Seedlings 101

Daniel

I'm really interested in finding more information on the entire process of growing bonsai from seedlings. I'd love to find some online reference/tutorial somewhere that can show me stages. Maybe we need a chat about this?

Most importantly I want to know how to find seeds/planting material. My Junipers dont seem to have seeds. How do I create junipers from seeds?

I want to know what steps I can take before planting the seeds to enhance their success.

I also want to know what steps I can take when planting the seeds to make them more suitable as bonsai later.

What steps should I be taking when they start to sprout.

And finally when they start to get a bit of a basic tree form, what steps can I take (and when) to ensure good trunk shape later on?


Looking around my city (Seoul, Korea) I see a lot of huge tall trees, some smaller ones. But they also seem to go straight up and dont appear to have any interesting trunk line whatsoever.

I'd love if someone could point me to as much information regarding this as possible. Information about growing from cuttings would also be just as useful.


(PS - I see the Bonsai Propogation forum down below but I seem unable to create this thread there - is this normal? In any case, could I maybe get some exposure in this, the general forum, before my thread is moved to a less-trafficked area of the site? Just a small request, no big deal Treebay/mods)

Advertisement

TreeBay

Daniel, I get the idea that you are enthusiastic about this project! I have seen you raise this same topic a few times already***. A lot of this is going to take some practice and experimentation on your part.

You are asking the right questions, but they cover a wide range of species from infancy through refinement. It's a bit much to ask anyone to answer in a general way.

1. Juniper seeds form in the bluish "berry." There is some info here on collecting and growing them:

http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/forestry/g380.htm


2. You might wish to experiment with a couple different kinds of media, but do use sterile media for planting. You will see various cutting mixes sold in various combinations of sand, peat, perlite.

The chief danger to seedlings is rotting before or shortly after germination. You can reduce the risk of that by not overwatering (water from beneath by soaking the tray for a couple minutes. Mixtures high in peat may help reduce the condition of seedling death called "damping off". Bottom heat can be useful in getting seeds an early start, but it isn't necessary by any means. Planting the seeds too deep is a common beginner mistake. Sometimes 1-2 times the seed depth is enough. Others can be sown right on the soil surface.

There are some basic seed guides over at bonsaiweb - you can click on any of the varieties and there is a link that will tell you if stratification is necessary and some info about planting tips.
http://www.bonsaiweb.com/seeds/care/care.cgi?16

There is a magazine called International Bonsai http://www.internationalbonsai.com that had devoted earlier issues to the development of different species of trees.
Take a look in the Magazine Back Issues section for species of interest.

There are some other forums out there - see <a href="http://www.memobug.com/treebay/links/">bonsaiTALK LINKS</a> Forums->English and try asking there as well. Above all, the best teacher you're going to have is experience, which no-one else can provide you.

Aftercare depends on what your goals are. Some seedlings might be pricked out for growth in small pots in preparation for being laid out in field beds, others might sow directly into the
beds.

And, yes, you should be able to create a new thread within the propagation forum. Just go to the forum and click the "new thread" button.

Regards,

Matt
-------------------------------------

***

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthr...=&threadid=4387

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthr...=&threadid=4244

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthr...33970#post33970

__________________

Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today!

bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!

Daniel

Wow Treebay. You're fantastic. The information you provided is exactly what I needed. Sorry that I have had to bring this information up so many times. Everytime I do mention this, I end up with more information though, so it's working for me

I believe I am prepared to move forward with collection. All I can do while in Korea is collect, and store.

I will collect, and store the seeds in the fridge for 6 months. If I understand correctly, fridge storage for 6 months will be no problem.

1) Can someone confirm that fridge storage for my seeds for 6 months will be okay?

2) After 6 months, I will store the seeds in my luggage for the airplane ride back home. Then, upon arrival my seeds will go back in the fridge. Will this be okay?