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Starter kit help
2005/12/03 01:56 Ok, a quick story first. My daughter is 7 yrs. old and in the 2nd grade. Every year she gets this catalog and she has to sell atleast $70 worth of merchandise. So we sell stuff to our family and friends, then me and my girlfriend buy a couple things if needed. So I'm looking through the catalog and I see a Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Tree starter kit. I always thought Bonsai trees were very cool so I bought the kit. The kit came with a clay pot, soil and a packet of 13 seeds. Now onto the questions.

1. Like I said, the packet has 13 seeds. Do I plant all 13 seeds at once, do I plant just a couple of them or do I only need to plant just one seed?

2. What do I look for in a seed? Color? Size? Is one seed better than another or all they all the same?

3. Before I heard its better to wrap the seeds in a wet paper towel until you see a little root come out, then plant it. Is this true at all?

4. Mites? I heard you spray your Bonsai with a little soapy water to keep the mites off. How old should your Bonsai be before you start to spray it? When it first sprouts or should I wait awhile?

Any help is appriciated. And if anyody could help with some tips and advice on stuff like watering, sunlight, indoor/outdoor times and stuff like that I'd appriciate it. Thanks

And just to give you an idea of the weather, I live in Philadelphia PA.
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Re:Starter kit help
2005/12/04 12:05 Hello Babstar.
Black Pine - Pinus thumbergii is a two needle Pine that can be trained very easily to meet Bonsai standards. In late March early April the seeds can be soaked - (if you can find SUPERTHRIVE a root enhancer plant hormone add 10 t0 15 drops to the water) for at least 2 days before planting in a well draining sandy mix.
If any of the seeds are still floating after the 2 day soak its an indication that they are not healthy enough to germinate, these can be thrown away. Its advisable to plant the seeds in individual oversized pots and be placed in the full sun.
During the summer months saturate/water every other day with at least 2-4 drops of SUPERTHRIVE per gallon of water, it is okay if you miss a watering but do not allow the soil to remain dry for too long.
Your Japanese Black Pine will thrive in your cooler climate.
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Re:Starter kit help
2005/12/04 12:55 Thanks Bonmore.....
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Re:Starter kit help
2005/12/04 21:39 You are wellcome, please keep us posted during the growing process.
Seedage is a 'long haul' call, it is one of the methods used to attempt to develope a bonsai. In my opinion an admirable call, to see your seed develope into a plant and as training progresses, into an interesting looking miniature tree.
Keep your plants alive for the next 10 years and your daughter will be able to enjoy, maybe a couple of bonsai from this seed package.
The Japanese believe that in order to be able to call a plant 'in training' a true Bonsai - it should be in its 3rd generation of developement, anticipating at least 10 years per generation.
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