Natureit Bonsai seed beginner kit Instruction Manual

Natureit Bonsai seed beginner kit

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SEEDS DIDN’T SPROUT?
DON’T WORRY!
JUST CONTACT US AT GROW@NATUREIT.CO AND WE WILL GLADLY SEND YOU MORE SEEDS AND WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET THE BEST RESULTS POSSIBLE. JUST EMAIL US AND WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE!

Kit Contains

Instruction Manual

• This manual is your guide. You can also find it online at www.natureit.co

4 Biodegradable Pots

• Used for replanting in the ground.
• 4 Seed Packets.

4 Peat Soil Discs

• Expandable and contains fertilizers for best germination.

4 Plant Tags

• To mark seed names and dates indicating milestones (i.e., sowing date).

Colorado Blue Spruce – Picea Pungens Glauca

A member of the pine tree family that is native to the Rocky Mountain regions of North America. It is long-lived and may reach ages of 600-800 years. It was named for its silver-blue color. This unique color is attributed to the white powder that forms on new young needles. It is also a popular choice for Christmas trees!

Estimated time to sprout

• 2-3 weeks

Siberian Elm – Ulmus Pumila

Native to Central Asia and eastern Siberia, the Siberian Elm is widespread across North America. It has wide branches with small, round, gentle green leaves that turns into magnificent colors during autumn.
Estimated time to sprout

• 1 week

Black Spruce – Picea Mariana

A member of the Pine Family, this tree is widespread across North America and Canada. Pines are a classic bonsai species and their rugged, rough bark and trunk make them appear old.

Estimated time to sprout

• 3-4 weeks

Loblolly Pine – Pinus Taeda

The largest of only several pines native to the Southeastern United States, often grown in mud, the Loblolly Pine is a large evergreen tree that grows at a fairly fast rate, with height increases of more than 24” per year. AKA Arkansas pine or North Carolina pine.

Estimated time to sprout

• 3-4 weeks

Preparing the Seeds

You will only need to sow about 7 seeds in each pot. You can keep the rest in the packet and store it in a cool, dark place for future use (be aware of the expiration date!). Before planting the seeds you will need to gently scratch / scrape their outer surface and soak them at room temperature water (20°C/68°F) for 16-24 hours.

• Do not scrape more than a thin layer of the seed coating.
• Do not use hot water.
• Do not soak more than 24 hours.
• Soak the seed types separately, to not mix them up.

Preparing the Soil

Place the peat soil disc in the middle of a large bowl and pour ½ a glass of room temperature water around it. Then slowly add small portions of water to the disc and let the soil expand on its own. Repeat this process until it reaches about 6-7 times its original size. It can take 20-30 minutes for the full process. Once the disc is expanded, crumble the soil, and squeeze it firmly to drain any excess water. Continue to drain the water until the soil is slightly wet, yet fluffy and does not have water dripping out.

Filling the Pots

Slowly sprinkle a handful of soil in the pot. Repeat this action without pressing or tightening the soil down, until it reaches ½ inch from the top of the pot. You need to keep the soil airy so the water will properly drain to prevent the growth of mold. Save any leftover soil to use in the next step.

Sowing the Seeds

Using your finger, create multiple small ¼-inch holes in the soil and place a single seed in each hole. A pot should contain about 7 seeds. Gently cover the seeds with about ½ inch of the remaining soil. Do not press or tighten the soil on top of the seeds. Spray some water on top of the soil to moisten it. Use the plant tag to label the pot with the seed name and sowing date.

Additional step: Place your pots where the water can drain from the bottom and frequently remove any water from beneath the pots. We recommend keeping your plants indoor for the first stage of germination. See the next step for tips on how to best germinate your bonsai.

How to Get the Best Germination Rate

• Remember to spray the plant with water on a daily basis!
• Do not expose to direct sunlight.
• Keep in a well-ventilated place to allow airflow and prevent mold.
• Make sure the soil is moist but NOT saturated with water.
• Keep the soil temperature at about 70-80 Fahrenheit.

Tip: Fertilizing your plants can help them grow faster and stronger. If you want to learn on how to fertilize your plants contact us at Grow@natureit.co

Sprouting

Some of your seeds will sprout after 5-7 days, while some take longer to germinate and may take up to 5 weeks for the first seedlings to appear. At this stage it’s recommended to start exposing the plants to indirect sunlight. After they reach about 1 inch in size- start exposing it to direct sunlight for 30-45 minutes a day. Keep watering checking the soil daily. Make sure not to expose the plants to too much heat or cold.

Growing

After about 20 days, when your little seedlings are growing nicely and are about 2 inch in height, you should start exposing them to sunlight as much as possible, still keeping them from extreme heat or cold. Keep watering them, keeping the soil moist but not wet, checking for water to drain at the bottom, and keep the plants well ventilated to prevent mold as much as possible. You can also start using fertilizers to strengthen your growing plant.

Thinning

• Once you see a few seedlings start to compete for space, cut the weaker seedlings with scissors. DO NOT pull them out from the root. You will eventually need one strong plant to grow in the pot.

Replanting

• We recommend re-planting in a larger pot or on the ground after a period of 2 months or so. Before re-planting, make sure you cut off the bottom of the pot to allow the roots to develop deeper.

Having Trouble? Seeds not Germinating?

No Worries!

You can use the same pots and soil and have another go with the seeds you kept aside. Simply repeat the procedure to see if your seeds can successfully sprout. If that didn’t do the trick please contact us at Grow@natureit.co and we will be happy to provide you with alternative seeds and make sure you will get the best experience!

A Few Important Notes to Successfully Grow Your Plants

Do not overwater your plants!

• Do not overwater your plants! Check to make sure 1 inch of the surface is moist. That is enough for your plant to grow healthy and strong.
• Spray water rather than pouring directly on the plants.
• If your plants are in a cold environment during the Germination stage, place your pots next to an electrical device that generates heat.
• Mold is natural : If you find mold growing on your plants, gently remove the mold and do not water your plant for 1-2 days. Relocate the plants to a well-ventilated area and allow the soil to dry out a bit.

Visit us on www.natureit.co for more tips, FAQ’s and tutorials.

References

• Natureit - Bonsai Starter Kit. All-in-one DIY Bonsai seed beginner kit

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