Starting Up

[Gatesy]

I don't even know what got me interested in trying bonsai but I decided I would give it a go.

Obviously it can be expensive initially but I improvise a lot.

So far I just pulled a couple of pine trees from the woods behind my house. I walked around for about 10-15 minutes and found some decent looking ones.

I'm starting with pine (not sure of the specific type) because there are a lot of them around here and for the most part pines are hardier. The ones I dug up are doing good so far.
I started by digging it up and cutting the taproot and leaving the rest of the roots intact. Then put it back in a mix of bonsai soil and soil that I dug from around it so it would go into shock (not sure if that's the appropriate term, I've only ever heard it called soil shock.)

I actually started working one yesterday after having in the pot for a few months.
For the most part all I really did was trim the roots a little and then take off a few smaller branches at the bottom.

And since I don't like to waste I went ahead and dipped what I cut off into some rooting hormone to see if I could get anything out of them.

I put a few pictures below.


What would be some good trees to start from seeds and where are some good places to get seeds from?

I actually ordered some from Dallas Bonsai but I'm not sure if I'm going to give them any more business because when I made an order, they accidentally shipped me a book that was intended for another customer. At first I thought it was a "thanks for shopping here" gift but then looked and saw it was a $70 book. So I eventually found out it was supposed to go to a buyer in FL. I told the seller and he agreed to refund the cost of shipping the other buyer his book.
I've yet to hear from him after a month.


I'm familiar with basic gardening sense because I've worked with my dad with a vegetable garden for years and a lot of it transfers over but this is still a little different.

 

[cmeg1]

Well,I am sorry to hear you had a bad experiance with Dallas Bonsai,for that is my favorite seed place.I am not sure where you live,but after about five years of sowing seed,I have the most fun from Japanese Black Pine and Japanese Zelkova.Bonsai Today #71(from stonelantern.com)has article for Zelkova from seed.The 'Pines' book(also from stonelantern.com) is the best I have come across for Japanese Black PIne from seed,the colander method explained.I would stick with Dallas Bonsai for the seed.It is very viable.And purchase more than you think you need cause' you only have one chance a year.You want hords of seedlings to choose from.Pine and zelkova have near 100% success as long as you use a sterile seed compost or grow mix.And start in pots or bonsai pots,then pluck out to individual pots.Stratification instructions are on the back of the seed packets of Dallas Bonsai.The two species I mentioned have something like 40-60 days cold sratification.I use fungicide- water moistened peat moss in zip-lock bags.I squeeze all the water out till' like the last drip,then put in salad crisper in bottom of fridge.I left a couple pictures of my two favorite seed varieties...Zelkova and JBP.The zekova is in first growing season and the JBP are in their second season.And also,the 'Pines' book shows great approaches to care for pine.

 

[CorinneL]

I am also just starting this journey - and this is what I have done. I purchased a Chinese Elm that is probably a couple years old with some ramification that I can start practicing pruning come spring. I also purchased several Norfolk Island Pine seedlings from a local nursery that I can play with indoors this winter. And then I collected seeds from the berries of a Mountain Ash tree - very popular native tree here - that I will plant soon and stratify outdoors this winter and hope they start come spring! I also plan to try some cuttings from my Serviceberry shrub this summer.

Can't wait to see how things go

 

[Gatesy]

I live in Southern Illinois. Sorry I thought I typed it.
What is the ideal time to start seeds? I'm sure it varies by tree. Like I said I'll probably start with coniferous trees.
We usually have cold wet winters and hot humid summers so they biggest thing I expect problems with is mold and fungus. I tried growing wheatgrass for juicing but couldn't keep the mold under control. I thought about buying a uv light for it.
I actually tried a batch of different seeds but didn't use any fungicide and I think that's why a lot of them didn't make it.
Also what is the recommended method or scarification?
One of my friends is majoring in botany and horticulture he said rather than hot water they usually knick the seed with a blade or put it on the ground and grind it under your heel for a twist or two.

 

[jkd2572]

What are you trying to do? Start seedlings or make bonsai?both start the same way unless you want to save 25 Years or 100 years

 

[Gatesy]

I just figured I could do both.
Obviously starting my own takes time.
I'll probably buy some trees and work them but I don't think anyone would dispute that you get more personal satisfaction out of looking at a plant you took care of from seed to what it's become.

 

[cmeg1]

Well,you want to start the 40-60 day stratification on zelkova and JBP so it is finished when you normally plant your vegatable garden.In zone 7 the stratification should end around May 1st.The two varieties I mentioned do not need scarification(nicking of the shell).I have never done scarification cause' I never had the patience.I never liked seed that takes long to stratify.The two I mentioned coupled with the articles and book I mentioned will produce a nice small bonsai in 6-10 years.There are pictures in the article and book.

 

[cmeg1]

After some time thinking,I decided to tell you exactly what I learned,to help.If you like conifers from seed,I would get the 'Pines' book from stone lantern.That book will keep you on track with pines from seed.It gives a very tried and true way to develop,rather quickly,JBP bonsai from seed without wasting time and it is tailored to your growing region.Any other conifer from seed is probably a dissapointment for us beginner's along with any other deciduous tree from seed,unless you have very good forsight and determination and patience to make very small bonsai without any instruction or guidance whatsoever.It is rare.You might end up passing by a few years without producing anything.You got to watch out for it.I have done it.
It is so tempting for us beginner's who want to grow from seed to want all the different variety's.I would have avoided it if I knew what I know now.I hope this helps you,have fun!

 

[Dav4]

Hard to tell from your pics in the first post, but those seedlings don't look like pines to me...probably eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana. Also, your potting medium appears to be regular potting soil...it will retain way to much moisture and likely lead to root problems.

 

[Gatesy]

It's a little bit of moisture control potting soil on the bottom but most of it is Tony Roots bonsai soil.

I wouldn't be surprised if its not a pine tree. I don't really identify trees often.
I usually identify it by the trunk because every time storms bring down trees we cut them for firewood so I know what is worth cutting.

 

[Dav4]

It's a little bit of moisture control potting soil on the bottom but most of it is Tony Roots bonsai soil.

I wouldn't be surprised if its not a pine tree. I don't really identify trees often.
I usually identify it by the trunk because every time storms bring down trees we cut them for firewood so I know what is worth cutting.

It can be very helpful knowing and understanding the species of trees you trying keep alive in a pot. Bonsai is 90% horticulture and maybe 10% art...skimp on the horticulture side and you won't get very far.

 

[Gatesy]

The main reason I put the potting soil on the very bottom was as an base for the wire. It kept falling over with just the Tiny Roots soil.

That's why I'm just starting with trees that are native around here. I know they're used to the enviroment and then I just have to keep their soil in good condition.

 

[JudyB]

Gatesy, if you could, please go to your profile, and update your location, more people will be able to help you without constantly asking where you are...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

This is the right time of year to do some homework, not much bonsai work to do in fall, and what you are attempting will not work. Wrong timing, technique, and soil.

Cuttings are normally a spring activity, done in peat/perlite, with excellent drainage, and outside.

Not sure what you mean by using potting soil as a base for wires, but you can read on properly anchoring actual trees to pots by searching here, and most any bonsai blog/website. Done properly, wiring cuttings into a pot is unnecessary.