Japanese maple seedlings

[EdinN]

Hello gardeners
I cold stratified japanese maple seeds. Kept them in plastic bags for a few months, then put them in soil last month and they are doing fine.
I made that 3 years ago but during summer they all died.
I know its crucial to keep soil moist and get them sun untill noon and later put them in shade.
My worry is they will get too leggy then dry out.
Plase some advices..?
Hardiness zone 7a,b (Bosnia, southeast Europe)

 

[cpp gardener]

Your plan sounds good. Just watch carefully when they're outside. That would be a good time to just mist them so they stay moist without drowning them.

 

[Anniekay]

I wouldn't put them in the ground for at least a year. If you successively pot them on into bigger and bigger pots as the roots fill up in the smaller pot, after a year you should have a plant big enough, with a big rootball that can sustain the tree.

 

[EdinN]

Thanks for your support. Im just affraid to kill them again.
I guess my biggest mistake on my prevoius seedlings that i left them on afternoon sun and maybe lack of moisture.

Lack of sun = too leggy
Too much sun = burnt seedlings

Really delicate situation

 

[Anniekay]

Thanks for your support. Im just affraid to kill them again.
I guess my biggest mistake on my prevoius seedlings that i left them on afternoon sun and maybe lack of moisture.

Lack of sun = too leggy
Too much sun = burnt seedlings

Really delicate situation

Yes, but remember that japanese maples are understory trees and dappled shade all day is what they like. Too much sun, even if it's just morning sun, will stress them and scorch the leaves.