Got a Bonsai tree kit..soaking seeds?

elrasho · 2 Dec 2013 at 14:30

Got a Bonsai tree growing kit from the Manchester Xmas Markets. The first step is to soak the seeds for 24 hours... what does that actually mean?

Seen some Youtube vids of people pouring water into a polystyrene cup then emptying the bag of seeds in it.. is that right?

Anyone successfully grown a Bonsai tree? I've had a few attempts over the years, the furthest I got was a shoot about 4cm tall... then it died

Tom0 · 2 Dec 2013 at 14:33

Get bowl, put water in bowl, put seeds in bowl and wait 24 hours.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germination

elrasho · 2 Dec 2013 at 14:35

Tom0 said:
Get bowl, put water in bowl, put seeds in bowl and wait 24 hours.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germination

Thanks, when I saw the vids it looked strange that you'd do this to seeds.

RTXIII · 2 Dec 2013 at 14:36

A quick Google suggests this is STRATIFICATION. I know, i'm confused too, but it's as our climate is rubbish for them.

Scroll down here: http://www.bonsai4me.co.uk/Basics/Basics_Seeds.html

Tom0 · 2 Dec 2013 at 14:38

It does seem a small amount of time but you'd be surprised.

I think the key to a bonsai tree is keeping the soil moist, from what I remember reading anyway.

joeyjojo · 2 Dec 2013 at 14:45

Growing bonsai from seed is only for experts. If you aren't already very adept at watering, feeding, pruning, shaping, wiring, and repotting, I wouldn't bother. Practice these skills with a mature bonsai for several seasons first, ideally with bonsai of different species and styles, before growing one from seed.

Growing from seed will just add several years of delay, and is only really worth doing if you've got a style in mind and must be in control of every minute detail. And even in those cases, I'd suggest growing from a cutting (much faster than waiting for germination).

elrasho · 2 Dec 2013 at 20:23

Here is the kit

Theres gravel on the left and seeds on the right but what's the stuff in middle?

Step1 complete: