1) Pick the right seed + timing
- Check your local season (last frost date matters).
- Use fresh seeds for higher germination rates.
- Read packet notes for sun, spacing, and sowing window.
2) Use a light seed-starting mix
- Avoid heavy garden soil for trays/pots.
- Pre-moisten mix until damp, not soggy.
- Fill containers and gently level the top.
3) Plant at proper depth
Rule of thumb: plant at 2–3× the seed’s diameter.
- Tiny seeds: press onto surface, barely cover.
- Medium seeds: shallow hole, lightly cover.
- Large seeds: deeper placement, firm contact with soil.
4) Water gently
- Mist or bottom-water to avoid dislodging seeds.
- Keep evenly moist until germination.
- Add drainage holes to prevent root rot.
5) Give warmth + light
- Most seeds sprout best around 20–25°C (68–77°F).
- After sprouting, provide 12–16 hours of strong light daily.
- Use a fan or gentle airflow for stronger stems.
6) Thin + transplant correctly
- Thin weak seedlings; keep strongest per cell.
- Harden off for 7–10 days before moving outdoors.
- Transplant at dusk or cloudy times to reduce stress.
7) Maple Bonsai tutorial (quick start)
- Seed prep: Cold-stratify Japanese maple seeds in moist medium for 60–90 days in the fridge.
- Sowing: Plant shallow (about 0.5–1 cm), keep medium evenly moist, bright indirect light.
- First year: Prioritize healthy growth; do not aggressively prune early.
- Container: Use a well-draining bonsai mix (akadama/pumice/lava or similar).
- Training: Start gentle wiring only after stem lignifies; check wire marks weekly.
- Water + feed: Water when top layer starts drying; light fertilizer during active growth season.
8) Japanese Pine Bonsai tutorial (quick start)
- Species: Japanese black pine (JBP) and Japanese white pine (JWP) are most common; care differs slightly.
- From seed: Soak 24h, then cold-stratify 30–60 days for better germination.
- Sowing: Use fast-draining mix, plant about 0.5–1 cm deep, full sun after seedlings establish.
- Watering: Let surface approach dry between waterings; avoid constantly wet roots.
- Feeding: Pines like steady fertilizer in growing season; reduce during peak summer heat.
- Training: Begin wiring when stems are flexible; remove wire early to prevent scarring.
- Pruning basics: For JBP, candle management and needle balancing are key once tree is healthy and mature enough.