Once your maples go outside after the last frost, make sure they're not in full sun, but light shade. For now, get them right under (4") the lights. Get rid of the KL, it'll turn to mush fast and is no good in soil. You need a ton of grit though instead, that quite small aquarium gravel (not big enamelled pieces), perlite, chicken grit from a Feed store, etc, and peat's awful - get some compost with large coarse particles that as one third of the grit mix will give allow fast drainage. The maples don't need as much acid as a lot of other natives, so peat and/or Miracid, etc. aren't necessary.

Thanks Lucy, The KL idea was suggested by bonsai4me.com, thought I'd try it. It did drain better than the sand mix idea the landscape gal said might work. A local store carries perlite, guess that's my next project. Will it hurt the seeds to keep changing soils before they've sprouted or should I start over with fresh seeds? I have more waiting in the fridge.

Let them sprout and grow to at least a few inches whatever they're growing in, but when you go to pot them properly, aside from a tiny bit of 'original' soil around the roots, use the new mix and use it for the unplanted seeds too.

Thanks again! Do you do bonsai as just a hobby, or for a living? Just curious!

Hobby! I'd starve otherwise.

Shelly,

If I am not mistaken the article about kitty litter that you reference is very specific about using a certain brand. The author has used this product and found it satisfactory, but as Lucy has pointed out that may not be the case for every brand. Put a sample in a glass of water and let it stand for as long as you care to. Observe the product, if it remains stable and firm rather than turn to mush you are OK.

I think that I would reserve the remaining seeds until spring and sow them outside, either in pots or a small growing bed. Starting seeds for bonsai indoors puts a lot of unnecessary strain on the seedlings and you. Our homes are generally ill suited to this endeavor, too warm, too dry, no air movement, low light all come to mind.

Better to just wait and let nature take its course. Better for the trees and a whole lot easier on you. Besides you will, hopefully, have these trees for decades. How much do you really gain by starting a few months early, especially under less than ideal circumstances?

Check out the link below and be sure to follow the link to the next portion on Maples. Please note that the author uses one year old seedlings, so his year one will be your year two but there is some good information there.

Norm

Here is a link that might be useful: Seedling info.

Thankyou! I don't really gain anything, just want to try a few of the things I'm learning. Here's a question: Crushed lava rock-what size should the bits be? Also, what exactly is vermiculite used for? I know I read something about that in a thread and found some on clearance at Lowe's, Can't pass up a good deal if it might serve some usefulness!

Forget the Vermiculite - it's for things like African violets... it also squishes into mush eventually and clogs the soil (and therefore root pores that then can't absorb the water). The rock should be ~ 1/16 - l/8" with the dust sifted out.

Shelley,

First, sorry that I misspelled your name in my first response.

You wrote: "Here's a question: Crushed lava rock-what size should the bits be?"
As in so many things in life the answer is, it depends. If you are serious abbot bonsai you should purchase/make a set of sieves or screens in various sizes. Without them sizing your soil or components will impossible.

Now on to the question; I have a series of screens in progressively larger sizes. The smallest could be described as coarse window screen, about 1/16 square, whatever passes through this is literally dust and is discarded without a second thought. The next size up is 1/8 square; whatever passes through this but remains on top of the smaller size is retained for limited use. This size is really pretty small for most purposes, about the only thing I use it for is seedlings or cuttings, both of which will be transplanted in a short time frame. The next size up is ¼ square; whatever passes through this but remains on top of the smaller size is used for most of my trees. And on and on, it is up to you to decide the most appropriate size for various applications. Larger trees and conifers can be potted into a coarser mix.

Vermiculite and Perlite are both in-organic soil amendments, I much prefer Perlite for most applications as the texture seems more appropriate for most of what I am doing. I hope that this answers some of your questions.

Norm

Thanks, Norm! Any links as to making the sieves? So for the Jmaple seedlings I should go with about 1/8" or 1/4" size pieces? You people are so helpful. I love reading my books, but it's nice to get a real person's response. I don't think there any bonsai groups in our city!
Shelley

Shelley,

You're welcome. Below is a link to a picture if a sieve that I have made. It is nothing more than some 1x3's fashioned into a 4 sided, open box. The screen is stapled to the bottom edges of one side and then thin wooden strips are added to support the screen. I used construction adhesive as well.

The screen, commonly known as "hardware cloth" can be found at hardware stores or box stores. The size of the screen determines the size of the sieve that you can make.

That size may be a little coarse for seedlings, the smaller size that Lucy suggests may be more appropriate. Perlite is also a useful component in a seedling mix.

Norm

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:2547}}

You CAN buy a set of 3 Japanese sieves (flat discs that fit into a 3" high band like a cake form) from online bonsai nurseries. They're great.

Lucy,

Why are you yelling? I mentioned, originally, that they could be purchased or made. Shelley specifically asked about making them, hence my response.

Norm

Okay, enough arguing, I hear enough of that from my 7yr old! Some of the rants that start on here are almost funny to read. So, Lave rock or gravel, perlite, and some mulched bark? Have I finally gotten the idea?
Shelley

Shell,
Try
http://www.diynetwork.com/sand sifter