How to pot japanese maples grown from seed

In this guide we will show how to pot japanese maples grown from seed. We propagate japanese maples from seed every year so we have plenty of new plants to use as rootstock to graft japanese maple cultivars.

There are several people that propagate Acer palmatum by cuttings, we prefer to do it by seed. In fact, these seeds germinate very easy if you follow the steps in our seed germination guide. If your seeds are of good quality, the stratification in the fridge will make them sprout like magic!

But this guide is not about the germination.

Get the seedlings tray

One year has passed and we have one of our last containers with some seedlings ready to be picked.

Seed tray with some seedlings germinated 1 year ago

Prepare the new pots

Before we begin to dig the plants, we prepared the pots where we will plant them. We use a universal potting soil mixing some coarse sand to improve drainage.

Pots are ready to receive the little plants

Dig the seedling

Now we have the pots ready, lets dig some plants. With the help of a tool like a shovel or a stick (don’t look to the rush), we try to lift the plant with some soil in the roots. The more soil we get stucked in the roots the better.

Dig the seedling

Plant the seedling

As you can see in the picture below we were able to get some kind of small root ball. Gently put it in the new pot and cover it with new soil.

Plant the seedling

Little japanese maple in the new pot

Water and protect

Finally, water the new plants with a thin watering can that simulates a smooth rain. Place the plants in a protected place, away from direct sunlight, wind and rain. In a couple of weeks they should have been grown enough to move them to full sunlight.

Water the pots and protect from the elements

The seeds in this tray were sown last year. Some of the seeds are germinating right now, one year later. They needed another year to fully break the dormancy. Take this in consideration when your seeds don’t germinate in the first season. Maybe they just need another year sleeping.

Some seeds are germinating after 2 years

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