Page 192 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

Bonsai from the The repotted seedling

very beginning

It takes many years of patient care and the
correct cultivation to create a masterpiece
bonsai—but it helps if the tree is set in the

right direction from year one. In many ways
the first few steps are the most important: this
is how to start the journey on the right foot.

These Japanese
black pines were
sown in spring Raising trees from seed
and are now
approximately Bonsai seeds are exactly the same as
six months old those that grow into normal trees: there
is nothing special about them. What is
special is the way in which seedlings
are treated after germination.

∙The seeds of each species require
different processes of stratification,
sowing, and soil to thrive, so refer
to the instructions supplied, or buy
seedlings from a bonsai nursery.
∙To create a compact tree with lots
of compact branches, you also need
a compact and well-branched root
system. To achieve this, prune the
roots of your seedlings during the
first year after germination.
∙Do not put all your eggs in one basket:
sow and plant about 100 seeds. After
a few years, give half of them away to
friends, and wire the remaining trees.
After a more few years, reduce these
to the best ten, and so on—until you
are left with one incredible tree and
you have spread the joy of bonsai to
another 99 people.