gave them to my mate as I didn't have the time to grow them and he got quite a few to germinate and gave a few away, I think. They're not all acers, though. Maybe T&M will have some back in soon, you could leave your email with them and get notified when they restock, certainly worth a go at £5 for a pack of 75 seeds.

Bonsai Trees (Mixed) seeds | Thompson & Morgan

Nick

 

BINGO!
Check this out. I left the zip lock bag in the fridge for a total of 3 months, took it out and two weeks later, on my south facing window sill a couple have germinated.
It's a bit difficult to see from the image but one is about 1" tall and the other about 2.

Now, what do I do?
Shall I keep the bag zipped and leave them for a bit longer, or should I chance my arm and try to pot them.
I could keep them in the bag for a while but unzip it and see what that does.
I'd be mortified if they were to die after all this.
Shame it won't be blue though.

If/when I get both of them growing well I will donate one of them to any member who can come collect. Hows that?

Rgds
Michael.

 

Hi all,
Please see attached image of my Japanese Maple. It is now about 4" tall.
The other one I have is about 5" tall.
True to my word, I will be offering the smaller of the two to any member who would like to come and collect.
Please bear in mind that, at this stage, they are very flimsy and have to be propped up. There is no chance I can post this.
Please contact me if you are interested.

Also, please note, that when I bought the seed from an eBay seller they were advertised as being bright blue. I was advised by other members that that would never be the case. So god knows what colour they will turn out.

Rgds

Michael.

 

Hi Michael, I'm pretty sure that is not a Japanese maple.
My guess would be some kind of conifer or possibly just a heather seedling.

 

I actually just looked the bonsai mixes up again. T&M are still out of stock but another reputable company (at least I THINK Chiltern Seeds are reputable) are selling around 250 for £3.95! Worth a go for that if anyone's interested IMHO.

Bonsai Mix Seeds £3.95 from Chiltern Seeds - Chiltern Seeds Secure Online Seed Catalogue and Shop

Nick

 

Hi all,

Please see attached images of my (what I thought was) a Japanese Maple.

I have been informed that it is not a Japanese Maple, instead, some kind of connifer.

Please advise what exactly this is if you can. They seem to be groing well on my south facing window sill. However, they are still extremely flimsy and have to be propped up.

There is a link in my earlier posts illustrating what I thought I had bought.

Rgds

Michael.

 

I think they are definitely conifers ,but at that early stage it's pretty much impossible to say what kind.

Personally I'd be trying to hardened them off to out door conditions, before the winter comes.
I think the smaller one of the two could be planted slightly deeper, it might be a bit more stable then.