Planting Seeds for Bonsai, Part 1, The Bonsai Zone, June 2021

[@skippserrano6771]

Here’s one for you, Nigel. I live in Florida and love spending some time at the beach. A few months ago I was walking on the beach and Found an almond floating on the surf. I picked it up and brought it home. I let it dry for a week or so then I peeled all the dry pulp away and Clipped the end of the shell to allow moisture to reach the seed inside. I planted it damp sphagnum moss and soon found it had rooted . About two months ago I potted the seedling in some of my bonsai soil. Today I’m the proud owner of a twelve inch high almond seedling. To tell the truth I had no expectations that the seed would be viable. After all, who knows how long that almond had been in the ocean or how far it had traveled. I’m just glad it found me.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That's an awesome story, good stuff!

[@davidjohnson7508]

Your story about the squirrels eating your acorns made me think of my backyard this year. The squirrels must have planted your acorns in my backyard. About 8 seedlings have popped up. What goes a ground, comes a ground. l agree with you Nigel, if you do bonsai you are never too old to plant seeds for future bonsai. That way you transfer your knowledge to the future generation of bonsai growers and give back what our fore Mothers and Fathers in the bonsai community have given us.

[@judahrex]

Wow Nigel. Just, wow. Loving this episode. All my trees are from seed as well. I have a apple, grapes, limes and orange tree now. And as always, ACACIAS.

[@mattbrennan647]

Wow! Those seeds are tough monkeys. The oscillating sander added quite a new dimension to the hobby. Thanks

[@Werd2jaH]

Yessssss I’ve been anticipating a seed planting vid for sometime now! Doesn’t disappoint at all. Nice one Nigel!

[@patsfreund9164]

Love this video. Never thought of using a thermos for soaking the seeds in hot water. Such a great idea. I learned something new to try with propagation from seeds. Thanks!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The water in the thermos was still quite hot to the touch today, it was one of the good old fashioned glass thermos!

[@mindfulmusicing7900]

Hi Nigel ! I'm so glad to see you planting those seeds. I had lost track of your channel for a while and was just catching up on these summer videos. Ive also gotten a few seedlings started from that same baobab tree so I'm very excited to see how yours progress.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Many thanks, they are doing really well!!!

[@FlorenceChandotCA]

I've always wanted to plant Cinnamonum camphora - they grow wildly and hugely in Hong Kong, developing a bit of a gnarled 'fairy tree' sort of aesthetic in their native habitat. Never got in to it - the potential required space is intimidating! Anyhow, I really quite enjoy the seed planting, germinating, and growing process. Anyone who tells you it's not worthwhile isn't fully experiencing bonsai. Of *course* one shouldn't rely 100% upon seed-grown material for something to work with, but it can be surprising just how fast material can grow and be usable under the right conditions. Good on you, Nigel, and looking forward to seeing the results!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Florence, I'll keep everyone updated!

[@ThrillerBonsai]

Awesome trees you managed to grow from seeds! Pleasure watching them! I use nail cutter to damage the hard seed coat, work really well for me..

[@jballenger9240]

Howdy. Really like the soft, soothing colors of the seed pods and fruit. I see, or imagine, a similarity in the shape of the leaves on your seedlings and the shape of the pods: what can be and from which it comes. The joys of life: planting fruit tree seeds and holding ducklings! All is beautiful and good in your neck of the woods 🌱🌱🌱

[@natalyprotaly2667]

Your trees are so beautiful! Best wishes from Crimea!

[@growgardening]

Thanks Nigel, you inspired me to do seed to bonsai. I also have lemon, pomelo, acacia bonsai trees from seed, and tried baobab and sequoia without much success. I also tried Japanese black pines but it is too hot for pines here. Keep going! You're the best!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks so much and best of luck with your seeds!!!!

[@bazejjaworski9021]

I love updates of trees started from a seeds! :)

[@ashleybonner5423]

Hey Nige! I've just planted those Ficus benjamina and dwarf Schefflera seeds I told you about last week. Can't wait for them to sprout! I soaked the schefflera seeds in hot water overnight so hopefully I've done it right!

[@rajivrathod132]

excited to see the new seeds grow into beatuful trees

[@GrantGreetings]

You have a beautiful bonsai collection. I found some baby cedar trees and pulled them out of the ground. They have good roots so going to try to put them in little pots and keep them pruned back. Hoping they make good bonsai for me.

[@OddBonsai]

I liked the drum sander approach. That's a lot of future baobab trees. I think it must be great to grow one of these as bonsai. I have to buy some seeds and try growing one.

[@abhinav3101]

Cute duckling 🦆

[@dk2614]

Woo hoo! You got them!

[@unclesham5507]

Brilliant idea to use the drum sander!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It saved me hours of work, some people use an angle grinder, but that seems a little dangerous!

[@Liisa3139]

@@TheBonsaiZone And you got your nails done too!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

@@Liisa3139 Indeed I did!

[@acheronexile]

Maple seed, gift from god, yes indeed!

