About tree seeds and bonsai seeds germination instructions

About Basic Care of SeedsThe next step is the cold stratification period. This
It is important to maintain the freshness of thestep is where all the magic of nature occurs. In
seeds in order to facilitate proper germination.nature, most of the seeds fall from the trees in
This is why we store all of our seeds in aautumn. Consequently, seeds spend the winter
refrigerator dedicated for this purpose. Therefore,period under colder temperature permitting the
in order to preserve their freshness until you arechemical in the seeds to develop and trigger the
ready to begin the germination process, you cangermination process once the ideal temperature is
store the purchased seeds in the plastic bag wereached in spring. In the forced germination
have provided. You can place the seeds in theprocess, you attempt to recreate the winter
vegetable drawer of your refrigerator.period. In order to accomplish this process, use
About Germination Instructionsthe following materials:
Once you are ready to germinate your seeds,Plastic Ziplock bag
you have two (2) germination methods: naturalPaper towel
germination or forced germination.Water
Natural germination: Sow seeds outside in autumn.Fold the paper towel in two and moisten with
Overwintering the seeds will accomplish all thewater. It should not be dripping wet but humid.
necessary natural processes seeds require toPlace your seeds on the humid paper towel and
germinate. Next spring, you should have sproutedfold it over the seeds. Place the paper towel with
seeds.the seeds in the ziplock plastic bag and store
With forced germination, you are accomplishingthem in your refrigerator for a period varying
the germination process artificially. Therefore, youfrom thirty (30) to one hundred and twenty (120)
will need to follow the steps listed below. Eachdays. We suggest that you check your seeds
seed is different. However most of them requireevery thirty (30) days in order to prevent rot
three (3) steps. Some may require more whileand allow for proper air circulation. You will also
others may require less. These steps are: thecheck for germinated seeds. If this is the case,
scarification, the stratification and sowing.take the germinated seeds and proceed to the
1 - Scarificationnext step. If not, wait the required period and
Each seed has a shell around the live inner part.then proceed to the next step.
Some are harder than others. The goal of the3 - Sowing
scarification process is to soften the shell andSowing can be accomplished in the ground or in a
allow water to reach the inner part of the seed.pot. You can use any soil suitable for planting and
You will scarify the seeds by placing them ingrowing. Make a small opening in the soil
water, usually a glass or a bowl, for a period of(approximately half (1/2) an inch deep), place the
twenty four (24) to forty eight (48) hours. Theseed in the opening and cover it with a few
norm appears to be the use of warm water.millimetres of soil. Keep the soil moist.
Some seeds require boiling water while othersExtra steps for certain species
require water at room temperature. Normally, theIf you choose to germinate your seeds via the
viable seeds will drown after the twenty four (24)forced germination process, you may be required
hour period while others will float on top. If thereto follow this extra step. This step takes place
are still seeds floating after the forty eight (48)prior to the cold stratification. All you have to do
hour period, you can discard them as they areis expose the seeds to ambient room
empty seeds. Once completed, you are ready totemperature for thirty (30) to ninety (90) days.
begin the next step ( please note that someThis is called heat stratification and is accomplished
seeds require you to proceed directly to the thirdby leaving the seeds exposed in a plate on your
step).desk. After you have achieved this step, you
2 - Cold Stratificationresume with cold stratification.