Seed Germination - HELPFUL TIDBITS

HELPFUL TIDBITS

To ensure you have success with your Bonsai seed germination, regardless of the method you prefer we have put some tips together to help you with the process:

• Remember that germination is not rocket science but an art that just requires common sense.
• If you plan to pre-treat your seeds, they love warm, environments and will do poorly in situations that are cold and wet.
• Do not become concerned if you notice some batches of Bonsai seeds sprouting before others – this is quite normal
• When germinating your seeds, especially using the cold stratification method, you need to keep everything sanitized. This means using sterile tools, soil, vermiculite, and so on.
• When using the cold stratification method, you need to be patient.
• Never over water
• If you want free Bonsai tree seeds, all you need to do is walk through your local park or neighborhood, collecting seeds right off the tree
• Keep in mind that all trees have special genetics. Therefore, if you choose to grow three elm Bonsai, you will have three different versions of the same species.
• If you plan to store seeds to be planted later on, place them in a plastic container with a good, solid seal, and then put them in the refrigerator

JAPANESE BLACK PINE SEEDLINGS
To give you an idea of the process for planting specific seedlings, we have chosen the Japanese Black Pine as an example. This tree is magnificent and strong. Because the Japanese Black Pine is so powerful and has a great spreading surface, this stable tree presents strong characteristics.

To start your Japanese Black Pine from seeds, you need to develop the spreading surface right after the juvenile needles have opened. The entire root structure needs to be removed, and then the shoots without roots will need to be treated. You will find that the new roots grow horizontally, making them easy to train.

You want to plant your Japanese Black Pine seeds anytime from late winter to early spring. Once you have growth, the roots will need to be cut off, using a very sharp blade. Make sure the cut is on the ends at the green portion of the shoot. Take this end and dip it in a good, rooting hormone. Now, you want to place the shoots in four-inch pots, using a light to medium granular soil.

It is important that the seedlings be protected from the sun, but just until the root is matured. Then to reduce problems with fungus, apply an organic fungicide. Additionally, keep the soil moist – not wet and not dry. Once your roots are fully formed, which usually takes about two months, fertilizer will need to be applied.


Bonsai Gardening Secrets

Bonsai Gardening Secrets - "Seed Germination"

"Bonsai Gardening Secrets"

Seed Germination

When it comes to germination, you will find that with Bonsai, you have two primary options. The first involves pre-treating the seeds, and then sowing them so germination is forced during the springtime. The second option is easier and more natural. This method consists of sowing the seeds into a mulched bed during the fall and then again, in mid-summer, without using pre-treatment, which helps the germination the following spring.

PRE-TREATING
With pre-treatment, also known as cold stratification, the seed’s state of dormancy is broken. When this occurs, the seed is more apt to germinate. By pre-treating the seeds, you are more or less helping the seeds reach a point of germination, which would be done naturally. The benefit however, is that you are helping the seeds germinate quicker.

When you apply pre-treatment in a controlled environment, which could be your own kitchen refrigerator, then the natural process is sped up but also, you are creating a more controlled process. The result is that more seeds survive and, you can control the time in which the seeds will germinate. If you choose not to pre-treat, then you leave everything up to nature.

If you choose to pre-treat your seeds, you will find that the longer the pre-treatment period, typically the more the germination rates after sowing are uniform. That means that of the seeds you germinate, the majority will sprout closer together, instead of spreading out over time.

COLD STRATIFICATION VS MOTHER NATURE
As you will see from the information below, the practice of seed germination isnot difficult and is very beneficial, especially when it comes to Bonsai.

Method One- Cold Stratification
Start by mixing your Bonsai tree seeds in a plastic, zippered bag with vermiculite that is moistened, making sure the soil is not soaked in that this can cause the seeds to become moldy and mildewed. Therefore, you would do better to be more on the dry side than the moist side.

If you discover your seeds are becoming moldy, then remove them and spray them with an organic fungicide mix. After being sprayed, place them in a new plastic, zippered bag with new vermiculite that is again slightly moistened. The seeds will then be returned to the crisper to complete the process.

Next, place this in your vegetable crisper in the refrigerator. Just make sure you use 20 times more vermiculite than you do the seeds. You will keep the seeds in this cold stratification, as recommended per species and then remove them. Now, plant the seeds in flats with quality soil where they will continue growing.

You should probably re-spray with the organic fungicide, and then allow the plants to grow outdoors where they will receive sunlight and good, fresh air. Keep in mind that when the plants are young, they will not do well in full sun so make sure they have partial shade. Some Bonsai plant growers feel strongly that giving the plants a couple hours of sunlight in the morning is best, then moving them to a strong shade thereafter to
grow a strong, healthy plant.

To germinate, most tree seeds only need about one-half inch depth. The only difference is that if you want to plant the seeds in a nursery bed, because they will be exposed to natural elements such as rain and wind, you should plant them a little deeper, averaging from three-quarter to one-inch deep.

During the fall and winter, you should add mulch around the base so the plant has additional protection but in the springtime, dramatically reduce or completely remove the mulch so the new seedlings can break through the ground without much effort. Finally, keep the nursery bed moist but never soaked. Additionally, you do not want the bed to dry out.

Method Two – Mother Nature
The second way to germinate your Bonsai seeds is to plant the seeds in a nursery bed. Some growers believe that pre-treatment is the best way to go while others feel the results from using nature to germinate are better. The one downfall to simply allowing Mother Nature to do her thing is that you do risk some consistency in that you are at the mercy of nature and have no control.

For this option, you will have the best results by planting the seeds in the spring so they can grow all summer long. For individuals living in regions that tend to have chilly springs, you can always place twigs or leaves around the base for protection. However, as mentioned you want to avoid using mulch in that it blocks new seedlings from pushing up through the
ground.

Another option is to grow your seeds during mid- to late fall, just prior to the first frost. If you prefer, you can start your seedlings indoors but for this to work, the seeds will need to have good light source and air circulation. If not, then you will find that plants are slow growing and when transplanted in the garden, do not do well.

For the fertilizer, you want to be careful not to go overboard. Your best option is to choose a good, organic fertilizer that has a mix of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Just remember that you only need to fertilize your Bonsai seeds once the weather turns warm or when they begin to show significant growth.

Bonsai Gardening Secrets