[@beardedbonsai]

Cool I can't wait to see them sprout.

[@TheRogueRockhound]

Wonder if you could put the seeds in a vibratory polisher to remove the coating.

[@farmert9679]

Yes, squirrels do dig up seeds. I know how you feel. By me the squirrels dig up my avocado seeds and bite into them, even the ones that started to sprout, thus, the demise of the plant. I feel your pain. Great video by the way. Excellent!

[@AnimeJKid]

Exciting video!

[@peterw2845]

Hi Nigel , fascinating as always , can you tell us the address where we can send you items please .

[@WiLheLmPhoeniX]

I'm also planning to grow a delonix regia from a seed, just waiting for the seed pods from a nearby tree to be ready for harvesting.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It looks like they are fast growers!

[@spiritwynd]

If these seed's are as hard as locust tree seeds, you can use nail clippers to chip off the sides of them.

[@8BiT_fpv]

Speaking of seeds, how are the sugar and jack pines doing Nigel?

[@queentatoune]

Growing from seed must be so exciting! At this point in my life I have been moving internationally every couple of years, thus having to leave all my houseplants behind everytime so I haven't wanted to try growing bonsai for that reason. But I might just give it a go anyway, and hopefully I can find other bonsai enthusiasts to give the trees away when I leave. Can anyone recommend some species, suitable to grow as a bonsai and that would do okay being indoors the whole year?

[@firefades3604]

3:11 isn't mimosa supposed to close the leaves when you touch it? I have a little one im growing as a bonsai, they grow like weed where I live, beautiful stuff as always Nigel

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Some species do, these just close up at night or in the hot sun.

[@firefades3604]

@@TheBonsaiZone good stuff, yeah I know monkey ear also has that ability to close leafs at night, they the national trees here in Costa Rica, awesome tropical place to grow bonsai, hope your seedlings grow beautifully

[@emmitstewart1921]

The sensitive plant , Mimosa Pudica, closes it's leaves when touched. It is not a tree. The mimosa tree, Albizia julibrissin, is a different plant. In Australia, some members of the genus Acacia, are also called mimosa.

[@tomsmith2215]

mimosa silk from florida, etc. just close at night, not by touch. the brazil rain tree looks similar and does with touch. silk mimosa are tough to bonsai despite them being invasive and strong growers. mine didnt survive hardcut this spring

[@michealdescande9320]

Baobab from Hawaii I live in south Africa and they grow willd here but Hawaii never heard of that before

[@GreenJuice24]

Hello all, I have a question about the growth of a bonsai. I have a ligustrum that has an S-shape. I wonder if it is possible to achieve new growth from shoots on the free trunk. Is there a method to make this possible. My idea was to turn the free areas towards direct sunlight. I have already done this unconsciously with my jade tree and it got new shoots on the trunk area. Is this a legitimate method or have you had other experiences? I am really looking forward to your answers. Have a nice day guys.

[@sophiaangelini4368]

The Zone The Ficus Microcarpa (former seed) in its (new 3D?) pot is glorious

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Sophia, I can't help looking at it every time I walk past!

[@gabcudia9381]

nigel do you have eatern hemlock bonsai?

[@williamwoody7607]

Where can a get Baibab seeds? Or Lignum Vitae?

[@michaelbahr7267]

i just planted giant sequoia seeds today. i hope it's not too hot.

[@comedybuzz1672]

Can you come to UK and visit herons bonsai pleaseeeeeeeee

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Some day I will!

[@cityants1166]

Really great video!

[@lukasmihara]

I hope my 蝋梅 _rôbai_ (chimonanthus praecox) seedling from Japan that I planted last year will grow healthily and have some flowers and then seeds in a few years, so I can send you some! The leaves are fairly small and the flowers have a nice scent, so I believe you'd like the plant, too.

[@dabblingwithbonsai]

All the seeds!

[@ИнгаИванова-ц4ь]

Sumptuously. Please, ficus Melanie show?

[@RosarioCostanzo]

Hi Nigel, how could I send you seeds too? If you haven't enough of them😂

[@shvshvhkv8608]

👌👌👌...!!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Sunit!!!!

[@waterlover]

Many years to wait

[@dragaumchineis5070]

Bom dia!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Dragaum!

[@robk5865]

Love it. Has anyone tried using pro gro bokashi for bonsai? Canadian company, organic ammendment...creates a lovely layer of fuzzy white mycelium when applied as a top dress on my tomatoes. Trees preferring a fungal dominant soil might thrive with this feed

[@donnanoble9956]

I’m hoping for an update on the pregnant kitty.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

We haven't seen the cat for a long time now, I'm hoping it has a home and it's raising the kittens.

[@sproutingresilience4787]

I had walnuts on my deck and the squirrels ransacked them yesterday

[@mysteriousworldofplants]

Did you know that people make coffee out of baobab seeds .

[@Bw40099]

hello!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello!

[@jamestropicals2025]

Foist

[@dubsydabster]

!!!!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

James aims and ends Foist!