Daphne, I have grown Japanese Maples from seed and I did just that - except I used paper towels and left them in the fridge for 3 months. Don't know if they need to be kept cool that long, but it worked fairly well. I seem to remember I had a germination rate of just under 50%.

thanks lilli, now all i have to do is wait 'til it produces seeds. there's only one left of the 6 (brought appox. 20 in our move from north to socal) that i want to propagate. the maples all have a very difficult time here, and they don't always produce flowers in the spring. plus, there's been a decline of honeybees (so @iciris suggested i act like one ). i am taking barbara's advice if they bloom. thought i would try (to act thusly as a bee) with one of my sable watercolor brushes.

This was the post I was referring to on how to grow Japanese Maples to Daphne:
https://garden.org/thread/view...

Then there is another thread on Zinnas where someone said to "be the bee" which is what be do with irises.

Evelyn, thank you for the acorn!

Barbara ~ You are
"Be the bee!"

I just got this announcement from the Santa Rosa Iris Society. It sounds so interesting - but it's too far for to go, and we have other commitments. I'd love to have a mini-seminar here on the forum, with members who've been judges and photos to show what the judges are looking for in tb and median irises and discussion.

"On Saturday, January 20, 2018 we'll have two Judges Training (JT) sessions in conjunction with the Sydney B. Mitchell Iris Society winter potluck
· At 11:15 a.m. Riley Probst will give 1 hour JT on Miniature Tall Bearded (MTB) irises
· At 1:30 p.m. Jean Richter will give 1 hour JT on Judging Historic Irises in Shows.
Where: Lakeside Park Garden Center at Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland. Expect to pay $5 for parking at the gate.
When: Doors open at 11:00 a.m. We'll eat at 12:15 p.m.
What to bring: Local attendees bring a hot dish to serve 8-10. Those from a distance bring an appetizer, salad, or dessert. The society will furnish the main dish, rolls, and coffee. Bring your own table service including cup/glass and napkins, a serving utensil, and your Judges Training Manual."

I know there is literature available, but it would be fun to have a group seminar.

Since we live in a cold winter area we let nature do its course & put the seeds in a pot outside in a trench in Oct. They germinate sometime in May. I think if I had to use a refrigerater or had to soak etc., I never would have started hybridizing. Good luck CA people.