How to properly grow bonsai from seeds at home?

A wonderful miniature of a garden tree in our house or greenhouse. Growing bonsai at home is easy if desired. The only thing that will be required is patience, especially when growing large quantities of bonsai.

Seeds and types of popular miniature trees

Among the bonsai species, some of them have gained particular popularity. Most often, the following species are grown from seeds:

• tropical: boxwood, acacia, wisteria, leptospermum, ficus;
• broadleaf: beeches, birches, hornbeams, elms, maples;
• conifers: cedars, spruces, pines, firs, cypresses.

In fact, the list of available woody plants is much longer. For example, seeds: spruce, euonymus, pine, beech, oak and fir can be planted at the time of harvest.

Bonsai seeds can be found on their own in parks, groves, and so on. It's much more fun than shopping at a store. But you will need special knowledge, from searching to preparing and growing seedlings.

Amateur gardener tips

An important point - in the period up to 3 months, it is necessary to carry out the formation of seedlings.

If you find seeds, but want to plant them at a different moment, then you will need to properly save the material. To do this, they must be placed in a container or, better, in a special wooden cellar. Before this, the seeds should be dried. They should be stored in a cool room at temperatures ranging from -5 to 0 degrees Celsius.

Growing method

The seeds themselves mainly differ in weight and type of seed coat. For a certain type of seed, one or another method of sowing is suitable. Compliance with the rules will allow you to grow truly beautiful and healthy seedlings. Trees such as Japanese maple, hawthorn, juniper, hornbeam, quince require a preliminary freezing period. To do this, you need to place them in wet sand in a cool room. The rest period varies from six months to a year.

Seed pretreatment

In order for the seeds to germinate correctly, they must be processed in order to avoid disease or death. Before planting, the seeds are placed in water for a couple of days. Or also peat moss is used for germination. To accelerate the effect, you can break the hard shell of the seed. Then they are treated with Bordeaux liquid against diseases and the soil is disinfected.

Seeds for Bonsai can be ordered online

For example, for fir, heat treatment of the soil with drainage is suitable.Usually, a linen tank is taken, in which two bricks are placed with the edges down. A bucket is placed on top so that it is tightly closed with a lid. As boiling water is poured, the upper edges of the bricks should protrude three centimeters from the water. Before that, holes are made at the bottom of the bucket, and gauze is placed on top of the bottom. It is necessary to warm up the soil for about 2-3 hours.

Ready set for growing Bonsai from seeds

There are other ways to sterilize soil - freezing... This is usually done in late autumn. The soil is poured into a bag and left in the yard or on the loggia before the onset of frost. After that, the soil is brought into the room for thawing for 10 days. Before that, it is advisable to water it with melt water from fresh garden snow. Then for 6 - 7 days, the ground is again exposed to the air. In this case, the temperature should be about -20 degrees. These processes of freezing and thawing of the soil must be done 2 - 3 times for the complete destruction of harmful microorganisms and weed seeds.

Planting bonsai, soil

The seed is planted in spring, late summer or autumn. Peat pots, pre-filled with a mixture of sand and peat in equal proportions, are ideal for planting. Or they use the land for cacti and coarse sand. It is impossible to fill the soil mixture to the brim, you must leave three centimeters. Above is a centimeter layer of prepared soil. Then the whole mixture should be lightly pressed with a piece of wood, laid out the seeds and covered with a layer of sand, no more than two diameters of the planted seed. Press down again with a piece of wood and pour a little water over it.

Mini greenhouse for Bonsai from egg carriage

The container is covered with glass or plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect. Then all the contents are exposed in a place protected from the sun with a temperature of no higher than 15 degrees. The soil should always be moderately moist, not dry out.

Seedling care

After the first shoots appear, air must be supplied into the container. To do this, several holes are made in the polyethylene, or you can put a chip under the edge of the glass. As the first leaves appear, the seedlings should be fully opened.

Re-rooting is required in the interval from one to three months. This is cutting the taproot - 2/3 of its length. Sometimes a special hormone is inoculated to stimulate root formation.

Plants need to be fertilized, it is better to do this at the beginning of summer. Fertilizers should be added to the soil in small portions. When the seedling reaches a height of 10 centimeters, it is transplanted into a flower pot. The plant must begin to accustom to sunlight. Don't forget to do periodic shaping. Depending on the type of bonsai, it is produced at the age of several years.

