So 2 years ago I bought a bunch of japanese maple tree seeds and some shantung maple tree seeds. I planted about 10 cups of them, but none of them sprouted.
I didn't feel like waiting, so I then ordered a bunch of saplings online. Some of those saplings took, others did not.
Well now its the start of winter and I believe what I was told last year was that the maple seeds need to be out in the cold for a period of time to become ready to grow? Is that right? So should I just take all the seeds I have now and put them in a jar in my shed until spring, and then re-plant them and see if I can get some action?
In the end, I really want 3 of the shantungs and 3 of the japanese.
They need cold-stratification, yes. But are you saying you have acquired new seeds this fall, or are you asking if you should dig up seeds you planted 2 years ago? The ones from two years ago are gone, rotted.
If you have new ones, both planting them in the ground and leaving them in a shed will count as cold-stratification, but they should be left in a moist medium if you leave them in a shed (soil, sand, mulch etc.).
Also, the seeds from two years ago, did you plant those in fall or winter? If so, those were cold stratified, so that's not the reason they didn't sprout. Something else might be going on there.
I have a bunch of seeds left over from the two batches I bought, unplanted, still in their envelope.
I think I planted them in the spring the first time. Probably indoors by a window to get them started.
So how EXACTLY should I set up these seeds in my shed. I can put them in a jar. should I just put some wet papertowel in there? I don't have any dirt right now and the ground is frozen solid.
Not an expert on seed storage, but I think the seeds from previous seasons will have lower germination rates than seeds that came off a tree this year. Not that you shouldn't try,
You can put them between wet paper towels in a jar. Saw dust, sand, mulch, is also fine.