A field maple hedge for free is within reach if you devote your gardening expertise to the seeds. These instructions will familiarize you with the skillful seed harvesting and professional sowing of Acer campestre.
How can I propagate field maple by seeds?
To propagate the field maple, you should collect brown-colored fruits in autumn, twist off the wings and soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours. Then cold blast the seeds in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks, then plant them in potting soil and keep them moist.
Harvesting and preparing seeds – This is how it works
In autumn the fruits ripen with two wings protruding to the sides. When the small propellers turn brown, this is the signal for the beginning of the seed harvest. It will not affect later germination if you only collect the fruits when they have already fallen to the ground. How to prepare the seeds:
- Twist the wings off the fruit
- Fill a thermos flask with lukewarm water or chamomile tea
- Soak the seeds in it for 24 hours
When you remove the seeds from the thermos, the sowing should already be prepared so that the seeds do not dry out again.
Instructions for sowing – cold stimulus overcomes germination inhibition
Field maple seeds are equipped with germination inhibition. In this way, Mother Nature protects the seeds from germinating in the middle of winter, which the tiny ones would not survive. A targeted cold stimulus under your gardening care overcomes this inhibition threshold. How to do it right:
- Fill a small freezer bag with potting soil, sand or vermiculite
- Slightly moisten the substrate with stale water
- Pour the soaked seeds into the bag, roll them up from the bottom and close tightly
- Store in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator at 1 to 4 degrees Celsius for 6 to 8 weeks
Check the seeds regularly for the beginning of germination. As soon as the germs sprout, the cold stimulus has done its job. Now plant the seedlings in a multi-pot growing plate no more than 1 cm deep in a mix of potting soil and sand. In a partially shaded, warm window seat, keep the substrate constantly slightly moist.
Your field maple seedlings are transplanted into individual pots when at least two additional pairs of real leaves have developed above the two cotyledons.
Tip
Sowing field maple seeds is the ideal project to introduce children to the joys of hobby gardening. Thanks to the rapid growth, the first results can be admired within a short period of time. In contrast to other maple species, Acer campestre does not contain any toxic ingredients.
