Tree seed germination methods

Seeds are protected from germination by something caller dormancy. This may case you to be less successful germinating tree seeds for bonsai.

How to break seed dormancy?
How do you get tree seeds or seed from a grow your own bonsai tree kit to germinate? Some basic pointers to get you started. From stratification to scarification.

When it comes to growing bonsai from seed, it is often difficult to get the seeds to germinate. Especially when bought from online traders where freshness of the seeds (e.g., in a bonsai starter kit) is no guaranteed. What can one do to maximize germination of seeds when growing bonsai from seed?

0:00 Introducing tree seed germination
0:38 Where do you get tree seeds for bonsai?
2:17 How to germinate tree seeds
4:52 Important terms for breaking seed dormancy
5:05 Understanding stratification
5:34 What is scarification of seeds
6:40 An example: Germinating Trident tree seeds
8:00 Germinating (black) pine seeds
8:52 Making seed germination easy
9:30 Germinating tree seed can fail.

Germinating oak seed by mamphis CC2.0

[TheBonsaiGarden]

Foist 👍

When trying stratification in a fridge or freezer I have only ever succeeded in getting rotten, moldy seeds. I always prefer to simply sow and leave outside over winter to replicate what would happen in nature.

[AlexBraunton]

Hi Jelle, I've been doing the "throw them in a pot and leave them to nature" approach for 2 years now and it seems to work ok. I'm not getting huge yields though. In Nov 2021, I planted 50 seeds and only 10 sprouted. From those 10, only 5 have made it through the first year.

I'm Nov 2022, I planted 150 seeds and I wait eagerly to see what results I get. This time I'm trying 5 different species! It's quite exciting.

[judymagrath]

Fantastic information - I just ordered 4 different types of seeds from a reputable bonsai vendor in Canada. You have inspired me!

[scarletfokx]

Great channel 👏 I'm currently trying my first ever bonsai and its a Wisteria tree.

[adambaumgarden]

Thank you for the info. I live in the United States and am trying to grow many of our native trees from seed for bonsai.

[bobcatbonsai]

Great information Jelle. Thank you for sharing!!

[natrjack]

What a fantastic video Jelle thanks for the advice 😀...

[deineath]

Thank you, Jelle. Another great informative video. I've been collecting JMs seeds from a Japanese garden nearby for the past couple years and eventually give them away after a year to my club members. This year surprisingly none of JMs near me had any seeds on, not a single one. Wondering what could cause that..!!

[daveiow]

Hi Jelle,
Thank you for another quality video. I have learnt so much from watching your videos, and always look forward to a new one. The timing for this is perfect as I have some seeds on order and some ready to sow. I’m trying some Black Pine and Trident Maple. Also waiting for some Pomegranate seeds in the post. Good luck to you 👍🏼

[g.i.t.i.]

Hello Jelle, thank you for your amazing videos! At 1:37 you are speaking about a tree seed dealer, can you please share the link? I'm not able to find a good one in Italy... Many thanks, and keep going!

[brianparnell]

I’ve got hundreds of seeds around the garden in trays and in the fridge in ziplock bags. Hopefully 🙏 a good year.

[JackC]

I wish I knew this 3 years ago. Again great information Jelle 👍

[XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Very informative but I doubt I have the patience to go through all that Jelle! Lots of valid points made - especially about buying 'starter bonsai kits'. I love that Black Pine by the way. I need to go and put those maple seeds in water first...glad i watched this. What was the second variety you sent me...I think it had AP on the bag? Cheers Xav

[scheers]

Good and clear explanation like always. Sow😂 happy I stumbled on your channel! Thanks and keep growing!

[KurisuBonsai]

Nice video! Ive got some beech seeds in the fridge that I'll plant soon and some maple seeds chilling in the greenhouse that got to minus 9 so pretty sure they'll be stratified by now!! Also some oaks too!

I'm also trying some juniper cuttings in a heated propagator but not sure how that will work out, I cut them back in September but no roots yet so seeing how it goes with heat!!

[stevek]

That's a pretty cool jacket you're wearing you share what brand/model it is ?

[EverydayTJ]

Having trouble finding a reliable site to buy seeds. Where do you get yours?

[FrostBiteBonsai]

Great information! I tend to collect my own seeds. Hit or miss if they sprout. I had some wintering in my trailer, unfortunately mice got in there and chewed through the containers and got all the seeds. Grrrr... I am looking for seed or tree bundles. Specifically Giant Sequoia. Every site I look, the reviews are awful. The seeds don't appear to be what they ordered, zero germinated. Some sites call the normal redwood and Giant Sequoia the same thing. Use the same latin name for what I know as three different types of tree. How do you know what to trust? Not just for these seeds, for all similar seeds, Maple types, Spruce types etc. I have not had success with maples yet. With some trial and error, I now have 100% success with apples... Keeping them alive after that is a different story LOL😕 I'm afraid to purchase online because I am not sure how to ensure I get the correct seeds.

[abydosianchulac]

I have my Stewartia pseudocamellia, heritage apple varietal, and Chinese fringe tree seeds stratifying in my fridge as we speak, so here's hoping they come out well (especially the Stewartia, since those naturally germinate 2 years after seed fall). Speaking of which, that's another place to possibly get seeds: if you have an arboretum near you, check to see if they have any trees you'd like seeds from. Sometimes they provide them to the public, but sometimes you can go and gather seeds and fruit *off the ground* in the autumn. This will ensure your seed is from parent plants hardy to your area. (Most places won't let you pick directly from the tree, and I absolutely have never done this. Nope. Never.)

[vartifexv.b.]

I need to know were buy the seeds. Someone know a responsable online shop that sheep word wide?