Using simple instructions and the tips suggested above, we can get a really beautiful and healthy tree of our dreams.

Literally translated, the word "bonsai" means grown on a tray. Basically, bonsai is an art that involves growing a miniature copy of a tree. It arose at the end of the 8th century, in China, and was the main decoration of the imperial court. Since that time, many styles have emerged that differ in the structure of the trunk and crown. Bonsai trees are outdoor trees, their size varies from two centimeters to one and a half meters. Even if you do not know how to grow bonsai at home, this art is made available thanks to the article.

Bonsai trees - types and features

Some people mistakenly believe that bonsai is some kind of culture that is dwarf in size and bizarre in shape. In fact, this is not the case. Bonsai can be grown from almost any tree. The main condition is to know which culture is suitable for creating a harmonious miniature copy.

See below for tree types and recommended sizes for bonsai formation.

1. Juniper, irga, spruce and rhododendron 8-20 cm.
2. Barberry, field and rock maple, privet, mountain pine 20-30 cm.
3. Scots pine, American maple, birch, hazel, elm 30-70 cm.
4. Linden, larch, ash, ash-leaved or plane-leaved maple, oak, beech, black pine 60-100 cm.
5. Wisteria, chestnut, black pine, sycamore, elderberry, acacia 100-130 cm.

The seeds of the tree you like can be purchased in the botanical garden, a specialty store, or collected in the city park. A good option for beginners is to buy seed in China. The seeds of trees such as spruce, pine, fir, oak or euonymus are ready for planting after harvest.

The seeds of other plants must be dormant for some time and undergo stratification.

Seed stratification as a measure of preparation for sowing

There are seeds that are specially prepared before planting - these are sakura seeds. In fact, Japanese cherry (sakura) is the perfect material for making bonsai. From the seeds of Japanese sakura, you can create real masterpieces that can amaze with amazing shapes. In order for the plant to germinate properly, the seeds of this tree are stratified.

Basically, stratification is a process that simulates winter conditions in order to better germinate seeds. There are several ways to stratify plants:

1. Cold stratification. Essential for seeds that need ripening: pine, thuja or blue spruce. The seeds of such plants are first soaked in lukewarm water and then placed in the refrigerator. In this way, an artificial imitation of the temperature drop in nature is made.
2. Warm stratification. Used to "awaken" seeds. The planting material is placed in warm water for several hours or days. You can also place the seeds not in liquid, but in an environment with high humidity: wrap with a damp cloth or place in a damp coconut substrate.
3. Combined stratification. It is applied to the seeds of maple, cedar, sakura, which germinate for a long time. Its essence lies in the change of cold and warm stratification. Initially, the seeds are placed in a cold room, and immediately before planting, they are soaked in warm water. Combined stratification is common in bonsai cultivation.

In addition to stratification, seeds should be disinfected so that the plants are not afraid of the appearance of fungal formations. For this, you can use a manganese solution.

This tool perfectly disinfects seeds before planting. The seed is soaked in pinkish water. Seed disinfection lasts from 5 days to 2 weeks. After the seeds have been stratified and disinfected, they can be planted.

Soil and container for growing bonsai

The best soil for seeds is considered to be coarse sand, which is steamed before use. This is a kind of disinfection that will prevent the plant from dying. It is recommended to use a wide container with a depth of 5 cm and drainage holes. Before planting, the sand must be well moistened and special grooves must be made in which the seeds will be placed.

To grow bonsai at home, you should take care of preparing the soil and choosing the right container. The container in which the miniature tree is grown can be of different shapes and depths. Rectangle, oval, circle or polyhedron, deep or flat - the choice is really great. Remember, if the trunk of the bonsai has a slope, then the container for it should be more stable. In this case, give preference to deep containers or those made of heavy material.

The colors of the container should be calm and discreet, this will only emphasize the elegance of the plant. Moreover, the bowl should match the bonsai style. If the miniature copy will have a dense crown, then it is better to choose a flat and wide container. For a cascading style bonsai, a narrow and tall pot is suitable, and the tall crowns of the plant will better emphasize the containers that are deep, but not wide.

Scald the bowl with boiling water before planting to eliminate possible sources of fungus and bacteria.

