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36 Bonsai Focus<br />
TECHNIQUE<br />
Sowing the seeds<br />
Hornbeam: the challenge is to create a finished tree starting from zero<br />
Illustrations: Kyosuke Gun Text: Kinbon magazine, Japan<br />
One of the ultimate challenges facing us is to create a tree from seed. In our previous issue we showed how to grow<br />
a pine from seed. We continue now with how to grow a hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). With the help of illustrations we<br />
aim to guide you through the process<br />
1st - 2nd year<br />
The large buds will<br />
be next year's flowers<br />
October - November<br />
Seed collection<br />
3rd year<br />
Cut<br />
Transplanting: early<br />
spring<br />
A large flower head at the end<br />
of the branch<br />
After planting<br />
Remove the strong<br />
tap root and plant in<br />
individual pots<br />
At the base of the 'scales' in<br />
the flower you will find the<br />
seeds<br />
Soil example: Akadama<br />
7, Kiryu 3, plus 5%<br />
charcoal<br />
Seeds<br />
Sowing the seeds<br />
Top soil approximately twice the<br />
depth of seeds<br />
Akadama main soil<br />
Carpinus betulus by Roland<br />
Schatzer<br />
Large particle soil<br />
Second year seedling:<br />
Approximately 10 to<br />
12 cm / 4 to 4¾"<br />
Wiring the trunk:<br />
Summer time. Once into<br />
the third year, growth<br />
speeds up noticeably.<br />
Wire the trunk to create<br />
movement<br />
Secondary branches<br />
start to develop<br />
Growth is slow for the first<br />
two years<br />
Lower branches can be utilised to<br />
increase girth, if required<br />
Fertilise twice in<br />
spring, three times in<br />
autumn. In summer<br />
liquid fertiliser can be<br />
given<br />
During growing season<br />
about 5 to 6 cm /<br />
2 to 2¼" of growth
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