The Japanese Maple is a small, deciduous tree with palmately lobed leaves. It is grown as an ornamental tree. Hardy in zones 5-8.
Growing Instructions for the Japanese Maple
The seeds have a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions and to break their dormancy at any time of the year. 1. Soak the seeds in water for several hours. 2. Put the seeds in a ziplock bag. 3. Put the bag in the refrigerator and leave it there for 4 months. 4. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Use a sterile seed starter mix, if available. It prevents soil fungi from damaging the seeds and the seedlings. If not available, then make a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. 5. Put the soil in a pot. 6. Sow the seeds 1/8 of an inch deep. 7. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. 8. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.