brent, thank you for the thorough advice. i have always looked forward to
reading your postings for the past few years. although now i have a couple
of more questions:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brent Walston"
Newsgroups: rec.arts.bonsai
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 4:15 PM
Subject: [IBC] starting trees from seed


At 11:17 PM 2/15/04 +0000, peter wrote:
i collected a number of paperbark maple seeds (acer griseum) last fall
and
stuck them in the freezer over the winter.
i have a couple of questions about getting these seeds to germinate and
hopefully grow into trees (albeit small ones in a pot) in the future.
firstly, what is the ideal medium to sow seeds in?
i have previously tried peat pots but had no luck as it appears that
the
peat pots remained so wet that the seeds rotted.
secondly, when would be the best time to sow these seeds?

Peter

..

Next, soak the seed overnight in warm water (it doesn't have to stay
warm).
Rinse and repeat this process one or two more times. Drain off all the
excess water. Mix the seed with an equal amount of DRY vermiculite. Put
the
mixture in a ziplock bag and then in the refrigerator (NOT freezer). Keep

have i destroyed these seeds by overwintering them in my freezer? even if
they were in a plastic bag?

it there for 3 months. Take the seed out and sow it. The medium doesn't
make a lot of difference as long as doesn't stay too wet. I sow Acer seed
in my regular bonsai mix. Do this outdoors under bright light, but not
direct sunlight (if you have sunlight up there). I place the see on top of
the soil, lightly press it into the mix, then just barely cover it with a
little bit of finer mix or vermiculite or peat moss, enough to keep the
seed moist.



should i begin this 3 month process right now or wait until next year with
another batch of seeds that have been properly prepared?
if i place the seeds in the fridge for 3 months i will not be sowing them
until almost june which seems rather late in the year to me. i can always
collect some more seed next fall and begin the process in the manner you
recommend, but i would still like to attempt with the seeds i have.
btw, i have never had any success with propogation from cuttings with acer
griseum and i was wondering if you had any advice for rooting from cuttings.
thanks for all the help.
peter