Acer Bonsai Care

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Japanese maple bonsai (Acer palmatum) is highly prized. No bonsai collection is complete without a Japanese maple. The colorful leaves of different species (especially in autumn) and interesting growth forms with very fine branches should be emphasized.

Acer Bonsai Care

Acer Bonsai Care

Caring for Japanese maple bonsai is not difficult. For bonsai care, it should be noted that this species prefers a place protected from heat in partial shade in mid-summer. In winter, a bonsai tree should be protected from the wind barrier (for example, an unheated greenhouse, a foil tent or a wind-protected corner) so that the fine branches do not dry out.

Japanese Maple (acer) Bonsai Tree

During the cultivation stage we fertilize the Japanese maple prebonsai with a very nitrogen-rich mineral fertilizer (nutrient salt N-K-P ratio 4:1:2 + MGO). So they grow well and develop quickly at 0.5-1m per year in 5L pots. Due to nitrogen-rich fertilization, the trunk and branches quickly become thick, which is desirable during cultivation. At this stage, all organic bonsai fertilizers (eg Biogold, Hanagokoro) and other garden fertilizers such as horn meal can be fed liberally from March to September.

Although we use mineral fertilizers ourselves (use an automatic fertilizer dose for water), we advise the general public against this. The salt tolerance of Japanese maple is not very high, and calculation errors can easily occur when thinning.

Organic fertilizers (eg liquid bonsai fertilizer) have the great advantage that they are released very slowly and gently applied to the tree. If you give the tree more, nothing happens except that it grows much faster and longer. Also, it contains all the nutrients that the tree needs.

When it comes to the best styling of Japanese maple bonsai, we should pay more attention to balanced fertilization without high nitrogen loads. If too much nitrogen is given, the internodes (the distance between 2 nodes on a shoot) are too long.

Coral Bark Maple

If too much nitrogen is given during the year, the Japanese maple bonsai will not be able to heal properly before hibernation. Young shoots do not heal properly and freeze in winter, sometimes even a little behind. Although this is not a problem in the growing stage, it is very unfortunate as a finished bone. The fine branches distinguish the tree species.

Finished bonsai can be well fed with a commercial bonsai liquid fertilizer. For finished maple bonsai it is recommended to follow the dosage instructions on the bottles. Liquid bonsai fertilizers usually contain no more than 3% nitrogen. Perfect for a Japanese maple.

Do not fertilize as a bonsai in winter and 4 weeks after repotting. Japanese maple can not use fertilizer in any case.

Acer Bonsai Care

Acer palmatum bonsai keeps it evenly moisturized. The emphasis is reasonable, that is, do not let it dry, on the other hand – do not sink. It is a good idea to allow the soil to dry occasionally before potting a bonsai tree (do not let the bark dry out). Do not let the Japanese maple completely dry out, even in winter (use it for frost-free weather in winter).

Red Maple Bonsai Tree Stock Photo 1364238437

It is important that the bonsai soil is well permeable to water and air so that it is not waterlogged. If the soil is well drained, it can be watered several times in hot summer days. Excess water can drain well.

Good leaves will evaporate in summer with a lot of water. Often more than the bonsai pot can provide, more than you can pour under normal conditions. This can cause the tips of the leaves to dry out. Therefore, it is advisable to place a Japanese maple bonsai in a partially shaded and safe place during the summer.

In summer, a sunny to partially shaded outdoor space is ideal. Varieties with fine leaves should not get mid-summer afternoon sun (or Japanese maple bonsai will get brown leaf tips). Partial shade is ideal for Japanese maple bonsai. But the leaf color of many red species becomes a little greener in the shade because the tree produces more chlorophyll here, making it greener.

Japanese maple is a hardy outdoor bonsai, which means it tolerates temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius. Good branches should have a wind break to prevent them from drying out (for example, an unheated greenhouse, a foil tent or a sheltered outdoor corner). In frost-free weather, check the soil for moisture and water if necessary.

Top 10 Japanese Maple Videos

Repot with commercial bonsai soil (eg Akadama). A young Japanese maple bonsai is replanted every 2-3 years, and older specimens every 4-5 years (more often in case of stunted growth or root diseases). A drainage layer at the bottom of the pot is beneficial.

In any case, bonsai soil should be well drained so that it is not waterlogged during regular midsummer watering. Japanese bonsai soil Akadama is suitable for this. Experienced bonsai friends even sift the dust to increase permeability. Powder can be used to cover the surface. Permeability can be greatly increased by adding substrates such as expanded slate. Since a Japanese maple prefers a slightly acidic soil, bonsai soil should not be too porous.

Regeneration of bonsai takes place in early spring (end of February). Depending on rooting, more or less strong root cuttings are made. If it is repeated too late, the maple may “bleed” for a long time after repeating. It is not optimal. So – don’t be late. If desired, cut the roots moderately.

Acer Bonsai Care

Japanese maples are sometimes visited by aphids. In case of mass infestation, spray with insecticidal agent. Aphids are not a big problem.

Classic Specimen Japanese Maple (acer Bonsai) Tree

Susceptibility to Japanese maple fungus (Verticillium wilt) is important. It doesn’t happen often, but a Japanese maple can be dangerous to bonsai. Sudden leaf emergence or sudden death of entire branches.

Since treatment with fungicides is almost impossible, prevention is best. For this it is important to trim only Japanese maple bonsai using clean bonsai tools. and with root lesions. You should use old bonsai scissors when potting (to cut the roots) as it quickly dulls and is not suitable for cutting off the top later. Sealing wounds with a wound sealant can reduce the risk of infection.

Acer palmatum can be propagated by seeds or cuttings. But Japanese maples are genetically very variable, and propagating seeds leads to poor results. It is better to buy a suitable young plant.

Sometimes a Japanese maple (or a branch thereof) from the garden can be propagated by air-layering. This is a good way to get raw materials quickly and works well with Japanese maple.

Maple Bonsai Tree Care Guide

Japanese maple is very popular for bonsai styling. By regularly cutting and pinching the bonsai you can produce a very well branched crown. Strong root growth can be used to create beautiful root approaches. Very small, often colored leaves are very decorative. Especially in the fall.

Wood and thin branches can be easily wired. Thick branches are heavy (the branch should be protected from bark shrinkage with leather or rubber). If you want to wire a bonsai – please be careful. The bark is very thin and easily damaged by mechanical action. Such lesions appear on very long smooth bark.

Aluminum bonsai wire is best. The required diameter is larger than copper so the wire does not press as much against the bark. Perhaps the wire is still wrapped in paper for protection.

Acer Bonsai Care

A maple tree can be well shaped like a bonsai with pruning shears. Bonsai tree maintenance involves pruning, structural pruning and pinning.

Bonsai Gardens Guide

Maintenance pruning: in the spring, when the maple has produced about 5 pairs of leaves, they are cut to one or two leaf pairs. Do not cut before growth (severe bleeding and consequent tree loss).

Pinching: After pruning, the shoots that appear after pruning should be pinched. That is, the newly formed shoot tips are removed after the first couple of leaves. The reward for the hard work is the fine branching of the branches.

Structural cutting: once a year, dead branches and branches that are not needed for the design are removed. Cut such branches directly at the bark with a sharp bonsai concave cutter. Structural cuts can be made in early fall or late winter.

A partial defoliation can also be done in summer to control the growth potential in the tree. For this purpose, many or all leaves are removed from the stronger parts of the tree and only some of the weaker branches. This reduces the force of thick branches, promotes fine branching (smaller internodes) and reduces leaf size. Above all, weak branches gain strength. In the case of species with red leaves,

Red Palmate Maple Bonsai Tree (23)

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