Ginkgo from seed

[Desert O'Piñon]

Assuming you followed these guidelines, I’d say it’s only a matter of time…

Oops. No warm stratification. These were shipped to me from California late last fall. I removed the fruit and they went straight into the fridge. I guess we'll see if I get any germination at all. I'm learning how much of bonsai (for me) is learning from my mistakes compared to successes.

 

[penumbra]

Oops. No warm stratification. These were shipped to me from California late last fall. I removed the fruit and they went straight into the fridge. I guess we'll see if I get any germination at all. I'm learning how much of bonsai (for me) is learning from my mistakes compared to successes.

Plant them in a flat and wait. If seeds are viable they will sprout. I find them exceedingly easy.

 

[MACH5]

Interesting question. The branch ramification is coming along pretty well, and I have shown it a couple times at our local club show. I don’t know if it will ever be something I’d show at a higher level just because they are oddball trees in pots.

First, it’s hard to compare ginkgo as a bonsai to how they age in nature, where they actually become majestic-looking trees with good striated bark and graceful branching. As bonsai, the bark doesn’t develop the same way, and the trunks tend to grow as a bulbous mass or a stick. The foliage is almost never in scale, so in leaf, they’re not convincing, and out of leaf, they’re not graceful.

Then, since they do grow different as bonsai, it’s hard to judge them using recognized bonsai aesthetics: radial nebari, mature bark, tapering trunk, graceful ramification, convincing representation of the tree in nature, etc. so they end up being “interesting” in a show, and then basically dismissed.

In addition to that, this tree is on the small side at ~20”. So it doesn’t have big presence compared to a lot of old ginkgo bonsai, which often have a fat trunk, and tall, but coarse branching.

To answer your question, if it was maybe 50-75% bigger and displaying a couple more courses of tertiary branching, I’d consider showing it.

I’d be curious if @William N. Valavanis or @MACH5 perceive ginkgo bonsai in shows similarly.

I think this is spot on! Although I would say this gingko with a few more years it's definitely show worthy particularly if it's presented as part of a three point display. Gingkos are quirky and a different animal altogether and why they should always be looked at based on its own merits. Prunus mume is another species that have their own particular quirks, charm and character.

When judging a tree, it should always be based on the merits of its own species. Comparing a gingko to a maple would be like comparing a kiwi to an avocado.

 

[Slippery Pete]

Interesting question. The branch ramification is coming along pretty well, and I have shown it a couple times at our local club show. I don’t know if it will ever be something I’d show at a higher level just because they are oddball trees in pots.

First, it’s hard to compare ginkgo as a bonsai to how they age in nature, where they actually become majestic-looking trees with good striated bark and graceful branching. As bonsai, the bark doesn’t develop the same way, and the trunks tend to grow as a bulbous mass or a stick. The foliage is almost never in scale, so in leaf, they’re not convincing, and out of leaf, they’re not graceful.

Then, since they do grow different as bonsai, it’s hard to judge them using recognized bonsai aesthetics: radial nebari, mature bark, tapering trunk, graceful ramification, convincing representation of the tree in nature, etc. so they end up being “interesting” in a show, and then basically dismissed.

In addition to that, this tree is on the small side at ~20”. So it doesn’t have big presence compared to a lot of old ginkgo bonsai, which often have a fat trunk, and tall, but coarse branching.

To answer your question, if it was maybe 50-75% bigger and displaying a couple more courses of tertiary branching, I’d consider showing it.

I’d be curious if @William N. Valavanis or @MACH5 perceive ginkgo bonsai in shows similarly.

Really fantastic explanation and answer, thanks! It’s funny how tough it can be to get a sense of scale from photos. I hadn’t thought about its height before you pointed it out, but now I realize I had assumed this was a smaller tree. I suppose given all the quirks you mention, a larger tree makes sense. More forgiving.

I know this tree is hailed for its beautiful fall foliage, but for some reason I thought it was largely known for its leafless winter display. Maybe that’s way off the mark, in which case ignore this. But if that is the case, would it not be possible to promote super tight internodes as you would with another species using the same techniques of controlling available rooting space, withholding nutrients, defoliating, really pushing the tree to its limit etc.?
But maybe you are already doing exactly that? So many little questions to drive you mad with… all connecting back to my lack of experience. Don’t mean to bother! Cheers

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

So many little questions to drive you mad with… all connecting back to my lack of experience. Don’t mean to bother! Cheers

I'm glad you are asking these questions. If any of my seeds actually germinate and survive, I can refer back to the answers to your questions that I didn't know to ask.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

would it not be possible to promote super tight internodes as you would with another species using the same techniques of controlling available rooting space, withholding nutrients, defoliating, really pushing the tree to its limit etc.?

I have noticed that when pot-bound/underpotted, mine gets very weak. I have never tried to defoliate it, and have not heard of that being done to a ginkgo. Leaf size can reduce with more leaves. When I prune it back, it’s to 1-2 nodes on new shoots in late spring and again after leaf fall to shorten strong branches. It usually only puts on one flush of growth a year, so after it’s pruned back in Spring, it pretty much just sits there for the rest of the year.

Here’s a night shot from last night, it’s 26” from the rim to the highest shoot right now, but it won’t stay that tall.