AusBonsai

Getting my head around whether it's worth collecting seed this summer or not after doing the JWP that are a bit unclear as to their success/ viability.

This is just to gauge interest levels; i don't need to propagate 500 ginkgos, maples and crab apples myself, and the seeds aren't ready for collection yet anyway. Purely just wanting to see if people would like the opportunity to seed grow any of the below and probably plenty more by the time to collect arrives. If i do collect, i would be able to post to ACT/ NSW/QLD/ SA/ VIC as the rest have quarantine restrictions on seed movements


Some of what seeds i could potentially collect if people were interested could be:

-Ginkgo Biloba -> I have germinated seed from the particular trees i have in mind before, so viability should be fine (likely able to get heaps)

-Japanese Maple "Mikawa Yatsubusa' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there just may be a dwarfish habit in the seed (limited numbers)

-Japanese Maple 'Kashima' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there just may be a dwarfish habit in the seed (limited numbers)

-Japanese Maple Coral Bark -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there may be some coral bark habit in the seed (TBC on numbers)

-Japanese Maple 'Arakawa' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all. there may be some rough bark habit in the seed (limited numbers)

-Crab Apple from a range of different colour flower trees -> Erring on whether to do any flowering seed at all given it can take many years before they ever flower to know if they are any good. (Likely able to get heaps)

Various prunus ie Prunus Campanulata - TBC on what actually seeds in my area.


As far as the Pines go; I could collect them again but I'm thinking that would be more of an 'on request' thing, so people understand the viability is questionable. In that case i could again collect Japanese White Pine (can get a selection from multipe trees for genetic diversity?) and likely Japanese Red Pine from a dwarf cultivar too (didn't collect it last year) and what i need to check but think are likely Japanese Black Pine.


Going forward
This year my ume garden tree has fruited and i'll be trialing their germination rates from seed come next spring. So the following year if they are successful i may also have some ume seed from an upright white flowering tree, and possibly some very limited seed from a weeping pink ume (got 2 fruits on it this year I'll trial germination on too).

Alternatively let me know what you might like to have access to seed from, and i can keep an eye out for it in the world.

I don't want people to feel taken advantage of by poor germination quality when paying for something they expect a result from, so let me know what you think

Hi tim,
Most def be in line for 10 each of the maples
Let me kwno when your going to collect / send out and ill message with details

Ken

-Japanese Maple "Mikawa Yatsubusa' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there just may be a dwarfish habit in the seed (limited numbers)

-Japanese Maple 'Kashima' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there just may be a dwarfish habit in the seed (limited numbers)

-Japanese Maple Coral Bark -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there may be some coral bark habit in the seed (TBC on numbers)

-Japanese Maple 'Arakawa' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all. there may be some rough bark habit in the seed (limited numbers)

Hey Tim,

I’d be very keen on some of the red pine seeds if you collect them.

Cheers, Matt

kcpoole wrote: ↑September 23rd, 2024, 8:31 pm Hi tim,
Most def be in line for 10 each of the maples
Let me kwno when your going to collect / send out and ill message with details

Ken

-Japanese Maple "Mikawa Yatsubusa' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there just may be a dwarfish habit in the seed (limited numbers)

-Japanese Maple 'Kashima' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there just may be a dwarfish habit in the seed (limited numbers)

-Japanese Maple Coral Bark -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all, there may be some coral bark habit in the seed (TBC on numbers)

-Japanese Maple 'Arakawa' -> Keep in mind wouldn't actually be that cultivar from seed, genetic diversity and all. there may be some rough bark habit in the seed (limited numbers)

No worries, It won't be until nearer the end of the year when i can confirm what can actually be collected, but i'll touch base with you then

Matt_W_NZ wrote: ↑September 23rd, 2024, 8:40 pm Hey Tim,

I’d be very keen on some of the red pine seeds if you collect them.

Cheers, Matt

Easy done Matt, i'll keep an eye on them but it won't be until the seed cones are ready to pop that i collect, so late this year or early next year i'd guess. I'll let you know closer to the time

HI Tim,

Yes from me for red and white pine

cheers
Terry

Hi Tim,
I would be interested in some of the Acer Kashima and the Acer Arakawa when the time comes.

thanks
Rob

Hi Tim,

I would be interested in Acer Arakawa and Crab apple.

Regards,

Oliver
NSW

Hi Tim,
I'd probably be keen to go some red pine, it's been a while since I gave them a crack!

Keen to try some Ginkgo Biloba, let me know when to message you for those?

Cheers,
Daniel

Thanks for all the replies and interest, good to know it's worth doing the collecting this year

I think it is easiest if anyone who would be keen just posts into the thread here so i can keep an easy track of it.

Timeline wise i wouldn't be posting anything until probably nearer Christmas or even into the new year most likely for the pines just depending on how they are all developing.

As i collect each species i'll reach out to those who have expressed interest in here and then any extras i'll make a sales thread for.

Please note if you want the Japanese Maples, numbers may be quite limited so i cannot necessarily promise everyone will be able to get some. I can only do a first-reply-first-service.

I would be interested in some Ginkgo seeds.

Okay so as of right now i've made a spreadsheet with everyone who's posted in the thread or sent me PM, and what they would be interested in, so i can track it more easily and contact people when the time to collect/ work out numbers comes.

Feel free to continue posting requests into the thread here, and i'll keep adding them to the spreadsheet, that way it just works in order of who asked first for what, and it's easy for me to find who wanted what in a few months too.

Once everyone's initial requests are covered to the best of my ability, any extras or further availability will be offered to those who have requested, and then any additional spares after that will be put in a sale thread.

I'm thinking on the prices that will be charged now and am happy to take input on that front. So for reference the prices for the white pine last time were as below. Does this pricing seem fair? Did it seem too expensive and put you off buying the pines? Does it seem too cheap? Keep in mind postage is included in the price of the seeds (ie no surprise extra charge for posting to you on top).

10 seeds = $5

20 seeds = $10

30 seeds = $15

50 seeds = $20

Also keep in mind i can't guarantee the maple seed numbers just yet to promise i can fulfil 50 seeds to everyone.

Some will be easy to collect but won't have big numbers (the maples in my back garden for example), some will be easy to collect and i can get virtually as many as people want really (probably the Ginkgo), and some will need a specific trip to collect (Pines/ Crab Apple/ Prunus). I will clean, grade out bad quality seed and package before i send them out for all that i collect so i mean that applies equally to all.

Is it just fairer to everyone to charge the same regardless of difficulty of collection/ number able to be collected/ rarity of species?

Have a think on it and i'd be glad to hear your thoughts.

Hi Tim,

Just work out the cost/price in whatever way makes sense and is most convenient for you. Everyone else can just work around that ...

Great to see someone offering seed suitable for bonsai
Just some of my thoughts and experience with collecting and selling seed. Feel free to take no notice if you wish.

JBP, JRP and JWP are in demand but difficult to obtain and a bit more involved in collecting and processing so I think they should attract a premium. The JWP price list you posted is what I've been charging for JBP I collect here.
Maple seed is generally much easier to collect so I offer 50 seeds for $10 or 100 for $20 but that's for regular unnamed maples. Maybe you can ask a bit more for selected characteristics.
Not sure where you are getting ginkgo seed but I've never been able to collect a lot from any of the trees I know of. My experience is more time consuming to collect and then they also need to be cleaned and dried.
Crab apples are abundant and easy to collect the fruit but takes time and effort to separate the seeds.
Prunus are a little easier to separate the seeds but there's still some time and effort involved to get clean seed out and ready to send.

Happy to offer suggestions re processing seed if you want any assistance.