What must be done to a seed before it can germinate?

Question

like a japanese maple or peach seed

Answer 1

Different seeds need different conditions to germinate.

A lot of Japanese maple seeds are sterile and never germinate. They often have to be exposed to frost over the winter to get started. Check around your Japanese maple and you will probably find some seedlings already growing.

Peach -- crack the stone gently and put the seed in a pot and hope... I have never had any luck with peach stones, but I know some people have.  

Answer 2

nothing i just wet a sponge and put my seeds in there till they sprout