Tips on Germinating Seed

TreeBay

Here are some hints on germinating seed. _Seed is an inexpensive way to propagate plants. _A seed, just like a child, will take on some characteristics from each of its parents. _So, the seed may not be exactly like the parent plants. _Each year, new varieties of plants are discovered that have unique characteristics, some of these are considered desireable for bonsai purposes - small leaves, variegated foliage, dwarfish character, etc.

Growing plants from seed is slow, but it can be very satisfying.

OBTAINING SEED

When you are hiking or walking in the autumn, pay attention to the trees around you, because many of them will be setting seeds at this time. _ The seed may be developed in fruits, cones or pods. _Some trees release seed that can be borne on the wind for miles.

Seeds for conifers (cone-bearing plants) can be extracted from mature cones. _When cones are ripe, they open and you can bang the cones against the ground or pluck the ripe seed out with a pair of tweezers. _Acorns may be collected and planted much as they are.

For fruiting plants like persimmon and ume, _you can extract the seed or pit right from the fruit pulp.

Seeds of citrus plants like tangerine and kumquat need to be sown immediately after they are collected. _Some other seeds may be stored in a cool dry place.

If the seed has wings, like maple or pine you can generally remove the wings by rubbing the seeds together in your palms. _ Do this over a tray or shallow bowl, then blow the loose wings away.

There are a lot of commercial sources for seeds. _Look in bonsaiTALK Links under Suppliers->Seeds

PREPARING SEED

Soaking seeds for a day or so in slightly warm water will help to soften the seed coat and improve germination. _You may find that some of the seeds will float. _These can be discarded because they are unlikely to germinate.

STRATIFICATION

Some seeds require a bit of a nudge to coax the developing embryo into activity. _This process is called stratification. _ Each seed contains a dormant embryo and a food source, surrounded by a membrane called the seed coat. _This can be a paper-thin layer as in a maple, or a much harder coat as you'll see in oak acorns. _ _

You can help encourage the development of seeds of plants like oaks by scuffing the seed coat with sandpaper or just barely nicking it with a sharp knife. _Be careful not to go too far, or you could damage the plant inside.

Many seeds benefit from a period of cold stratification in a refrigerator. _Wrap the seeds in a damp (not wet) paper towel and place this into a plastic bag. _Put it in a cold area of your refrigerator (35-40 degrees) for a few months and then plant the seed in spring.

PLANTING MEDIUM

For seeds, we always recommend that you use a sterile planting medium. _Most commercial growing soils have been steam sterilized. _This is helpful in preventing an abundance of weeds or rot-inducing organisms.

For sowing seeds, you can use a commercial seeding mixture like the ones at www.charleysgreenhouse.com, or you can make your own from a mixture of sharp sand, vermiculite and peat. _Most conifers need very good drainage, so you'll want to use a higher concentration of sand.

SOWING SEED

The process of planting seed is called "sowing." _Seeds may be sown directly in the ground, in spare bonsai pots, nursery flats or styrofoam containers.

It is helpful to water the soil and allow it to drain before sowing seed. _This will prevent the soil from eroding when you water it the first time, which might cause your newly planted seeds to float away.

In general, the pointy end of the seed goes down. This is the end from which the root tip will emerge. _Sometimes the entire seed will be borne into the air on the growing stem.

PLANTING DEPTH

Don't plant your seeds too deep! _Usually a depth of 1 to at most 2 times the length of the seed is more than enough!

TIMING:
The best time to sow seed is in spring as soon as the danger of frost _passes. _You can sow seeds most any time, though. _ If you plant them in fall, don't expect to see much activity until the following spring. _If you sow them in summer, there is some chance that the plants might not mature enough to survive their first winter. _ But seeds are inexpensive, and some just might!



Some people use a Heated Seed Propagator, which may supply bottom heat, and also a cover which increases the humidity and creates a mini-greenhouse.

WATERING SEEDS:

It is very important not to overwater your seedlings. _If you do, they will likely rot. _The most common cause of the failure of germinating seed is called "damping off" _ Certain anti-fungal chemicals like Benomyl, or a copper-based funcgicide. can be used to treat the seed flats to help prevent "damping off"

Be careful when watering not to dislodge your soil mix. _The best way to water your seed flats is to place the entire seed tray in a shallow tray of water and let the soil soak up the moisture. _If you try to water with a watering can, or worse yet, a hose end sprayer, you'll be likely to wash the entire experiment away!

AFTER CARE

Once the seeds have germinated, you need to acclimate them to sunlight over a period of time. _Wait until you see two sets of leaves. _If you plant your seeds in individual seedling trays, you'll find it easier to separate and pot up the plants.

FEEDING:

Each seed contains its own food source, so you don't need to worry much about fertilization until a few leaves have developed. _ It's best to wait a couple of weeks and then begin with a mild solution of 1/2 strength fertilizer like miracle-gro.

TRANSPLANTING:

Seeds should be thinned out or they will compete with one another for light and nutrients. _You will need to continue to thin the seedlings as they grow.

FINAL COMMENTS:

Don't be discouraged if your seeds don't grow at first. _ You may be surprised next year to discover a second flush of seedlings. _Some seed gets old and may rot after planting. _ You can help to increase your odds of germination by stratification, not planting seedlings too deeply, and watching your watering practices.

QUESTIONS? _
Ask in the ***Propagation***

Selected Bibliography:

You can find more information in bonsaiTALK Links under Techniques->Propagation->Seed

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