Page 165 - Tài liệu cây cảnh Bonsai4me Bonsai Basics

plants.

There are also many retail outlets that sell 'bonsai seed'. It should be noted
that there is no such thing as 'special seed for bonsai', bonsai are created from
ordinary trees not 'special bonsai varieties'. Packets of 'bonsai seed' are generally
very overpriced and can be misleading, they simply contain seeds from trees that
are suitable for use as bonsai.
Some species of trees are relatively easy to grow from seed, Maple species,
Black Pine, Scots Pine, Zelkovas, Beech and Larch are all species that are easy
to germinate from seed. Others such as White Pine, Hornbeam and Needle
Junipers can be more difficult.
Though seed is very cheap and easy to obtain, it does have some drawbacks
when propagating plants. It is a very slow process; seeds can take many months
to germinate, some species can take a number of seasons for their seed to
germinate and many species need exacting conditions to begin the process of
germination. Many types of seed require periods of cold or mild temperatures or
wet weather before they will begin the process of germination.
When seeds have been successfully germinated, young seedlings will need a

number of seasons of vigorous growth before they have thick enough trunks to
warrant their use as bonsai. Typically, a tree grown from seed will take a further
4 or 5 years of vigorous growth to achieve a trunk just an 1" across. There are
also many species of trees that readily cross pollinate and their seed will nearly
always produce hybridized plants which may not display all the qualities of the
parent plant.
However, growing a tree from seed and watching it mature into a bonsai is
an experience that every serious enthusiast dreams about and trees that are
grown from seed, from their very inception, are a reflection of their owners
patience.
Germinating Seed

The ability of a seed to germinate depends on a number of factors; the
quality of the seed or even whether it is still viable, the time of year, surrounding
temperatures and importantly the temperature the seed has been previously
exposed to, the manner of collection and storage, and importantly the matter of
individual species' dormancy requirements.
It is preferable to try to use fresh seed that has ripened within the past
growing season; some trees seed can have a relatively short life span compared
to flower or vegetable seed and old seed may not be viable any more.
Seeds are biologically programmed to germinate in their native habitat when
growing conditions are at their most favourable. For most species, this means