I guess you're stratifying them outdoors? I'm so used to everyone using the fridge that I got confused - but if they've been outside, continue to leave them there as it will get cold, and unless they've already sprouted, they should be fine. I'm still confused I guess... when were you planning on planting them (anywhere)? How long have they been in cold strat?

heh, yeah they are cold stratifying inside right now as seeds. And I was planning on putting them in a hydroponics seed tray w/ heating mat until they sprout and outgrow the tray, then put them in flower pots to start maturing.

My concern is when they are seedlings, and it no longer gets cold enough here for them to go dormant. Being a maple, they are supposed to be wintered outside (from what I've gathered). No cold winter = no winter dormancy for it...and from reading other threads, if a plant misses too many winters it will grow weak and die. I'd rather just not plant them if there isn't a way I could simulate winter for them indoors.

OK, I get it now :-). Don't worry about them being indoors this season, seedings do need protection (as they're not buried under debris, leaves, etc. outdoors as they would be if growing there naturally). Just take care of them inside til after the last frost has passed in late spring, and plant them out somewhere with a little protection from wind and in filtered sun or even light shade. Keep them well watered out there and they'll be fine. Don't use pots, as they'll mature and fatten up (as much as acers do!) much faster in the ground - find a somewhat gritty place for them vs. a cultivated flower bed which may not drain well.

eck.
I mean like, if it doesn't get cold anymore here. Our winters have been warm the past few years. I was reading around and it said that maples need a winter dormancy period. I'm not talking about them as seedlings. I'm refering to once they have matured and then need their winter dormancy period.

And by the way, should I plant my ficus trees outside? I have a ficus religiosa and a willow leaf ficus.

I wouldn't put your ficus outside until your weather is CONSIStently the same as south Florida's. They are absolutely tropical and you can't take chances with them. Your maples will manage for this year, and as for next (and the ones after that), trees may be the least of your/our worries! Global warming is a reality, and many things are going to change, but the transition is going to be chaotic to say the least and no one can predict what's going to happen when anymore.

Hmmm, Global warming is something to think about, I wonder if these outdoor trees will adapt to the smaller dormancy period.
You are right it seems, as with the animal world(poor Polar Bears), it is anyones guess.

Hi, I am new to this forum.
I read somewhere that chilling period varies from 200 to 800 hours of cold depending on the genera. The cut off temperature is 7 degs Centigrade, anything in the range of 0 to 7 degs C can be counted as the chilling time. It is not necessary to go below freezing point nor does a subzero temperature shorten the chilling period for the specific plant.
Thus in most temperate regions in this continent, the winter is sufficiently cold to provide the deciduous effect unless you are in warm temperate regions like South Florida or California.