The Japanese maple, also known as the Acer palmatum,
is a very popular tree species used for Bonsai.
It is famous for the beautiful colors of its leaves in fall.
The tree originally grew in Japan, China and Korea.
There are countless cultivars of the Japanese Maple, each with unique leave colors.
The bark of younger trees is normally green and turns light grey or brown with age.
So how do you care for your Maple bonsai?
The Maple is a deciduous tree species, which means it needs to be placed outdoors, year round.
It prefers a sunny position, with perhaps a little shade during midday in summer.
The maple is frost hardy but should be protected from strong frosts of around
15 degrees Fahrenheit, or -10 degrees celsius.
Water the Maple generously whenever the soil gets slightly dry.
Best is to water your bonsai, then wait a minute and water it again,
to make sure the entire root mass is watered.
Observe the tree closely and make sure it never dries out,
the Maple really dislikes short periods of drought.
Daily misting will help raise the humidity around your Bonsai,
though for most outdoor trees this is not really important.
Fertilize your Maple during the entire growth season, from early spring till fall,
using an organic and solid fertilizer.
Regular pruning is required to maintain the shape of your Maple.
Simply prune shoots that extend to 5-6 leaves, back to 2-3 leaves, using a sharp scissors.
Pruning thick branches should be done in fall.
Bonsai are kept in small pots, and therefore we repot the trees every two years, in early spring.
If you see the roots circling around the root system, your Bonsai needs to be repotted.
If the roots are still contained within soil, leave it and check again the following spring.
You can propagate the Maple using cuttings, seeds,
or buy them online as these are widely available at bonsai retailers.
If your Japanese Maple is losing a lot of leaves, and it is not fall,
then it is often the result of improper watering or not enough light.
Again, make sure you place your Bonsai outside with enough sunlight.
And water it generously as soon as the soil gets slightly dry.
Learn how to create your own Bonsai trees, by enrolling in one of our online Bonsai courses.
We explain techniques like pruning wiring and repotting,
and you can ask questions to the teachers.
For the curriculums and free lessons, go to: bonsaiempire.com/courses