Complete newbie - growing from seed (UK, zone 9a)

[ForeverRaynning]

I know growing from seed is a very slow way, at least a year if not two before being able to add a single wire, no doubt at least a decade or two to get a decently sized trunk/tree (though I suppose it depends on other factors too). But I’m young and have plenty of years ahead of me to devote to growing them.

As for air layering, unsure if I could find anything decent to air layer anyway.

Nursery stock being grown woth straight trunks may be why procumbens nana was recommended as thats groundhunnging so will naturally have a more curvy trunk. Will have to see somw for myself.

Interestingly enough, my neighbour has apparently uprooted an entire tree from her back garden, no idea what she’s done with it though, sounds like a proper full size tree though that shes chopped back and also dug up?? May have to go investigate… if it has roots, can it be chopped right back to just a trunk and the bud new branches out of that? May be no good anyway, but if its possible to do that it may be something to try, if its salvagable.

Any good bonsai books recommendations? I know someone mentioned Modern Bonsai Practice: 501 Principles, but its not the cheapest to start with (but if its worth it, I’m not agaisnt a good book, especially hardbacks).

Thank you both for the encouragement. Hopefully bonsai does help bring me out of my shell a bit more.

 

[ForeverRaynning]

The tree was actually just chunks of trunk, no root ball. So wasn’t any use I don’t think (and possibly was dead, unknown).

Rest of the pines still not showing any signs of sprouting, thermometer said the soil temp around 30C (the outer bit of the seed tray is black so probably been heating the air around the cells?) how accurate that is I have no idea, but should certainly be warm enough for them to grow, watered them again (just the non sprouted ones, watered the growing one the other day) so will wait and see, but I assume they’re dead seeds, can’t see any roots or anything underneath like I can on the already sprouted one. When should I re pot the sprouted one? Not sure what pot size would even be best, if its outside I obviously have space for larger pots, not sure how fast they fill pots once lateral roots start. Think it just has the taproot at the moment, I know that’ll need cutting off at some point, heard people sometimes cut them off even as seedlings?

 

[Paradox]

You never know what you might find a a nursery. Yes most of the time most things are straight trunks but sometimes you can find a potential gem.

I do know they cut seedings at some point but I don't grow from seed so I can't advise you on that

 

[Paradox]

Any good bonsai books recommendations? I know someone mentioned Modern Bonsai Practice: 501 Principles, but its not the cheapest to start with (but if its worth it, I’m not agaisnt a good book, especially hardbacks).

Thank you both for the encouragement. Hopefully bonsai does help bring me out of my shell a bit more.

The modern bonsai practice is good and a worthwhile purchase if you can get it.
Also Principles of Bonsai design by David Degroot is also a very good investment.

 

[TomB]

The books that have been mentioned are very good but probably not what you need right now. Try this one, which is a comprehensive introduction written from a UK perspective:

Bonsai by Peter Warren [Book1409344088] - £16.99 : British Bonsai, The UKs Top Online Bonsai Tree Shop

British Bonsai Bonsai by Peter Warren [Book1409344088] - Pages: 224 Size: 195 x 233 mm Format: Hardback Notes: The new "Bonsai Bible". We worked heavily on this book with DK & orchistrated Peter's involvement in the book. Loads of photos of our own trees & around the nursery. Peter Warren is an...

britishbonsai.co.uk

(Available from lots of places, this was just a handy link).

 

[TomB]

Also, again from a UK perspective, I’ve never seen a juniper worth buying in a UK garden centre. If you go to regular nurseries (as opposed to specialist bonsai nurseries), look at the hedging material where you will find yew, hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple, privet, beech - all of which are suitable for getting started with. You can easily put together an attractive group planting with a handful of beech for example.

 

[ForeverRaynning]

Also, again from a UK perspective, I’ve never seen a juniper worth buying in a UK garden centre. If you go to regular nurseries (as opposed to specialist bonsai nurseries), look at the hedging material where you will find yew, hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple, privet, beech - all of which are suitable for getting started with. You can easily put together an attractive group planting with a handful of beech for example.

This is good to know. I’ll be looking at normal nurseries/garden centres so should be able to find hedge plants there (presumably at lower prices too compared to
specialist nurseries). Will keep an eye out for the types mentioned.

Thanks also for the book recommendation!

 

[TomB]

If it’s realistic for you, think about a trip to Greenwoods nursery - https://www.bonsai.co.uk/

 

[ForeverRaynning]

General seed update - left the pine out for 12h so far (I keep forgetting and/or going “I’m sure it’ll be fine if I leave it a bit longer”) and its now 10pm, I’m very tempted to just leave it out overnight and see how it fares. Also not sure if its mildly sunburnt? Seems a bit pale, unless its forming a protective coating because of the hardening off? Only had one decently sunny day and I kept it in as much aun as possible which may have done it, but its cloudy for the next few days so hopefully it’ll settle, looks like there some new growth slowly starting so it can’t be too stressed? It did start to open back up a bit one day but has gone back to its more closed upright position again, hope it’s ok.

I get to plant two more seed types tomorrow! I prepped the seed trays today ahead of time, left those outside too. I put the seeds in cold strat quite late at night so not sure if i should wait till Thursday to plant them or just do them tomorrow - either morning or night, not sure how many hours of cold strat they actually need, just rough days, but I know its stored/accumulative and that when out of cold strat, those stored hours dissapear in proportionate measure, if that makes sense. So don’t want to plant them before they’ve accumulated enough as I’d just be undoing the cold strat and they’ll stay dormant.

I’m not very good with a watering can, not sure if its me or the nozzle though, if i tilt it enough it sprays normally, otherwise i just get more of a… hose type jet? So ends up quite harsh. Maybe need to go back to bottom watering, just don’t want it to rain and have them sit in stagnant water, so will have to use the outer trays to bottom water then take them away, just leave the cells. But they’re transparent, not sure if thats maybe affecting the roots as they’ll be getting light too?

Thankfully no pigeons or blackbirds have tried to take my seedling. Not sure if they’ll try with the seeds or not though. Hopefully not. Our dog has also left them alone which is great.

It's been nice to diligently take the seed tray outside, I’ve actually enjoyed it. Also been sitting outside with them for a few minutes every so often, just to look at my little pine seed and make sure its still there. Been a pleasant change from staying indoors all day.

 

[ForeverRaynning]

Visited my grandad today, he’s found a sycamore growing in his rhubarb and a horse chestnut somewhere else on the allotment too! So said I can have them, planning to go down tomorrow morning and dig them up. So there we go, some ‘bigger’ trees!

Also told us where there used to be a bonsai nursery really close nearby, but he isn’t sure if its still there.

 

[ForeverRaynning]

Made a thread for the collected trees - here.

Also repotted the young pine into a new pilot with compost from my grandad's allotmant/plot. No idea if it was a good idea or not but I’m sure I’ll find out in a few days haha.