Has anyone done this? And can you grow them with the same process As a JBP??

I say avoid even trying to grow from seed - regardless of the species.
Unless you really know what you are doing, it is a difficult and will not get you learning real bonsai techniques for years. A waste of time.

I agree with Alain. It's definitely not for the impatient, but is worth the effort and a whole new way of appreciating bonsai. All my JWP are from seed, and this year I sprouted over 20 JWP from seeds imported from Japan and from seeds I collected from JWP growing in my yard. The ones that were imported all sprouted this spring, but died after a few months because I accidentally left them overexposed to direct sunlight. Next time I'll know better to leave them in full shade when I'm out of town. I still have one seedling left that sprouted the previous year. It's doing very well, and its candles are already swelling in prep for next spring's explosion of growth.

Although many bonsaiists want to preserve the genetic uniqueness of certain cultivars, I find the genetic diversity amongst JWP seedlings fun and fascinating. I have 4 JWP seedlings I purchased from Julian Adams, and 2 of them have roughly 3 more years to go before they can be planted in a bonsai pot for shohin. One of them has a distinctly short silver-blue needles, while another one has even shorter emerald needles. Some seedlings are more vigorous than others. If you take the correct measures, you can have pretty decent JWP bonsai in 10 to 12 years from seed (not that long in bonsai time). I have a 9 y/o with already a 1.5" trunk and flaking bark. It was root bound then I purchased it in it's tiny 5" nursery pot. If it had been grown in a colander from age 4, I believe it would have been ready for a bonsai pot by now.

As I said, yes I have grown from seed, no the JBP technique was not applied- they really are a lot slower than the JBP. try it on a few, see if it works, it may work like a charm for you. There is a thread here on Growing Mikawa JBP from seed, very detailed, very good, gives pictures and technique (it is a rehash o the early Bonsai Today articles, but is really good as is the JBP from Seed blogs by Jonas Dupuich (who lives near Oakland and is in BIB) at www.bonsaitonight.com. It is all there and in pictures.....

John

Place the seeds in Damp vermiculite and set them on top of the fridge, then move into the fridge for cold stratification. Or, if you have a sheltered place, sow them outside and let them sprout naturally.

Kajukid,

Perhaps you misread my comment. I did grow them from seed. I got the seeds from Julian Adams in March and planted them immediately. They all sprouted, but dried out and died due to over exposure to direct sunlight. I left a few seeds outside over the winter and they sprouted naturally underneath the protection of the JWP forest planting I have in the yard. I found that growing them in diffused sunlight for the first year is best. I transplanted two of the sprouts and they've responded very well.

If you didn't already, keep the seeds in warm-hot water for at least 24 hours. Then put them in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for 90 days. Plant them in regular inorganic bonsai soil, and they should sprout around mid May. This is what Julian Adams does and he's definitely an authority on growing JWP from seed. Check out his website: adamsbonsai.com and contact him. He's been growing his own bonsai (many from seed/cuttings) for over 30 years and he's a great guy.

so your saying i dont need to go the warm stratify?? and thank you..