Traditionally, bonsai is grown in a special substrate called akadama. It is a heavy soil, rich in nutrients, high moisture levels and good air circulation. However, such land is rarely used in its pure form. Firstly, it is in its pure form only in one of the prefectures of Japan, and secondly, a high concentrate of nutrients does not always have a beneficial effect on bonsai, especially during the period when the tree is being shaped.

Bonsai substrate must meet several criteria: it retains moisture well, contains nutrients and provides oxygen access to prevent souring or decay of the roots. A good substrate is mixed from granular clay, humus and sand, in the ratio that suits each type of plant.

1. Type of wood and soil used.
2. Deciduous trees. Sod land and sand, in a ratio of 7 to 3 (3 parts sand and 7 parts turf).
3. Blooming bonsai. The mixture is prepared from turf, sand and humus, in a ratio of 7: 3: 1.
   Coniferous bonsai. Four pieces of sand and 6 pieces of turf land.

You can prepare the soil yourself at home. Sod land can be dug up in a meadow. One has only to remove the top layer of vegetation, and the top 20 centimeters of soil can be used to grow bonsai.

Before use, the land must be cleaned by sifting through a large sated. The sand should be taken from the river, coarse-grained. It will make the soil looser, which will improve air circulation, and it holds moisture better. Before use, all these components should be disinfected by heating in the oven. Humus should be purchased in a specialized store or ordered via the Internet.

Features of sowing seeds and plant care

Planting is carried out in spring, summer or early autumn in peat pots, which are filled with a mixture of sand and peat, in a one-to-one ratio. If there is nowhere to buy peat, then you can buy land for cacti and mix it with coarse sand. Such a substance will be a complete replacement. Follow the steps below.

1. Pour the mixture into the pot so that there is another 3 cm to the edge.
2. Add 1 centimeter of cleaned turf soil, press down with a wooden circle.
3. Place the seeds on the prepared surface and cover them with a layer of sand. The thickness of the layer is no more than two diameters of the seeds.
4. Press down again with a wooden circle, remove it and pour the sand with water (no more than 80 ml).
5. Cover with plastic wrap.

Place the seed pot in a dark place with a temperature of no more than 150C. Remove the airing film periodically and check if the soil is dry. It should always be damp, but not wet.

When the first shoots have broken through, pierce the plastic to provide air access. After the first shoots appear, remove the film from the pots and transfer to a lighted room. Make sure that the plants are not exposed to direct sunlight. After 2-3 months, it is worth cutting off the taproot by 2/3, this process is called the formation of seedlings.

Fertilizers are added to the land where the seedlings ripen. It is necessary to transplant seedlings into a separate form after the sprout has grown by 10 centimeters. During this period, the sprout can be accustomed to the sun's rays and at the same time not stop forming the desired shape.

According to this scheme, you can grow sakura bonsai or Japanese pine.. But some types of trees need a special approach.

Features of agricultural technology of Japanese and red maple

This tree starts shedding seeds in the fall. To grow bonsai from maple seeds, they need to be stratified for 120 days. The optimal time for disembarkation is April or May. So that sprouts appear faster, the seeds are soaked for 1-2 days in hydrogen peroxide. This measure will speed up the germination process and protect the plant from diseases.

Bonsai from seeds of all types of maple, especially red, must be grown in partial shade - direct sunlight is contraindicated for it. The land for growing this species should be fertilized once a month in order to achieve the desired level of acidity. In winter, feeding is excluded.

Features of agricultural technology lemon bonsai

Growing a plant from lemon seeds is not difficult. In this case, no stratification is needed. Planting seeds are extracted directly from the fruit. It should be ripe, but not externally damaged. You can plant several seeds at once.

1. Prepare the pot and soil as described above.
2. At the bottom of the container, make 1-2 cm of drainage.
3. Fill to the top with prepared soil.
4. Place the lemon seeds 1.5 cm deep.
5. Wrap the pot with plastic wrap.

The room where the container with seeds will be stored must be at least 180C. At intervals of 2-3 days, remove the film and slightly moisten the surface with water. Do not overmoisten so that the resulting roots do not rot.

Features of agricultural technology of cedar

Cedar seeds are the easiest to grow bonsai seeds and are suitable for beginner gardeners. Seed stratification has two stages.

