Bonsai Stage 1

So it has been a really long time since I last blogged. Of course, my previous entry was about my desire to have a bonsai tree, and I have now moved that project forward into phase 1. I ordered 2 different kind of bonsai seeds - 100 each of Ficus Benjamina and Ulmus Parvifolia (Chinese Elm). The Ficus seeds have not arrived yet, despite my having ordered them over 2 weeks ago, but the Elm seeds arrived last week, and last night I finally got around to starting them. Unfortunately, the seeds we much more difficult to work with than I anticipated.

Typically, when I think of seeds, I think of things like apple seeds. A package of 100 apple seeds would simply be 100 separate seeds - easily distinguished from one another. These elm seeds, on the other hand, came in a tiny envelope, and came out as pretty much a small "cloud" of seeds. They were all stuck together and stacked on top of one another, and the seeds themselves are very small, flat, and sort of feathery. So separating them out was kind of a pain, but I managed to get it done. Now, about half of them (there were probably 140-150 in the package, rather than 100), are soaking in a glass of water, which they'll do for 24-48 hours, and then they'll be stratified in the fridge.

Quite frankly, I am not holding out much hope for the process. It doesn't seemto be particularly difficult, I just don't have much faith in these stupid little seeds. They just seem kind of frail, and it's not like I am some garden professional. Hopefully when the ficus benjamina seeds show up, they'll be a bit easier to work with.

At any rate, success or not, I am excited about the prospect. I will report all of this in more depth at Team Hamster Hat, as we are severely lacking in the Science! department.