Planting Seeds
These notes are a general guide, it is recommended to check specialist literature for some of the more unusual seeds in our lists. Some knowledge about growing from seed is necessary to germinate even the easiest seeds. Most seeds require humidity to germinate, even desert plants like Welwitschia mirabilis require that their growing medium remains moist until germination. Most seeds require oxygen to germinate, if buried too deep in their growing medium, or if the medium is too wet, the seeds may not get the oxygen they require. Some seeds need to be in the light (surface sown) or in the dark (sown deep enough to receive little or no light) to germinate. A rule of thumb is to cover the seeds their own width deep in the growing medium, but some seeds prefer to be sown much deeper, and some fairly large seeds like to be surface sown (or higher).
Many seeds germinate best at certain temperatures, some will germinate at a comparatively wide range of temperatures, yet others need fluctuating temperatures. Almost all seeds are waiting in a dormant state for some outside stimulus to break their dormancy, some just need sufficiently high ambiant humidity, others need scarification, vernalization or to be passed through the intestines of an animal.
Indian Tobacco Tree (Nicotiana Gluaca) Seeds
Nicotiana glauca seeds will usually germinate in 10-20 days. Normally will only germinate with light, GA-3 may promote germination - even in the dark. Sow Nicotiana glauca seeds on the surface of a Well drained seed sowing mix at about 22°C.
Heavenly Blue Morning Glory Vine (Ipomoea Tricolor) Seeds
Step 1
Plant morning glory from seed no more than a week before your region's last frost date.
Step 2
Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting to speed germination.
Step 3
Choose a site that has full sun and well-drained, average soil. Working a spade or two of compost into the soil is good idea.
Step 4
Plant seeds about an inch deep. Even if you need just one morning glory, plant at least two or three seeds for insurance. (Pull out the extras when the plants are an inch or so high.)
Step 5
Provide supports. Depending on the morning glory variety, supports need to be 10 to 12 feet high. Check the seed packet for the plants' ultimate height.
Step 6
As the plants grow, start them on their support by gently twining them around the support. They'll take off on their own after that.
Step 7
Keep the plants evenly moist (though morning glories can take a little drought).
Step 8
Fertilize once or twice later in the summer with liquid plant fertilizer.
Step 9
Discard plants after fall frost fells them. You may need to cut twining plants from the support with a pruning shears.
Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria Splendens) Seeds
Ocotillo, a majestic desert shrub, grows in the desert regions of Mexico and Southwestern United States. Its many spiny canes grow from its base, reaching heights up to 25 feet. Tubular flowers grow seasonally at the tips of the ocotillo canes. It is a popular desert landscaping shrub, providing both color and height to the garden while conserving water. Leaves will sprout on the shrub within a day after rainfall, and the plant will shed the leaves if it needs to conserve moisture during a drought.
Step 1
Choose a location in the full sunlight. The soil should have good drainage and should not be an area that puddles after a rainfall or close to plants that receive frequent watering.
Step 2
Dig a hole for the ocotillo; the size should be in relationship to the size of ocotillo you are planting. After planting, the soil line for an 8-foot-tall ocotillo should be about an inch below the area where the canes all come together. If the ocotillo is more than 10 feet tall, the distance should be about five inches. The bottom of the hole should be sandy, with good drainage.
Step 3
Locate the south side of the ocotillo. When purchasing an ocotillo for planting, it should be wired together. The south side of the ocotillo will be where the wires are twisted together. When planting, you will position the plant in the same direction as it was growing.
Step 4
Trim any broken roots. Cut above the broken area, conserving as much of the root as possible. Use a clean garden tool to prevent infection.
Step 5
Set the ocotillo in the hole. Fill with sandy dirt and carefully pack the dirt in vertically using a clean shovel.
Step 6
Remove the wires from the plant, using wire cutters if necessary. The branches will spring out, so remove the wires with caution.
Step 7
Sprinkle the ocotillo canes with water. Do this daily for the first two months after planting (twice a day if it is in the summer months).
Bonsai Mimosa Tree (Albiza Julibrissin) Seeds
Mimosa bonsai (albiza julibrissin) care information:
Mimosa, not native to North America, were imported first in 1745 from China and have become a popular shade tree in southern and coastal areas of the United States. Mimosas are easy to care for and make rather interesting bonsai due to their rather unique foliage and showy flowers. However, due to the size of their foliage they work best in larger bonsai forms such as kifu and dai.