1. Lasts 6 days. The seeds are placed in water with a temperature of 25-300C and changed every two days.
2. The stratification period is 60 days. The seeds are taken out of the water and mixed with disinfected river sand and peat. This substance with seeds is moistened and mixed periodically until the first shoots hatch.

Once the sprouts have hatched, the seeds can be planted or placed in a container. In this form, cedar seeds can be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 20C until they are planted in a pot. Cedar loves a lit place, but does not tolerate direct sunlight.

The exception is young bonsai from Japanese cedar seed. It will grow better in a shaded area.

Features of agricultural technology of Japanese pine

There are 2 types of Japanese pine: black (less demanding on lighting) and common. Before planting, the seeds undergo a mandatory 3-month cold stratification. You need to plant seeds in a deep container to a depth of 2 centimeters. Sowing time is the end of winter.

The grooves are cut at a distance of 3 cm from each other to facilitate the care of germinated, but not yet ripe bonsai seedlings. When the first leaves appear, you can take the container out into a bright room. With an accelerated process of photosynthesis, the sprouts will get stronger faster. The formation of the crown can be started as soon as the plant reaches 5 cm in height.

Watering, feeding, wintering

The main problem with caring for a bonsai is watering it. Due to the small size of the pots, the roots of the tree are deformed and the efficiency from watering is reduced. There are two main methods of watering: irrigation and immersion.

1. The plant is watered with water from a special teapot.
2. The pot with the tree is placed in a bowl of water and taken out after a few minutes.

It is better to water it with rainwater, if it is not there, let it stand for two days with tap water.

Remember, bonsai dies without water. Even if its leaves are green, but there has been no watering for a long time, the roots are most likely dead.

In the summer, watering should be done more often and more water should be poured.

When growing bonsai, feeding is important, especially at the time of crown formation. The tree is fertilized once every 2-3 weeks, and once a month it is necessary to apply algae-based fertilizer. The most important fertilizer components are potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Nitrogen is responsible for the growth and development of the leaves and stem of the tree. It is a major component in promoting cell division and protein production.

Phosphorus stimulates cell division, is responsible for budding and has a positive effect on the growth and development of the root. Protects against disease.

Potassium helps fight disease-causing microorganisms and promotes fruiting and flower development.

These substances must be present in bonsai food.In flower shops, it is difficult to find a suitable option that contains all the substances in the required proportions. Therefore, we recommend mixing fertilizers yourself in the following proportions:

• in spring, when the growth period is more intense, apply more nitrogen. The optimal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is 12: 6: 6, respectively;
• in summer, food should be more balanced, so the components are added in equal proportions - 10:10:10
• in autumn, less nitrogen is required, the optimal ratio of components is 3 parts of nitrogen and 9 parts of phosphorus and potassium.

If the bonsai is grown from a flowering tree, focus on adding potassium in a proportional ratio of 12: 6: 6

Indoor bonsai plants are fertilized all year round, and outdoor plants are fertilized from early spring to mid autumn. Young trees are fertilized every 2 weeks, older bonsai can be fed every 4-6 weeks. Blooming bonsai should not be fed during and immediately after flowering. When feeding, remember that it is better to apply less fertilizer than "overfeed" the plant.

At the onset of winter, inexperienced gardeners who have miniature trees on the street make a huge mistake - they bring them into a warm room. This behavior makes the tree grow constantly, it takes too much energy and depletes resources. Having deprived the plant of its natural "rest", all efforts can be wasted. A tree that grows on the street needs to be properly prepared for wintering:

1. Clean branches from dirt and pests.
2. Move the trees to an elevated, well-lit, draft-free location in the garden.
3. At temperatures below -100C, transfer the plant to an unheated room.
4. Make sure that the soil is not too wet.

Bonsai is an amazing art and painstaking work that begins with the selection and search for seeds and never ends. Like all living things, bonsai requires care and thanks its owner for the kindness with green leaves, bizarre shapes and unique sophistication of the image.

To consolidate the material, watch a good video on growing bonsai from seeds. The author has a lot to learn!

There are many plants growing in our garden, some of them were even before the formation of the garden - old, perennial trees that simply remained on the site, a young garden already produced by our own efforts, as well as many flowers and industrial plants, berry bushes, root crops, and so on. Further. But, despite the abundance of beautiful and useful plants on the site, you always want something new, unusual.

