i bought acer rubrum seeds from sheffields.com in may 1st. I soaked them for 24 hrs, drained, and put all of them in a moist paper towel inside a freezer bag. I put the bag in the back of the fridge and its been 21 days and no signs of germination. the seeds are not dead because i cracked one open and it was completely green inside, with everything intact. I soaked them again in cold water for 12 hrs yesterday, drained them today, and put them in moist potting soil in a sandwich box with the lid on in the back of the fridge. What should i do? how do i deal with dry red maple seeds?

Hi, SoumilY, and welcome

I don't have any experience germinating red maple seeds, but according to this article, they apparently take quite some time 60-120 days). Hope this may help.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/...

That link is for Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), not red maple (Acer rubrum).

SoumilY, to this date you have done things right. Acer rubrum doesn't need a cold period if the seed is fresh and not dried, but yours is so, so far so good. Michael Dirr in his book, The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation, says you will need a short cold period (the fridge). He doesn't say how long. I would guess 40 days. If Scheffields says 21 days, I would go with that. The seed isn't supposed to germinate in the fridge. It sprouts after you bring it out and into warmth (50-70F). So after that recommended time frame in the fridge, you can bring it out and plant it, or leave the seed in the bag if you want to watch, but be ready to plant as soon as you see a root starting to emerge from the seed. Be vigilant. The longer you wait after a seed begins to germinate, the more difficult it will be to keep it healthy. Remember, even if a seed is just beginning to sprout, treat it delicately.

Thank you for that clarification @Leftwood. I definitely misread that!! Appreciate the additional information.