bonsai-ing experiment

[finnisferal]

i'm new to bonsai trees and i just bought a bunch of random seeds to try and grow. i will list them below and hopefully someone will have some advice for how to bonsai them. i'm aware that some or all of these trees may be difficult to bonsai or might not survive at all. i just want to learn

species:
coffee arabica (arabica coffee shrub)
arbutus menziesii (pacific madrone)
sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia)
eucalyptus deglupta (rainbow eucalyptus)
tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock)
ginkgo biloba (ginkgo tree)

i'm in illinois zone 6 and they will be started indoors. i'll take advice on practically anything but i'm looking for specifics on stratification, growing medium, how they tolerate pruning, and any relevant experience regarding these species. have at it (and be nice.)

 

[Orion_metalhead]

My recommendation for the Ginkgo and hemlock is dont start them indoors. Stratify them outdoors as if the seed were naturally dispersed. This is how I have stratified my ginkgo seeds in the past as well as this past fall. I have about 100 seedlings here.




They will just sit all winter under my bench, the seed tray/box surrounded with mulch.

The tropicals you can start any time indoors under grow lights and you shouldnt need any stratification, but you may need to scarify the seed coat or follow some other process.

 

[doc spring _work]

Sequoia also do not like it inside, recommend large outdoor planter box

 

[Shibui]

i'm new to bonsai trees and i just bought a bunch of random seeds to try and grow.

You may not be aware that starting from seed is a very slow way to bonsai. It's often 4-10 years before you actually get to do any bonsai-ing if starting from seed.
It may cost a little more but starting with a potted tree will usually save you 2-3 years and you can start right away with some plants.
Digging up an older plant can be even faster. You could be starting with a 10 or 20 year old trunk so just have to develop the branching and, usually, a new apex.

You've also chosen some challenging species for bonsai. I recommend starting out with some tried and true, easy to manage species until you learn the basics of repotting, watering, fertilising and trimming then set yourself a challenge of working with more difficult species.

 

[doc spring _work]

The best choice for a beginner in the US (in my opinion) would be a bald cypress, it gives you the exp of a little bit of conifer and a bit of deciduous.

Incredibly tolerant and grows quite fast, further if you can't over water them so it helps with the hardest part for beginners.

Plenty of sellers of great mature materials here on b-nut or if you want to start super young the arbor day foundation does sell them as seedlings.. think 1.75 for 50 but they only sell seedlings in bulk so
That would be my suggestion.. you'll want mature specimens to play with and 50 bald cypress would be more then enough for you.. hell join a club near you and share a few, work on them as a group.

 

[penumbra]

It is a peculiar list of plants you have chosen. IMO, some of these will not make decent bonsai unless in the hands of an expert in a climate suited for them. It is more like a dream list of plants you have seen pictures of that fascinate you. Some of these plants I would never attempt and some I have attempted and failed. Ginkgo should be sown outside as has been mentioned. Likewise for the hemlock. In about 4 to 5 years you can think about beginning training them. Good luck, but change your approach. There is a pretty healthy bonsai community in your neck of the woods, take advantage of it.

 

[Carol 83]

Welcome! I am from Illinois as well. I would second the suggestion to pick up a couple of cheap trees just to keep your interest. Growing from seed is a long process. Good luck!