Bonsai can become such a position in the garden - growing an exact copy of a tree, but only in miniature. Today we will look at how you can grow bonsai from seeds. This path is not easy and long, but it brings the desired result.

So, to begin with, a huge amount of bonsai can be grown from seeds, but this will take patience, time and some expense, because some plants can take more than five years. As we said right away, this path is not easy and quite long and only the most patient gardener will reach the end, and he will get the desired result.

Popular bonsai trees that can be grown from seeds

Almost every tree can be grown in this way, but you also need to know about the popularity of this or that. So, for example, among the tropical, the most popular are box trees, myrtles, abutilones, leptospermums, acacia, wisteria and, of course, ficuses. Among broadleaf trees, these are beeches, hornbeams, maples, birches, elms, Japanese beeches and pomegranate trees. Conifers include fir, cypress, spruce, cedar and pine.

Also read: What diseases and pests affect bonsai

Where to get maple and other tree seeds

Bonsai seeds can be found in botanical gardens or even in public parks, where beautiful and often unique trees often grow.If you do not have such an opportunity, then you can always buy seeds for growing bonsai at home. This can be done online or in live plant stores locally or on order. But you should not be especially deceived by the beautiful images on the packages of seeds that are sold, because what you buy is only planting material, from which the desired bonsai will turn out only as a result of special efforts, knowledge and labor.

Store seeds or plant immediately

The seeds of various plants may differ from each other not only in appearance and weight, but also in the type of seed box. In addition, for each individual variety, there is a specific seeding method that will allow the seeds to germinate correctly.

Seeds of spruce, pine, beech, oak, euonymus and fir are ready for sowing already at the time of harvest. If they need to be planted at a different moment, then the seeds can always be saved by placing them in a cool place, having previously wrapped or placed in a container.

The seeds of other plants, such as hawthorn, juniper, maple, hornbeam, quince, require some period of dormancy and stratification. They must be kept in a cool place, previously placed in wet sand. The period of this such rest can have different periods, from six months to a year.

How to germinate seeds, whether pre-treatment is necessary

In order for the seeds to be ready for planting, they must be properly germinated and treated with drugs, otherwise problems such as the death of the seed due to certain diseases are possible. Before planting, the seeds are placed in water for several days to swell and begin the process of primary germination. It is also possible to germinate seeds in sphagnum moss or vermiculite. In this case, it is desirable to break the hard shell of the seeds. This process ensures the best germination rate. Further, in order to avoid the appearance of plant diseases, the seeds should be treated with a fungicide, liquid or dry, and the soil must be sterilized.

How to grow bonsai (video)

Planting seeds, soil composition

Prepared seeds are planted in spring, late summer or even fall. Peat cups or pots pre-filled with a mixture of sand and peat in proportions of 1: 1 are perfect for planting. You can replace this composition with soil for cacti purchased in the store, to which coarse sand should be added. The soil mixture should not fill the container to the brim, it is required to leave about three centimeters to the top. Next, 1 centimeter of prepared, but already sieved soil. Further, the soil requires a little pressure with a piece of wood and lay out the seeds. They are sprinkled with sand on top. The thickness of the last layer should be a maximum of two diameters of the seed to be planted. Press down again with a piece of wood and water a little.

The seating container is covered with polyethylene or glass to create a greenhouse effect, and placed in a place away from sunlight and high temperatures, which should not be more than +15 degrees Celsius.

The soil in the container should be constantly moist, not dry out or flooded with water.

Seedling care

At the moment when the first sprouts from the seeds are noticed, it is necessary to ensure the supply of fresh air to the container. This can be achieved by placing a small chip under the glass or by making several small holes in the plastic wrap. When the first leaves appear, the seedlings can be fully opened.

At the age of one to three months, it is necessary to carry out the formation of seedlings. The taproot is cut off (when picking), by about 2/3. There is a possibility that the seedling will have to be re-rooted. In this case, you will need to use a rooting drug, such as a special hormone.

Seedlings need to be fed with fertilizers. It is advisable to do this in early summer, adding fertilizers to the soil in small portions.When the plant reaches a height of 10 centimeters, it must be transplanted into an ordinary flower pot. The plant can begin to accustom to the sun's rays. Do not forget that that plant requires constant formation, only then it will turn out from it the plant that you dreamed of, truly decorative and beautiful. Depending on the type of bonsai, it can be formed at the age of several years.

The most beautiful bonsai (46 photos)

Attention, only TODAY!

Reviews and comments

Did you find a mistake in the text? Please select it and press Ctrl + Enter. Thanks!

Rating:

(

estimates, average:

out of 5)

Bonsai is such a fascinating art that, alas, requires a lot of patience, perseverance and valuable knowledge. It's one thing to buy a small bonsai tree and then care for and grow it at home. A more difficult but interesting way is to get the coveted village of a bizarre shape from a small seed! And for this you need to be patient: “adult” bonsai from seeds will become only after 25-30 years. Nice present to give to your grandchildren or great-grandchildren, isn't it?

I would say that seed bonsai is a special, subtle, deep philosophy that allows you to know your inner "I" through the language of plants. Yes, you will have to wait, but such a sacrifice of the grower pays off doubly, because in the end you yourself create the tree of the desired shape. Dreams Come True!

Now I will not describe how to care for a bonsai at home, how to properly shape the crown, cut the roots, which plants are suitable for bonsai, and so on. This is information for my future articles that you will be able to watch shortly. Today I want to focus on exactly how to grow bonsai pine from seeds. I think this topic will be of interest to many.

We advise you to read

Choosing seeds for growing bonsai at home

When choosing seeds for bonsai, give preference to those types of trees that can grow in your climatic conditions. If you plan to keep your bonsai on an open balcony or garden, choose from those that grow in your area. Or, if you're growing a tree indoors, pick something from a tropical species. Indoors, hibiscus, coffee tree, dracaena, laurel, sheflera grow well.

With a complete lack of experience in plant breeding, try planting a ficus. He is quite unpretentious. With some gardening experience, you can choose seeds from any of the popular bonsai tree species. For example, pine or citrus. Pine grows slowly, but amazingly beautiful specimens are obtained from it. Of the tropical species, abutilons, acacia, and myrtle are often grown. Deciduous trees include birch, oak, beech, maple, and pomegranate trees. One must also take into account the attractiveness of the future tree. And among other things, the chosen plant must definitely like it.

How to choose a pot and soil for a bonsai?

So, you have selected and purchased the seedling from which you want to create a bonsai. How to grow him strong and healthy? It all starts with choosing a pot and planting.

The ideal pot for a dwarf Japanese tree is a ceramic container, not too deep, of a large diameter, like a bowl. There should be enough space in it so that the roots of the bonsai are securely covered.

At the same time, it is undesirable to use soil for ordinary indoor flowers, because it retains a lot of moisture, and the root system of the seedling can rot. In nature, bonsai grow in harsh conditions, on rocky slopes, clinging to almost bare rock. Of course, this does not mean that at home the tree should be grown on stones, but the quality of the soil should be as close to natural as possible. In the case of bonsai, the main function of the pot and soil is to balance the aboveground part of the seedling.

How to prepare seed material for a miniature tree?

If you are interested in how to grow a bonsai from seeds, immediately get ready for the fact that it will take a lot of time, sometimes even more than 5 years.

Planting material can be bought at the nursery, ordered online, or even collected on your own in a nearby park.

Check also our articles

Tropical trees are grown from the seeds of boxwood, myrtle, wisteria, ficus, broad-leaved - beech, hornbeam, maple, elm, birch, conifers - cedar, pine, fir, cypress. Planting material for breeds such as hawthorn, juniper, quince requires resting for 6-12 months. The seeds are placed in a container with wet sand and left in a cool place. Future pines, spruces, oaks and firs, on the contrary, are best sown immediately after harvest.

So how to grow bonsai from oak or other species with seeds? Immediately before planting, they are germinated in water, moss or vermiculite. Break their hard shell to increase germination. It is also recommended to treat the seeds with a fungicide and sterilize the soil to minimize the possibility of germ disease.

How to grow bonsai from seeds at home

If you collect seeds from trees growing in your area (such as pine or maple), then it is better not to plant them in the fall, but if you want to plant them in the spring, or if you want to grow a tree that is not typical for your climate, then plant seeds will need stratify.

Stratification is the pretreatment of a plant's seeds to simulate winter conditions, a kind of hardening. Growing and caring for a beginner florist can be difficult, so it is worth first germinating the seeds of local trees in the fall, just as it happens in natural conditions.

After you collect pine, spruce, or cedar cones, store them in a warm place so that the seeds pop out between the loose scales.

The seeds of the sakura plant or other exotic trees can be obtained from China and have received mostly positive customer reviews. From exotic seeds, you can make a bonsai mix, which is easy to care for.

The germination ability of a seed depends on a number of factors:

• From the quality and vitality of the seeds;
• From ambient temperature;
• From the way of collection and storage;
• From how much time has passed since ripening.

It is advisable to use fresh seeds ripened this or last year; the seeds of some trees remain viable for a very short time.

Plant seeds are biologically programmed to germinate in their native habitat when natural conditions are most favorable. For most species, this means that seeds that are ripe in late summer and fall will be dormant during the winter and then germinate when the soil warms.

Germinating in the spring, the young seedling has all spring, summer and autumn at its disposal to grow and strengthen for its first wintering.

Therefore, many seeds ripen all summer long, and, falling to the ground, do not grow, but hibernate under the snow, of course, if they are not eaten by birds or animals. Conifers especially suffer from animals - pine, cedar, various spruces.

Seeds can be stratified by simulating the effect of repeated freezing and thawing in the refrigerator during the winter, and then gradually warming the soil and increasing daylight hours.

Check also our articles

Plant seeds should be rinsed in water for 5-6 hours and then placed in a damp plastic bag and left at room temperature for 3-4 days. Seeds that swell in water are viable, and any floating seeds are essentially empty shells, they will not germinate and must be removed, no matter how many.

A plastic bag with seeds is placed at the bottom of the refrigerator, where the temperature is about 4 ° C.The bag is then gradually transferred to the top shelves in the refrigerator for two weeks until it hits the top shelf where the temperature is just above freezing. Over the second two-week period, the bag should be slowly moved down to the bottom of the refrigerator. The seeds can then be removed from the refrigerator and sown into the soil.

Where to get bonsai seeds, germination and care

You can harvest seeds from coniferous or deciduous trees in your region (spruce, pine, maple, oak, etc.) in the fall. Seeds, like fruits such as chestnuts or acorns, are easy to find in the forest.

Forming a bonsai of the correct shape

Constant pruning of the roots and shoots of the tree helps to restrain growth. To weaken the sakura, horizontal cuts are made on its trunk with a sharp knife. The sap of the plant is released from them. Losing moisture and nutrients, the tree weakens and slows down growth. It is very important to make the cuts of the correct size. Excessive sap loss can kill the plant.

For the same purpose, bonsai wire is used. She is pulled over the trunk of a tree, not allowing it to develop. When the sakura reaches a height of 25-30 cm, the top is cut off. From this point on, the tree will grow to the sides, releasing side shoots.

Pruning must be done before sap flow begins. If after pruning there are high-quality cut off shoots, they can be used for cuttings. Pinching shoots and branches will help to increase the density of the crown. The more often pruning and pinching is done, the thicker and smaller the crown will be.

The tree is formed by fixing the shoots in the desired shape and guiding their growth in the desired direction using a special bonsai wire. To obtain the necessary bending of the trunk or branches with the help of a wire, branches are wrapped around it. When using wire, you need to make sure that it does not grow into the bark of the plant. To do this, it must be periodically removed and reeled in a new place.

The location chosen for the bonsai will determine the shape of the crown. If the light in the room is not diffused, the plant will have a more developed crown and stronger branches on the side on which more light falls. When the tree is on the windowsill, it must be constantly rotated so that the chosen style is not violated. Optimal for a bonsai plant will be morning and evening lighting. It is recommended to place the tree in the shade from 11 am to 4 pm.

To make a beautiful tree at home, it needs to provide optimal lighting. Sakura is a light-loving plant, it needs a lot of bright light. Therefore, in winter and on cloudy days, it is necessary to use additional lighting. With a lack of light, the shoots become thin, and the petioles of the leaves become long.

In the spring, the plant is fed with ammonium nitrate, and in the fall with superphosphate and potassium sulfide. The tree slows down growth on poor soil. Therefore, fertilizer for a bonsai plant should contain a minimum concentration of nutrients.