Bonsai seeds They are not special or different from any other tree; what makes a plant a bonsai is the cultivation and design technique. Starting from seed offers a total control of the formation From day one, greater adaptation to your climate and a very rewarding experience for those who enjoy patience.
Bonsai seeds: choosing the right species and the keys to success
Before buying, evaluate your local climate and the place where you will grow (very bright interior or exterior). For beginners, species of quick response and resistance such as Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), ficus (in mild climates or bright interior), pomegranate, ligustrum or cotoneaster. Species such as japanese maple, pines and junipers are excellent, but they usually require stratification and some more experience.
Quick Selection Tips: Choose deciduous If you are interested in seasonal changes and fine branching, choose conifers If you're looking for longevity and classic silhouettes, always check out the viability and freshness of the seeds and keep the envelope in a cool, dry place until sowing.
Pre-germination strategies: stratification and scarification
Many temperate climate species need cold wet to break the latency. The stratification It consists of keeping the seeds in a slightly moist substrate (peat/perlite or vermiculite) inside an aerated container in the refrigerator. Guideline ranges: deciduous trees such as maple or rowan require 6–12 weeks; conifers such as pines may need 4–8 weeksCheck humidity weekly and ventilate to prevent mold.
La scarification It helps with hard-coated seeds (e.g. legumes, some tropical species). It can be mechanical (light sanding of the testa), soak in warm water 12–24 h, or controlled thermal treatment. Do not over-file to avoid damaging the embryo.
Step-by-step sowing and germination conditions
Use an aerated and draining substrate: a mixture of akadama and pumice (70/30) or blond peat with perlite (60/40) if you do not have inert materials. Disinfect the substrate in a mild oven or with preventive fungicide to prevent damping-off.
Sowing at a depth of 2–3 times the size of the seed, with a low density to avoid competition. Keep the humidity constant by capillary irrigation or fine mist, without flooding. General optimum temperature: 18–24 ºC and bright indirect light. Ventilate mini-greenhouses daily to prevent excessive condensation.
The best natural time to sow outdoors is autumn (they germinate in spring and you avoid manual stratification). You can also do it by late winter If you've already stratified. Germination times range from 10 days to several weeks, depending on the species.
Seedling care and initial training
During the first year prioritize healthy growth: plenty of light, regular watering, and light fertilization during the growing season. The first transplant is done when the root ball shows signs of growth. abundant fine roots; using strainers or training pots accelerates root development.
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regular pruning to keep its size small and control its shape.
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You have to put a wire to give them a specific shape, guiding the growth of the branches.
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control irrigation since their roots do not have to grow very far.
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Fertilization to ensure that the plant receives the necessary nutrients due to the limited space in the pot.
- Transplant bonsais after a certain time will help the roots maintain their size and health.
Pinch off shoots to encourage fine branching; wire when the stems are flexible and check the wire periodically to avoid marks. In conifers, respect active candles; in deciduous trees, structurally prune them when they are dormant.
Bonsai sales online
At Unique Seeds we are dedicated to selling bonsais online. These are:
Japanese Maple Atro Purpurea Japanese Black Pine Chinese Sabina juniperus Japanese Black Pine Hinoki False Cedar Cotoneaster Horizontalis Pyracantha Coccinea Lawson's Cypress Ideal European Birch betula Lilo syringa vulgaris ideal Cornus Kousa Chinese Arabian Cherry Santa Lucia Manuco leptospermum
Our seed company We ship bonsai seeds for miniature trees called bonsais throughout Spain.
They are small trees or plants, with a component symbolic and ornamental. The precautions to take into account:
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regular pruning to keep its size small and control its shape.
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You have to put a wire on them to give them a specific shape, guiding the growth of the branches.
-
control irrigation since their roots do not have to grow very far.
-
Fertilization to ensure that the plant receives the necessary nutrients due to the limited space in the pot.
- Transplant bonsais after a certain time will help the roots maintain their size and health.
Growing bonsai from seed combines information, observation and perseverance: by choosing the species well, applying the appropriate seed preparation and caring for the seedling with bonsai criteria, you will enjoy unique trees that you have guided from their first sprout.