Page 29 - Tài liệu Ebook cây cảnh Bonsai Basics

OBTAINING YOUR BONSAI 31

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A sieve is essential for creating a fine-textured soil
mixture for seed-sowing.

Stratifying tree seeds.

Where to sow

SOIL
For most trees, the ideal compost for
seed-sowing consists of equal parts of
peat, loam and sand. This standard
composition can be adjusted to suit the
special demands of particular species.
Although this mixture suits most plants,
it cannot be used for heath land shrubs, FiUing a traditional clay pot with sieved compost
which need a very acid soil. mixture.
The best for these seedlings is pure
peat, or peat with sand. Take particular
care to ensure that the potting compost is moved to prevent them growing at the
kept moist. So as nol lo impede the same time as the tree seeds sown. Such
development of young roots, the potting 'weeds' are difficult to remove later
compost should be cleared of the larger without damaging the seedling.
impurities and any pebbles which it may
contain. It may even be useful to pass it CO TATNERS
through a coarse garden sieve. Any soil Once the seedling has sprouted its first
used to cover the seeds should be passed pair of leaves, it should be potted on
through a fine mesh garden sieve. To several times. Great care should be taken
prevent disease, the soil should be disin- not to damage the seedling or its roots.
fected with a product based on formalin The roots are especially delicate and
or with steam. This could produce good should not be pruned at this stage.
results with earth taken from nature, Therefore the container used for sowing
which should be carefully passed can be considered temporary and not as
through a sieve. Any unwanted seeds important as the tray in which the bonsai
and fragments of root should be re- will later be planted.