Maple is a chic tall tree, loved by many primarily for its amazing carved leaves and the chic crown formed by them.
Since ancient times, a maple tree occupying an honorable place among ornamental plants is especially beautiful in the autumn period, when the surrounding landscape paints with foliage of yellow and burgundy shades.
Maple you are my curly!
In its varieties, maple, repeatedly praised by poets and captured by painters, is diverse, so if you want to decorate the garden with such an original tree, there is always the possibility of choosing the most suitable variety. Of particular pride is the specimen grown by hand from seeds; moreover, this process is not particularly difficult and even a beginner can do it. How to grow maple from seeds at home? It is only worth considering that several varieties can grow from seeds: holly, Ginnala, green-bark and Tatar. The remaining varieties are propagated by grafting or grafting.
Maple Seed Description
Maple seeds ripen in August and crumble in the fall (but not always, they can hang on a tree for a long period). Therefore, they are quite easy to find in a heap of fallen leaves under the trees. In order to detect future planting material, you need to understand how maple seeds look. Externally, they are a flat double lionfish with two wings. The fruit consists of 2 parts, in each of which there is one seed: naked, with a large green germ. The fruiting of this chic tree, characterized by wind resistance due to the powerful root system, is plentiful and occurs annually.
By the way, in the genus of maple, there are more than 150 species that grow on different points of the planet and most of which originate from North America. Some of them are found even in the Northern Hemisphere and the tropics. The most valuable maple is sugar, it is found in the Great Lakes region and in Eastern Canada.
How to grow maple from seeds?
Maple seeds can be planted twice a year: in autumn and spring. If planting will be made in the spring, the material should be subjected to stratification, the action of which is aimed at simulating the period of winter dormancy in artificial conditions. For this, seeds should be created close to natural conditions and stored in a specially prepared, tightly closed container with wet sand, which is preferably placed in the refrigerator. The stratification period is approximately 100-120 days. Maple seeds, hardened in such conditions, remain valid for two years. In open ground, planting should be done in April-May. Acceleration of seed germination can be achieved by soaking them for 1-3 days in hydrogen peroxide. The first seedlings of the future tree will begin to delight after 15-20 days after planting.
Maple seeds can also be planted in open ground in autumn; the most successful period is as close as possible to the time of snow cover. In this case, planting material is in vivo and begins to sprout in the spring. When planting during this period, seed germination may be slightly lower due to severe frosts or little snowy winters. However, most often maple seeds are planted during this period.
Where to plant a tree?
When the maple seeds (the photo below shows one of them in an enlarged size) are ready for planting, you should determine the place of growth of this wonderful tree.
It is necessary to choose a sunny site, in its absence some shading is permissible. The soil is recommended fertile and loose. The soil before planting should be dug up, simultaneously fertilizing with a mixture of sand, peat and humus.
Landing Features
Maple seeds need to be planted 3-4 cm deep with the wings up. If in the future transplantation of young plants is not planned, then the distance between the trees should be maintained at least 2 meters. The emergence of seedlings occurs after 2-3 weeks from the time of planting. It is worth knowing that maple growth occurs at a slow pace: by autumn, the height of young trees usually reaches 20-40 cm, and in the first year of growth this figure reaches 80 cm. Care for young trees is simple and consists of timely watering, regular weeding and getting rid of the plant weed. On hot days, it is recommended to shade young trees from direct sunlight.
Depending on the size, young maple trees can be planted at a regular place of growth in 1-3 years. Landing should be done in pits dug in advance about a depth of about 70 cm, the width should be at least half a meter. When close to the surface of the soil of groundwater, the bottom of the pit should be covered with a 15-cm layer of sand or expanded clay.
Maple Seeds in Traditional Medicine
Maple seeds, photos of which are presented in the article, are effectively used in traditional medicine.
So, with colic and kidney disease, a decoction will help, for the preparation of which you need to pour a glass of boiling water, then insist on a water bath for about 40 minutes, a mixture of a teaspoon of seeds and two tablespoons of chopped leaves. Strain and take the composition 4 times a day, 50 grams.
Herpes and bronchitis are treated with infusion of maple seeds, a teaspoon of which is required to pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 30-40 minutes. Eat 50 grams 4 times a day before meals.
Planting maple from seeds is a long-term and justifiable contribution to the future of our own garden. Several generations of descendants will rest under the shadow of this chic tree.