Hints for Growing Your Rock Garden
Bonsai Rock Garden™
Grow a striking and inspiring Wisteria bonsai in less that a month
in this handcrafted rock planter. The complete kit with contoured
sprouting dome comes with everything you need to grow your own
unique bonsai tree.
The word bonsai (pronounced “bone-sigh”) means “a potted tree.”
Bonsai began in China, but the Japanese turned it into an art form
by pruning and wiring the miniature trees to control their shape and
size. The art of bonsai is the creation of a living and growing work
of art in miniature. The best bonsai are grown from seed because
there is no trace left on the plant of the cultivation methods used to
train it into its final shape.
Wisteria is a beautiful, fast-growing vine with a mature look even
at a young age. The foliage and fragrant bluish purple blooms of
the beloved Wisteria plant are unmistakable. In Victorian times,
these classic and legendary vines were popularly grown in trees.
Wisteria’s strongest attributes are hardiness, vigor, longevity, and
the ability to climb high. This twining, woody climber has long
leaves that are well-suited to bonsai styling.
This plant can sprout quickly or take months to sprout depending
on the age of the seed and the time of year. It may be a good
idea to soak these large seeds for 24 hours prior to planting. The
purple flowers are sweetly scented and bloom in early summer
after the plants are seven years old. They are grown extensively as
ornamental vines. Vines have long been considered an essential
part of any garden. They are used to provide privacy, and to cover
arbors and trellises. Do not eat any part of this plant as it is toxic.
Planting Instructions
1. Fill planter with soil.
2. Add about ½ cup water and mix with soil until it is uniformly moist.
3. Press seeds on top of the soil about ¼ to ⅓ inch apart and cover
them with about ⅛ an inch of soil; save extra seeds to plant
again.
4. Pour ¼ cup water over the soil.
5. Place sprouting dome on top of the soil, align the “F” at the
bottom of the dome toward the front.
6. Put planter on a windowsill or near a window in bright light.
7. Wisteria seeds will sprout in about a month.
8. The top can be removed two to three weeks after the plants
sprout, be sure soil stays moist during this time.
9. Add decorative moss after plants start to grow and the dome is
removed.
Over-Wintering Bonsai
These trees need to go to sleep (or dormant) in the winter for at
least three to four months, and they need to get below 40˚ F in the
winter to survive. Bonsai trees should survive most winters, but it is
best to give them some protection from heavy snow and dry winter
winds. Heavy snow could build up and break the branches, and
wind tends to dry out the trees. If you have many outdoor bonsai,
you may want to winter them in an unheated room or garage in as
much light as possible.
Full Color Mini Poster on Other Side!
• Be sure to check the soil every five days or so while sprouting and
add water liberally to ensure a humid and moist environment.
• When you water, remove the moss covering. Pouring water
directly on the moss will cause it to become brittle.
• Once you remove the lid, water the terrarium one or two
times a week, depending on the humidity in the surrounding
environment.
• If mold forms, remove it with a twig or water the greenhouse
with a 1:50 mix of hydrogen peroxide to water (one capful of
hydrogen peroxide to seven ounces of water). This will kill the
mold but not the plants.
• If you are having trouble sprouting your seeds, try removing the
sprouting top, saturating the soil, and then and use a rubber band
to tightly secure a piece of plastic wrap around the opening of the
planter. This will trap more moisture if you are in a dry climate.
• Your plants like bright light. Be sure to rotate your planter a
quarter turn to encourage even growth. The best location for
your planter is on a windowsill with an eastern exposure. Be
sure the window is not drafty.
• Your plants prefer to be in a cool room. Many plants will wilt in
direct, hot afternoon sun.
• Do not place your terrarium close to a heating or cooling vent.
• Do not place your terrarium outside in the hot sun. The
temperature inside the terrarium will rise to levels that are not
safe for the plants. You may place it outdoors in the shade and
when it is below 80˚ (26˚ Celsius).
• Your terrarium is sensitive to temperature and should be in a
room that is between 60˚ (15˚ Celsius) and 85˚ (29˚ Celsius).
• Terrariums is that they are easily knocked over; keep this in mind
as you choose the location for your rock planter.
• You can trim your plants back if they are growing too wide or tall,
or you would just prefer them bushier. It is important to cut them
above a set of leaves and to water afterward, as pruning can be a
shock to some plants. This will help keep them small and bushy.
• You can transplant your plants into other containers. Be sure to
water first, and remove as big of a ball of soil around the roots as
you can. To replant, make sure the soil in the new container is moist,
place the soil ball into a pre-dug hole, and water thoroughly.
• Your plants like fresh air. Be sure to remove the top after they sprout
or frequently if left on. This will reduce the chance of mold growing.
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Customer Service
Questions? Email [email protected] or call 800-306-4168.
Visit www.dunecraft.com to:
• Learn more about your garden.
• Review our helpful Frequently Asked Questions section.
• Read recent articles and watch recent television coverage of
DuneCraft products.
• Download these instructions if you lose them.
• And much more.
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PO Box 808
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
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