Bonsai is the art form of growing miniature trees in a small tray to look like an aged sapling that is grown outdoors. The trees are grown from the same seeds that a full size tree will grow from, only the roots are trimmed and grown in a shallow ceramic pot to keep them in miniature.
Bonsai trees can be grown from hundreds of different species, but how successful they will be depends on the climate they are grown in. When choosing what bonsai seed to use, it is important to research which sapling will flourish in your area.
CHINESE JUNIPER BONSAI SEEDS
Chinese juniper seeds will grow into magnificent miniature saplings if properly trained. This popular bonsai tree has admirable evergreen foliage that is low and spreads wide. It is a common tree that adapts easily in many climates, and can be fashionably trained.
DAWN REDWOOD BONSAI SEEDS
The dawn redwood was thought to be extinct, until about 60 years ago when it was found in a remote forest in the Chinese providence of Szechwan. A Boston nursery sent a team to collect seeds, and this deciduous tree is now found in various places throughout the world. A mature dawn redwood could grow to almost 100 feet, but a trained bonsai will stand anywhere from three to six feet tall. Its green needles are attractive and makes for a great conversational piece for bonsai enthusiasts.
JAPANESE RED PINE BONSAI SEEDS
The Japanese red pine is a popular seed to use as a bonsai, due to the excellent foliage and decorative bark. The trunk is usually crooked, or leans to one side, which makes for a glorious bonsai. The foliage ranges from bright bluish green to nice olive green color. The Japanese red pine is very popular because it requires little maintenance.
JAPANESE FLOWERING CHERRY BONSAI SEEDS
The beautiful Japanese flowering cherry tree is an early April bloomer that has become increasingly popular. The fully aged flowering cherry tree will grow up to 30 feet, but trained as a bonsai will stand about 3 feet. It should be introduced to well-drained soil and kept in plenty of sunlight.
BALD CYPRESS BONSAI SEEDS
The attractive bald cypress is a popular deciduous conifer that is native to the southern United States. This large tree can grow over 100 feet tall, and live for over 4,000 years. The bald cypress can be grown in many climates, but is generally found in swampy areas in the south. The overly large trunk looks amazing, even as a miniature bonsai tree.
HOW TO PLANT YOUR SEEDS
Growing a bonsai from a seed can be an intimidating, but very rewarding process for a bonsai enthusiast. Using seeds, instead of an existing tree with roots takes many months to germinate. If you don’t want to wait for the seeds to germinate, you can use a technique call stratification (artificial winter) and refrigeration. When the seed is ready they should be soaked overnight, before spreading multiple seeds throughout the tray. Plant the seed with easily drainable soil, so that they receive plenty of water and air. After planting, let Mother Nature take its course and wait for your beautiful bonsai to sprout.
Bonsai is the art form of growing miniature trees in a small tray to look like an aged sapling that is grown outdoors. The trees are grown from the same seeds that a full size tree will grow from, only the roots are trimmed and grown in a shallow ceramic pot to keep them in miniature.