Misho is the Japanese term for growing bonsai from seeds. This process is the most time-intensive, and while very rewarding may not be a great starting point for those just beginning bonsai.

The process for germinating seeds varies for each type of seed. Typically, there is a process of stratification, in which you expose your seeds to cold temperatures followed by warm temperatures to break dormancy. This process can take 1-3 months to simulate the natural cold exposure a seed would have during the winter, followed by spring warmth.

After stratification, there’s a process of scarification in which seeds are soaked in water (and the outer shell punctured) to accelerate germination. This process usually takes 1-2 days.

Following stratifications and scarification, the seeds are planted in the soil. These seedlings need to be kept at specific temperature and humidity conditions, so often a germination station is used.

Check out this course on growing maples from seed.

Cutting Propagation

Cost: Free or $

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Time-to-bonsai: Years

Shashiki is the Japanese term for propagating trees from clippings, which allows you to begin the growing process with a running start. The idea is to take branches from an existing healthy tree and stimulate root growth, such that the clippings become their own stand-alone tree.

The clippings can fall into three categories.

Softwood cuttings , which is the green, flexible new-growth of a tree. Best propagated in the spring and dipped in root hormone before placing in moist, new soil.

Semi-hardwood cuttings come from wood that’s young but lignified. Typically, these require “wounding”, in which the bottom bark is removed and dipped in root hormone.

Hardwood cuttings come from mature wood, which can be taken at any point in the season and planted in the spring.

For those who are looking to go deep in this topic, The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation will guide.

You can also see the cutting propagation process in action with this course from Ma-Ke Bonsai.