big_tuna

Hi I just brought some commercial bonsai seeds with a growing kit; thought it would be a good project.

The instructions given in the product aren't that clear but I've had a look online and on this site and accomplished the first stage last night: planting the seeds (btw I'm also a total noob at gardening).

I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing:

The package comes with Coir pots and compost to accompany. I put each pot in a plastic container (to catch the drainage). I then filled each pot with compost, made a levelling at about 3cm down and planted the seeds evenly there (some tiny seeds I put nearer to the surface). I then covered them over in compost and topped each pot off with a sprinkle of water and covered them each in the thinnest polythene bags I could find.

Some things I want to know:

Where do I keep the pots now while the seeds are dormant? I currently have them in my kitchen, protected from direct sunlight but in a place where they still get light.

The instructions suggest I put the pots in the fridge after 3 weeks of planting the seeds, for 3-6 weeks - is this correct or are there some more reliable cues than time I should go by (such as seeing sprouts?)

Cheers, I'll post some pics later on and maybe document their growth on here

Phil

I'm sure someone else will chime in on this as I do not grow seeds. However, please keep in mind that there is no such thing as "bonsai seeds". A bonsai is nothing more than a normal tree that is simply for lack of a better term, trained or conditioned to grow in a small container.

~Phil~

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big_tuna

I'm aware of this . However, I didn't buy the seeds to grow a bush

philgrayser

Hi there big tuna, most seeds are put into cold conditions (like fridges) to simulate winters. This helps the seeds to germinate properly as most seeds in the wild will stay in the ground for a year or even longer before they germinate.
It might be better to put the seeds outside if you can as they will get accustomed to day/night tempratures which also helps with germinating but keep them in a shaded place.
Dont let the soil dry out but at the same time dont saturate it either as this can cause moulds and root problems with the young seedlings. Hope this helps cheers Phil G

big_tuna

Hi, thanks for your reply,

How often do you recommend I water the soil, (daily, hourly etc.?). I can put the seeds outside but I'm scared the terrorist garden hopping cats will knock it over or something. Common sense suggest I put it on some kind of ledge beneath my windowseal for shade and saftey

philgrayser

It all depends on the heat and humidity levels around the seeds so just Keep your eye on the soil and dont let it dry out, check it daily and water when required. (If i was to say i would recomend maybee every4-5 days or so!!)
Keeping the plastic bags over the seeds helps keep in the humidity but i would recomend taking the bags of daily for 10 mins or so helps stop the air inside the bags from going stale and causing moulds. Cheers Phil G

centaura

Other than Phil's comment already about bonsai seeds - I'll throw in the comment I tell folks at shows:

There are two types of patience in bonsai. There is patience to grow bonsai, and then there's the patience to grow bonsai from seed. One is an everyday sort of patience, the other takes the patience of a saint. Bonsai from seed can be the most artistically rewarding way to start a bonsai - since you will have total artistic control from day of sprouting. But, it will also take you 20 to 30 years to get something that starts to look like its a bonsai.

That aside, I'll ask if you've got more of your seed that you haven't tried starting yet? I ask since this is a little late in the year to get a lot of success from starting seeds. Most seeds succeed better when they've been started in the spring and are grown outdoors for that following summer. You can keep going with the ones you've started, but I'll have to ask about the conditions that you've planning for them for the winter - as anything that sprouts now will need a lot of care to keep going indoors through the winter time.

-Centaura

big_tuna

Thanks for the response.

Ok, so the current conditions:

I have the seeds planted in Coir pots. They are currently outside in the garden, underneath a small table (with good shade). Both pots are covered with thin polythene bags. The weather here has varied between heavy/light rain and sunny spells. Avg. UK Temperatures.


My plan for the winter:

I don't have one . I am completely new to this so I'm trying to get all the advice I can get. I understand that once I see seedlings sprouted, I should transfer the pots to the refridgerator?

Backup plan:

I did save some seeds, enough for two more pots I think, and I don't mind waiting till next spring to plant them.

So yeah, I guess I should be most concerned with what I will do come winter. I will look up information regarding that to help prepare.

philgrayser

Hi big tuna, when the seeds sprout dont put them in the fridge or it will kill them from lack of light (Probably too cold as well). Keep them where they germinated for a little while untill they are a bit stronger then introduce them slowly to a bit more light for a few hours a day untill they get accustomed to it.
Do you know what type of seeds they are? All seeds have different germinating times! You should also read up on the type of tree they will grow into to get more info on how the seeds will germinate and your new seedlings will grow. Cheers phil G

treebeard55

Hi, Big Tuna. (That name sounds almost Hawaiian to me.)

Phil and Centaura have been coaching you pretty well. Let me just add two thing.

Some seeds need a period of cold, then milder temperatures, before they will sprout. If some of your seeds don't sprout now, don't assume they're not viable. If they are still plump and hard, hang onto them, keep them cool and dry, until later.

Phil's right: you don't want to put seedlings in the frig. If I were you, I would plan to keep any sprouts indoors, under lights and at room temperature, for this winter. They will continue to grow, and will need water and fertilizer, etc. But that's your best chance of getting them thru the winter successfully.

Then next year you can treat them according to their particular climatic needs.

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