How to Start a Dogwood Bonsai Tree

Video: Starting Your Own Bonsai

Wait until late summer or early fall and locate an existing outdoor Dogwood tree. Grasp the red seeds in your hands and pull them off of the tree. The seeds will come off easily when they are ripe. If you prefer, you can purchase Dogwood tree seeds from a garden center or nursery rather than collecting them.

Place the Dogwood tree seeds into a bowl and set it in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight for one week.

Fill a bucket three-quarters full of water and place the Dogwood seeds into it. Allow the seeds to soak for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and squeeze the seeds gently. The black seeds will fall to the bottom of the water, while the white and red pulp floats to the top.

Video: Starting a new batch of bonsai from seeds

Scoop the black seeds out of the bottom of the water and lay them on a plate. Nick the top of the seed with a sharp knife just until you see a cut mark appear. Repeat to create one to two more cuts in each seed.

Fill a bonsai pot, that has drainage holes, with 1 inch of gravel. Fill the remainder of the bonsai pot with potting soil until it is 3/4 full.

Place two seeds onto the top of the soil spaced evenly apart. Place an additional 1/4 inch of potting soil on top of the seeds just until they are covered.

Water the soil until it is completely moist but not soggy.

Video: Bonsai: Collected Material Update: Spring 2016

Place the pot in a location that receives partial sunlight and water it only when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch.