When a beginner first buys a bonsai, it is usually a young tree, and while learning the basics, they begin to know how to look after their bonsai properly. There comes a point of time when the confidence grows enough to move on to more challenging forms of bonsai keeping. Including growing bonsai seeds.



Seed Dormancy.

Seeds, before any chance of growth, have to go through a phase called dormancy, With seeds, there is no set time limit on its period of dormancy, a lot depends on the species as to the likely period you can expect the bonsai seeds to be dormant. Some may be dormant from autumn to spring like oak, others, like some pines, can be dormant for between 1 year to 18 months or more.

Germination.

During the cold winter, seeds will sit in the wet soil, and as it does so the elements, along with soil bacteria will soften the protective shell of the seed, as this happens it starts to encourage the seed to grow. It is possible to artificially do what nature herself does naturally, and that is induce growth from our bonsai seeds. .

About Cold Stratification.

When you plant your bonsai seeds in fall, you are at the start of natures own natural process, but to quicken things up we need to achieve that over winter aspect for the seed. We can do this indoors, and its called cold stratification, what this entails is artificially preparing your seeds by placing the seeds in containers and then storing them in the refrigerator, which imitates the normal winter period the seeds go through. This helps break the bonsai seeds dormancy and leads to germination.

Seed Sowing.

Place your bonsai seeds into good soil within a container of good drainage, ensuring you space them 1/4 to 1/2 inch apart a little under the surface, check on them often during the months, making sure they are not drying out. All being well you should see signs of the first shoots showing up through the soil, your then on your way, but it will be several years before they develop in to bonsai trees.

Preparing Your Seeds.

Your bonsai seeds, as i spoke about above, may take some time to show signs of growing, so try to be patient. By using the right type of fertilization, with moderation, you can help the bonsai seeds along. Use in early spring once the soil starts warming up, untill about the middle of summer, using this ratio: 10 parts Nitrogen, 10 parts Phosphates, 10 parts Potassium. make sure to keep soil moist, but not over wet or soggy, or you will lose your bonsai seeds.