Bonsai tree

64 Comment

Material

1/2 cup Seeds, collected from trees growing in Autumn; chestnuts & acorns work great
1 x 15cm (6") Choose a pot roughly 15 cm (6’’) deep with a hole for drainage.
Fine gravel & Akadama a type of clay you can purchase from a bonsai specialist

Method

Choose a pot roughly 15 cm (6’’) deep with a hole for drainage.
The bottom layer (roughly ¼ of the pot) should consist of fine gravel and akadama (a type of clay you can purchase from a bonsai specialist) in a ratio of ½ to ½.
On top of the bottom layer put akadama, fine gravel and potting compost mixed together in a ratio of ½ to ¼ to ¼. This layer should fill the pot up to roughly 3 cm (1’’).
Put the seeds on top of the earth and place them 2 to 5 cm (about 1’’ - 2’’) apart, depending on the size of the seeds.
Cover the seeds with the same ground mixture.
Rinse a considerable amount of water over the seedbed, but be careful not to disturb the soil surface by using a fine nozzle.

Notes

You can collect seeds from trees growing in your area in autumn. Seeds like chestnuts and acorns are easy to find in the forest. Seeds from conifers can be found inside pine-cones. Once you collect the pine-cones you need to store them in a warm place so they will release the seeds from between the scales. Seeds of various tree species are also easily available for purchase in (online) bonsai shops.

Put the prepared seedbed outside on a bright position and keep it damp, but not wet. During the spring the Bonsai seeds will germinate, do not prune or repot the seedlings until the next spring. You can start using small quantities of fertilizer during the summer. After one year the seedlings can be separated and put in bigger pots; it will take at least three years of unrestricted growth before the seedlings are ready for their first training.

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About The Author

Sandi Giles

Hi, I am a mum with now grown children, 1 girl, 2 boys. I am now finding more time for myself which is nice & it is great to be a part of this group, I love it. My interests are cooking, reading, heath & beauty. We have recently fostered a young boy who has come into our lives when our older children left home & now we have a beautiful little girl who is in our care all the way from America.

64 Comments

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 24 Oct 2015
    11:32 am
I love that this is so inexpensive, just not sure where a bonsai specialist would be.

- - mom113055 said
  - 20 Oct 2015
    4:09 am
smal cute tree lovely to have

- - mom152736 said
  - 16 Oct 2015
    5:43 pm
i love bonsais..but never had them at home…worth a try

- - 4littlemunchkins said
  - 13 Oct 2015
    9:48 pm
Bosnai trees fascinate me. Might have to give this one a go.

- - Melanie said
  - 12 Oct 2015
    12:51 am
This is great. I’ve always wanted a bonsai tree. These tips are really handy in getting me started. Thanks.

- - mom113055 said
  - 06 Oct 2015
    12:02 am
bonsai tree

- - mom160421 said
  - 02 Oct 2015
    5:36 pm
I’ve tried bonsai a couple of times but the trees usually die – I will have to try again.

- - mom109229 said
  - 29 Sep 2015
    1:18 pm
It would be interesting to see how a native Australian tree/ bush goes as a bonsai!
- mom94125 replied
  
  07 Oct 2015 , 12:42 am
  yeah so very cute! easy to trim. watch vids on youtube
- - mom57808 said
  - 12 Sep 2015
    7:26 am
I LOVE BONSI BUT WAS ALWAYS SCARED TO GET ONE AS THEY LOOKED HIGH MANTANCE

- - mom152736 said
  - 06 Aug 2015
    4:28 pm
never knew this one…. bonsai looks really cute…. can all kinds of seeds be turned into bonsais?

- - mom57808 said
  - 01 Jul 2015
    5:22 am
love this idea will be doing this on the weekend

- - Meghannn said
  - 30 Jun 2015
    11:56 pm
Bonsais are awesome!

- - robyn_smithwick said
  - 27 Jun 2015
    5:37 pm
Wow! This sounds exciting! I tried to grow an avocado plant but gave up after10 weeks! Lol!!

- - memo said
  - 21 Jun 2015
    6:46 pm
you need to be patient to do bonsai, I am not, but I love the art.

- - mom94888 said
  - 14 Jun 2015
    2:43 pm
Such a great idea, love it!

- - Kell said
  - 13 Jun 2015
    9:11 pm
I saw this post a few months ago and thought I’d give it a go…. so after some research, and combined with my love of herbs … I’ve started a Rosemary Bonsai!! thank you again for inspiring me to try.

- - fionaellis said
  - 06 Jun 2015
    10:14 am
Great Idea to save some money. Those things are expensive.

- - mom70050 said
  - 05 Jun 2015
    10:17 am
A lovely way to start your own bonsai collection minus the often high price of a nursery/store started bonsai. Thanks for sharing.

- - curlytops said
  - 01 Jun 2015
    10:49 am
great idea. We will try this

- - kathryn said
  - 31 May 2015
    11:45 am
What a great project…love this idea