Description

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY GROW YOUR PONDEROSA PINE SEEDS

Pine seeds need to stratify in cold weather to grow. Fall is the perfect time to plant them in protected (from squirrels, bugs, rodents etc.) areas outside. The cold weather will set them up for growth in the spring. Use a soil mix that’s acidic and preferably we’ll draining and contains pine humus/bark. Pines send out a very long tap root to start, plant them cells about 1/2″ from the surface and a minimum of 4″ below to let that tap root grow.

INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO GROW FOR FUTURE BONSAI* MATERIAL ANY TIME OF YEAR

• Soak in room temp chlorine free water for 24 hours.
• Remove and toss any floaters after 24 hours
• Drain seeds and wrap in a moist paper towel
• Place in a ziplock bag and seal
• Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 week (stratification)
• Prep a 1020 (with drain holes) tray with .75” of bonsai soil for bottom layer (My Bonsai soil is 3/1 pure Pumice / Pine Bark)
• Mix clean fine sand with fine sphagnum moss (3/1 ratio)
• Pour over bonsai soil layer and flatten
• Water and let soil settle flat and drain
• Plant seeds 1/4” deep
• Keep moist
• Place tray on seedling mat or keep warm
• Should start sprouting within a week or so
• Keep moist but not overly wet
• If inside, once they sprout use grow lights. Depending on your brand or strength of grow lights, follow distance instructions.
• Once they sprout and lose the seed cap and form secondary needles, you can start fertilizing with a week solution of water soluable MiricleGro 30-10-10 Plant Food (On the box it says it’s for acid loving plants like Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron)

The above method is what I do for both my Ponderosa Pines and Japanese Black Pines. It works the same for both and the success rate is in the very high 90% range.

*To grow, train and develop a mature pine bonsai, can take years. This is not an instant gratification process but a process of learning and enjoying all aspects of horticultural, art, design and above all else patience and calm.