bh Japanese black pine

[nurvbonsai]

Hello,

I received some Japanese black pine seeds in the mail from BH. They are currently soaking and now I went to a box store to get a jump on the process.

Are these good options to get started?

 

[nurvbonsai]

This may not be the right time to plant seeds so can I leave them in a bag and air tight container for the remainder of the year?

 

[Russ1]

I put my seeds I harvested from my JBP in the Fall into the refrigerator until Feb then I soaked them a few days.
The seeds that sunk I planted in a shallowish, maybe 3" deep, terracotta pot and put my pine mix Bonsai soil in it, maybe 2", then about an inch of pool filter sand on top. I planted about 20 of the seeds in the sand about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in the sand and put it in my unheated Greenhouse and within a month they sprouted.
I don't know if refrigerating them after you soak them will be an issue or not and not sure if this is a good time to plant them.

 

[nurvbonsai]

I put my seeds I harvested from my JBP in the Fall into the refrigerator until Feb then I soaked them a few days.
The seeds that sunk I planted in a shallowish, maybe 3" deep, terracotta pot and put my pine mix Bonsai soil in it, maybe 2", then about an inch of pool filter sand on top. I planted about 20 of the seeds in the sand about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in the sand and put it in my unheated Greenhouse and within a month they sprouted.
I don't know if refrigerating them after you soak them will be an issue or not and not sure if this is a good time to plant them.

I do have this up and working now but I worry about growing seeds this winter.

 

[nurvbonsai]

Is this accurate?

 

[nurvbonsai]

Trying the stratification.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Once they germinate, they need sun.

My very first batch was sown in September, but I have super mild winters here with no freezing.

Waiting until late winter is the best option. Also, I have not needed to stratify my JBP seeds at all, just soak in water for a day. However, stratification can get you a slightly higher yield.

 

[nurvbonsai]

Thank you Wulf. Would I be okay putting them out once they germinate in the grow tent? In the middle of the winter?

Once they germinate, they need sun.

My very first batch was sown in September, but I have super mild winters here with no freezing.

Waiting until late winter is the best option. Also, I have not needed to stratify my JBP seeds at all, just soak in water for a day. However, stratification can get you a slightly higher yield.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Thank you Wulf. Would I be okay putting them out once they germinate in the grow tent? In the middle of the winter?

I don't know. If they do germinate in the middle of winter, I think I might keep them in a bright window until it warms up a bit, then move them outside permanently. I have no experience growing seedlings in a cold winter, so hopefully someone else can chime in.

 

[Russ1]

I would just put them out and let them do what they want naturally instead of forcing them to germinate then putting them out.

 

[nurvbonsai]

I would just put them out and let them do what they want naturally instead of forcing them to germinate then putting them out.

Even though it’s off season?

 

[Russ1]

Even though it’s off season?

If you move them outside after they germinate it will be worse I would think since they germinated in an un-natural environment.
Nature will let them sprout at the right time and they will be use to being outside, that's what has been happening for millions of years.
Besides you have already started the process by soaking them.
Others may disagree or have another idea but that's my take on it FWIW.

 

[Wulfskaar]

If you move them outside after they germinate it will be worse I would think since they germinated in an un-natural environment.
Nature will let them sprout at the right time and they will be use to being outside, that's what has been happening for millions of years.
Besides you have already started the process by soaking them.
Others may disagree or have another idea but that's my take on it FWIW.

I sprouted my first batch indoors under a cheap grow light in September, one of our hottest, driest months. As soon as I put them outside, they perked up, even with blazing summer heat.
https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/damping-off.46132/

BUT... I would be afraid to put fresh seedlings outside in freezing temps, so I think it would be best to keep them inside until it's not freezing anymore.

This is a good lesson, though. Life is much easier for tiny seedlings at the right time of year. I now only sow seeds in late winter/early spring.

 

[nurvbonsai]

Even though it’s off season?

The reason I ask is bc it seems like the winter could kill any chance for seedlings to grow no?

 

[Russ1]

It may slow down the growth when it gets to maybe 40. Deg but you probably a month more of growing. Than I do and I see tiny, less than an inch tall Austrian Black Pine and Junipers growing in pots of other trees, seeds landing there on their own, all the time with no protection and surviving our winters with no problem. Just give them a little protection from the extreme winds and cold. Roots grow even at 45 degrees. If you worry about it put half out and keep some in, experiment and learn.

 

[Wulfskaar]

It may slow down the growth when it gets to maybe 40. Deg but you probably a month more of growing. Than I do and I see tiny, less than an inch tall Austrian Black Pine and Junipers growing in pots of other trees, seeds landing there on their own, all the time with no protection and surviving our winters with no problem. Just give them a little protection from the extreme winds and cold. Roots grow even at 45 degrees. If you worry about it put half out and keep some in, experiment and learn.

I'm imagining freezing temps, which would probably kill them. Seems like they will germinate naturally at a better time, but in this case, he's germinating early while it's still cold out.

But yeah, if you have enough seeds @nurvbonsai, then no harm in experimenting.

 

[Russ1]

I'm imagining freezing temps

I have about 2 months before my first frost here and I imagine he has maybe a couple weeks to a month more. Even at that I won't see 28 deg, which I consider cold enough to do any damage, probably until mid to late November. I have planted Arugula in March, germinated and survived 28 deg temps, ground frozen, no problem, not even an Evergreen. I see you are not used to cold weather. (too many smiley faces to choose from)

 

[nurvbonsai]

I am in Zone 7 by the way.

 

[nurvbonsai]

I'm imagining freezing temps, which would probably kill them. Seems like they will germinate naturally at a better time, but in this case, he's germinating early while it's still cold out.

But yeah, if you have enough seeds @nurvbonsai, then no harm in experimenting.

I am in zone 7 by the way.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Before and after. I say figure out a way to support the existing sacrfice and grow a couple new ones. And do what BVF recommends. Wind may help thicken, but so does a ton of growth.