So I’m going to give growing from seeds a go. I’ve got some cherry Sakura, small leaf maple, red maple and cedar. Am I about right with the scarification and satrification times below.. will satrificate in the fridge as I’m in the uk and temps are between 6-10 degrees c at the moment.
Cherry Sakura 90-120 days 24-48 hrs warm water
Maples 60-90 days 24hrs
Cedar 30-60 days 24 hrs

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Fun project, for the next 10~20 years.
Being in the UK, I would sow them directly and leave them outdoors until Spring, when they should sprout naturally.
But the times in the fridge seem right to me. Take care so they don't get fungus while in the fridge. Too much humidity will cause mould.
Good luck!

Thanks for the advice? Appreciate it! I know how it’s a long old slog to get them to training stage but it’s all good fun. I have some plastic tubs (think Chinese takeaway tubs) that I’ll use. Will keep the lid on but with plenty of holes to allow air to circulate do you think? Or cover with something else?

I've been succesfull in stratificating the seeds in the fridge before. I've put them in wet paper towels and then in plastic bags. It worked great. I did that with apple seeds and acorns. I didn't have any fungal problems

Vali wrote:

I've put them in wet paper towels and then in plastic bags. It worked great. I didn't have any fungal problems

Yes, that is my experience too.
I leave some openings in the plastic bags (ziplock type) and it works.
Maples start to show some roots while still in the fridge.

I used normal bags. I even folded them so that water couldn't leak out of them and make a mess in my fridge. The air couldn't circulate in the bag. I had no problems at all.

I also have Japanese maple seeds. So you guys say that you put the seeds only (ie no soil at all) on some wet paper towel and then in a zipped bag in the fridge?
I put my seeds just yesterday in the fridge in a tiny transparent bag (looks to be airtight) as they came from the vendor. I didn’t open the bag, I haven’t put anything else together with my seeds.
I leave in London, UK. Do you think planting the seeds in a pot sometime in spring would work please? Any ideas how long to keep the seeds in fridge?

Many thanks

All that matters, in my opinion, is that the seeds keep moist and cold. I think you can use anything that keeps the moisture. I use paper towels because it does the job. Also, the paper towels unfold easily so I can check if the seeds sprouted, without hurting the offshoot. I think you can plant them after you see that they sprouted. Every tree is different. Maybe your japanese maple seeds need different treatment than my apple seeds and acorns. Look on the internet for specific information about japanese maple seeds. I'm sure you will find enough. Again, I am not a proffessional, I just told you what and how I did that.

I think you are overthinking this.

I personally never understand why people who live in a teperate clime put seeds in a fridge. Sow in late fall, early winter. Put outside. Wait. Seed germinate in spring. No guessing, no "ventilating". No mess in the firdge.

Just protect your pots from rodents (I have a bunch of old brick on top)

leatherback wrote:

I personally never understand why people who live in a teperate clime put seeds in a fridge. Sow in late fall, early winter. Put outside.

Neither do I.