Germinate maple seeds

Overcoming germ inhibition - this is how it works with cold

The seeds more numerous Maple species are prevented from germinating in the midst of ice and snow by a natural inhibition threshold. Only when the seed has been exposed to a cold stimulus for several weeks, followed by milder temperatures, will germination begin. Aim for the propagation of a maple by means of sowing you can deposit the seeds in the garden and wait, or you can follow these instructions to specifically overcome the inhibition of germination:

• Soak the seeds in lukewarm chamomile tea for 24 to 36 hours beforehand
• Fill a plastic bag with wet sand, Lava granules(€ 14.00 at Amazon *) or potting soil
• Fill in the soaked seeds and close the bag tightly
• Store in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks at - 1 to + 4 degrees Celsius

After the cold phase, sow the seeds in individual compartments of a multi-pot plate. We recommend commercially available substrates as substrates

Potting soil or potting soil emaciated with sand. Put a seed no more than 1 cm deep in the soil. Then spray the seeds with room temperature water. In the partially shaded, warm location, the first seedlings are not long in coming.

Always disinfect the substrate

Seeds and seedlings are vulnerable to diseases and pests. The pathogens often lurk in the substrate. By disinfecting the potting soil beforehand, you avoid the risk of infestation from this source. You can do this very easily by placing the moistened soil in a suitable container in the oven for 30 minutes at 150 to 180 degrees top and bottom heat.

Gibberellic acid accelerates germination

Thick-skinned maple seeds find it difficult to germinate despite the cold stimulus. These unwilling candidates will get you going with gibberellic acid. Gibberellic acid is a purely natural growth hormone that occurs in the seeds and sprouts themselves. The product is available from specialist retailers and online shops. How to use the maple seed germination accelerator:

• Stir 0.1 ml of gibberellic acid into 5 ml of pure alcohol (e.g. B. Alcohol or isopropanol from the pharmacy)
• Add 95 ml of room temperature water and stir well
• Let stand for 60 minutes

Fill the seeds into a coffee or tea filter and hang it in the solution for 12 hours. Then sow the seeds. As a rule, stratification in the refrigerator is not additionally required for the seeds to germinate.