Page 28 - Tài liệu Ebook cây cảnh Bonsai Basics

30 OBTAINING YbUR BONSAI
Packet of selected seeds and container filled with
sand, ready for stratification.
Spread the seeds over the moist sand covering the
base of the container.
After spreading the seeds over the sand, cover them
with wet sand and .. . wait. Seeds may be ready to
sow in the spring.
normal sized progeny if not specially
treated to produce bonsai, just as seeds
intended to produce normal trees can
also form bonsai. A word about the
magnificent trees often pictured on seed
packets. These are superb examples of
what can be achieved but not the kind of
result you can rely upon if you buy the
packet. Many enthusiasts who have not
been forewarned have been disap-
pointed by not producing as fine a
specimen as the one shown on the packet
or in the catalogue.
Preparing the seeds
Whereas many of the smaller seeds can
be sown directly in autumn or spring,
this is not the case for the larger seeds,
particularly if they have a hard coating
like a shell. This is true of most tree seeds.
They should be left to soak in tepid water
for at least 24 hours. If the protective
coating is hard or thick, it may be
necessary to make an incision, without
damaging the seed inside. If the seed is
protected by an outer shell, this should
be carefully broken open with pliers,
taking care not to crush the seed.
Often the seed will not germinate
without special treatment, known as
stratification. This technique consists of
forming alternate layers of seeds and
moist sand. This softens the seeds and
helps them to germinate, which consider-
ably increases the chances of success. Be
prepared to wait, as this form of seed
preparation may take several months or
a year, depending on the species.
Before sowing, it is worth soaking the
seeds in disinfectant to limit the risk of
fungal diseases when the seedlings start
to sprout (e.g. damping off disease of
seedlings). However, as damping off is
one of the most likely causes of failure
with seedlings, you should be prepared
to spray or dust with a fungicide within a
few days of the seeds germinating.
If you are using bought seeds, check
the packet to make sure that the seeds are
not out of date as failure will be higher
than normal.