Notable Mimosa Characteristics
Their compound leaves are similar to those of ferns although they have more of a rounded edge to the tips. The pink, fragrant, showy, and silky-threaded flowers appear as puffs and cover the tree from April through July. The silky threads of the flowers lend the tree its silk tree nickname. One of the most interesting characteristics of mimosa is how their foliage folds closed at night through due to the absence of light (nyctinastic movement).
Care to keep your mimosa bonsai healthy
Mimosa do not like staying wet so make sure your mimosa bonsai is potted in well draining soil. As long as the soil is well draining it is tolerant of any kind of loamy, sandy, or clay based soil you choose. Also, the pH of the soil can tip either slightly alkaline or acidic without issues. They need to be kept in full sun so do not attempt to grow this bonsai indoors.
Mimosas do best in USDA zones 6-9, but can extend into zone 10. They will not do well in colder climates. Cold snaps will cause leaf yellowing. To prevent dieback protect the tree when temperatures may dip below 60 degrees F.
Wait for the soil to get close to dry before watering mimosa. They are drought tolerant so this should not be a problem. They are less tolerant of overwatering than underwatering. When you do water it may be easier to water the soil surface under the canopy when in bloom. This is because the flowers degrade when they get wet.
Training Mimosa into Bonsai Form
When training a tree into bonsai form it helps to use a style that resembles how the tree would otherwise grow in nature. The mimosa naturally develops a wide weeping canopy and is often found growing with multiple trunks. One may find it easier training mimosa into styles making use of these characteristics.
Mimosas have characteristics that make it difficult to train into bonsai yet it has other qualities that tend to offset the problems. The main issue people have with training mimosa is that, in general, their large compound leaves do not easily reduce in size. This makes it hard to maintain proper perspective in smaller bonsai forms. In addition, their branches can break easily and the bark is very soft. This makes wiring difficult. Wiring must be done on new growth using small gauge wire. The new growth will develop quickly so one may need to remove the wires between 12-16 days.
That being said, mimosa has many favorable qualities. First, the fast growth, as mentioned, means that the branches and trunk thicken quickly allowing the tree to develop taper faster than other species. Next, they can handle being harshly pruned back in the early spring. It takes root pruning equally well. Lastly, the fragrant and plentiful spring flowers make this a favorable selection for people looking to grow a flowering bonsai.
Overall thoughts on Mimosa for bonsai
To conclude, it has been shown that the mimosa can be trained into an attractive flowering bonsai though not as easily as other species. As a result, it usually isn't most people's first pick. The tree is certainly not hard for a beginner to keep alive and enjoy. It is a hardy tree in the right temperature zones. However, it may be hard for a beginner to train a mimosa into proper bonsai form. As a result, I believe this tree is good for beginners wanting a flowering bonsai that are less concerned about styling. Those people wanting an easier tree to train into accepted styles may want to look into other species though others may enjoy the challenge.
Desert Mimosa Shrub Seeds
This plant comes with it's own soil mixture. It contains special minerals and stones. Combine the soil mixture with potting soil 1:1 or 1:2. Making sure the soil drains well. Sow the seeds approx. 1/4 inch below the surface in a damp soil. Place in direct sunlight. Temp Minimum 70 degrees - Maximum 90 degrees. Water when soil is dry.
Bonsai Shegoi Shrub (Larrea Tridentata) Seeds
Scarify the seed & soak in water for 24 hours then....lightly cover the seed soil temp 65-70F . After germination & 2nd set of true leaves may transfer to larger container. It requires direct sunlight, Its a high desert plant so tollerates drought. & does not do well in overwatered conditions & at most will never have more than 3 leaves on any terminal branch. Grow like a cactus
Bonsai Bashful-Humble Mimosa Tree (Mimosa pudica) Seeds
Known as sleeping grass or the sensitive plant, it's fascinating to children and adults alike because its leaves quickly fold up when touched or exposed to heat, returning to normal after a few minutes. It is most sensitive in full sun. Pudica follows the common mimosa form with attractive pink pom pom flowers. Although it may survive as a perennial in its native Brazil it is typically grown as an annual in cultivation and makes a good potted plant. Reaching 12” in height, pudica has reportedly been grown both indoors and out. It is also said to have various medicinal properties that are employed in Ayurvedic medicine. It is also reportedly being studied by pharmaceutical companies for uses such as hair replacement and nerve regeneration. Growing Information: For best results, peel off the outer seed husk. Then nick or file the seed coat and soak overnight in near boiling water. Plant 1/8” deep in a fertile well-drained soil. Keep soil damp and warm (about 75 – 80 degrees F). Germination can take 30 days or more. Transplant the seedlings into pots when they are established and provide full sun. Soil should be fertile, well-draining and fertilized occasionally.