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[jizmunci]

I am very new to this. I have decided to grow trees from seed whilst I investigate the art and purchase the equipment.
Could anybody advise me on what soil to use, feeding and general care for raising olive trees, holly oaks and red pines?

Also, I am currently surrounded by beech woods: would a little beech be a reasonable starting point?

Comments

[iriswing]

I have an olive bonsai. They're beauuutiful. Were you planning to keep your tree indoors or out?

[jizmunci]

hopefully outdoors but I think that indoors is more likely.

Depends on where I'm living when I get a seed to row.

[jizmunci]

actually, when I get a seed to grow.

[iriswing]

I imagine you'll be starting a seed indoors anyway. If you're in a subtropical-ish climate, then an olive tree could live outside. I'm in Utah, so my tree lives inside with a light. It can go live outside in the summer, though. They love sun.

[iriswing]

It gets outide indirect light from a nook with windows north and west. Then just regular incandescent from the top. Supposedly there are better "grow" lights, though.

[jizmunci]

what are you feeding it?

[iriswing]

I'm not. It's winter.

[jizmunci]

in that case let me rephrase:
what will you be feeding it?

[turn_key]

I wouldn't start from seed.

The masters of this art, imo, are more craftsmen than artist...in the vernacular sense I can't exactly define.

The spiritual blah blah while connecting with plants and interpreting nature is one thing.

But, really I just want a tree that is beautiful...quickly. That's where chopping, using a dremel, wiring, and other such ghastly mechanical torture comes into play.

I used to took at these trees with fat trucks, insane taper, sturdy nebari and figured these must have been painstakingly kept in pots since the 1600s; being fussed over by wise old men.

No, rather, some white guy grew a bunch of maple seedlings in a 5 gallon bucket, and then zip-tied them together on a wire frame a few years ago.

[turn_key]

I.e...

[jizmunci]

The only reason I decided to grow from seed was that I wanted certain types of tree and I wanted them cheap.

I want them quickly but I'm lacking in the cash department at the moment.

Huh

[jinshari]

Turn Key,

What are you talking about????

Glad I asked

[jinshari]

Turn Key you have made valid points. Actually I had (and still do ) have the feeling of a magical aspect of Bonsai. However you are truly correct, Bonsai is all forced perspectives no matter the tool to use. If you can make something look ancient in a quicker time then why not. Some may think that seed are cheap,but the time of your life wasted as you wait for this tree to develop into something that is quality is a bigger price to pay.

Re: Glad I asked

[turn_key]

Makes me think of this guy...

Check out his maples

www.dugzbonsai.com