Acer circinatum |
Native Region: Western North America
Zone Range: 6-9
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; well draining humus rich soil.
Harvest Date: Sunday 11 September, 2011
Seed count: 15-20
Description:
This selection of Vine maple comes from Masset in the Queen Charlotte Islands. Lovely green leaves with multiple short serrated pointed lobes. About half of the resulting seedlings are red barked (others are bright green). There are occasional red leafed seedlings. Mature trees are multi stemmed with graceful twisted branching. Takes on a more upright tree like habit of 8 meters tall when grown in full sun and becomes lax in overly shady sites. Prefers evenly moist soil for best growth but tolerant of seasonal summer drought. Lovely bright fall colours of yellow to scarlet.
Notes:
Species looks very much like Acer japonica except the seeds of A. circinatum are 3x larger.
Cultivation:
Cold moist stored as all Acer seed loses viability when dry. Place seed in tepid water, sow immediately those that sink. Soak floating seed 12-24 hours until it sinks and sow immediately. Sow thinly at 6 mm deep in a sandy peat layer; tamp firm. Cold strafify for 60-120 days. Keep moist. Add a thin layer of fine mulch. Don't let germinating seed freeze, dry out, or migrate onto the medium surface as this is fatal. After cold stratification period is over, expose to spring conditions to promote germination. Good indirect light is best for seedlings. Protect seed/seedlings from varmits. I prick out seedlings when dormant and grow in individual pots for first 2-3 years for best results.
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