Bonsai (derived from the Japanese word 'bonsai' meaning planted in a container) is carefully pruned and trained to look like a much smaller version of its larger counterparts. To buy bonsai trees is good enough, but to grow one from scratch is another thing. Taking care of bonsai trees from its seedling state is much more fulfilling as you will be able to see the plant sprout and grow to its full beauty.



Many bonsai seeds can be bought from the market nowadays, it isn't surprising that even e-bay have them. There are also other websites that offer the seeds at a very low price, some for as low as $2. Examples of seeds that are available for buying are: The Sacred Japanese Cedar, The Pyramid Chinese Juniper, Incense Cedar, Monkey Pod Rain Tree, Amur Maple, Monkeybread Tree, among others.

The 'how' part in taking the bonsai seed and preparing it for germination is simple but could be tedious so the owner should exhibit much patience. At the beginning, it is essential that the freshest seeds are taken because this will determine the success of the germination. You could try doing this experiment at home:

1.Soak the fresh seeds and wrap them in paper towels which would also be wrapped in plastic. Don't worry about oxygen because it is believed that germination can begin even in the absence of oxygen.

2.Keep the temperature of the wrapped seeds at a uniform seventy degrees for about 10-14 days. With much care over the temperature, it should be able to germinate.

3.In case it doesn't, put the wrapped seeds inside your fridge for 3 whole months. Be sure to check it every week. A week in the fridge should show signs of germination.

4.If after three months no germination takes place, take the wrapper out and keep it now at a 70 degree temperature. This should be able to produce a sprout in 1-2 weeks. If none shows, keep it at the 70 degree temperature for three more months.

5.If the experiment outside the fridge produces nothing, put it back in and do the same procedure until the seeds sprout or until they rot.

The rewards of keeping a bonsai plant are numerous but as always, when much is expected, much is also required.