There is no such thing as a bonsai seed

Kits promising a miniature tree from a few seeds are everywhere. Let us put it plainly: there is no such thing as a bonsai seed. A bonsai is an ordinary tree, grown in a pot and shaped by particular techniques. A maple seed gives a maple, which you may or may not decide to train as a bonsai.

Collecting your seeds

The best period runs from October to November. Maples, ginkgos, pyracanthas, hawthorns and oaks are good candidates. Freshness matters more than anything; buy from a seed merchant rather than from an anonymous marketplace. A simple test: viable seeds sink, empty ones float.

Getting through winter

Stratification imitates winter to break dormancy. In a cold climate, sowing in a tray outdoors is enough. In a mild one, keep the seeds in the fridge, around 5 °C, in a damp substrate. Some species need scarifying, mechanically for ginkgo or prunus, chemically for hawthorn. Allow up to two years before germination.

Beware of colours

“Blue seeds” and other curiosities do not exist in nature. Those packets hold dyed seeds, or weeds.