Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree
If you’re looking for an elegant bonsai with brilliant coloured autumn leaves and a graceful structure you need look no further than the Japanese maple bonsai tree.
Acer palmatum is a magnificent specimen and will be admired by your family and friends. It is a popular species with bonsai enthusiasts as it responds well to bonsai styling.
Acer palmatum autumn leaves
The delicate thin 5 lobed leaves provide spectacular colour displays of intense reds and oranges in the autumn. Due to the delicate nature of the leaves, Japanese maples are susceptible to leaf scorch. They should therefore be protected from strong winds and direct sunlight.
It is possible to bring the trees indoors for short periods for display purposes but otherwise they should be kept outdoors. They will require protection from extreme frosts.
Repot Japanese maples every 1 to 3 years as the buds begin to lengthen in the spring.
The feeding regime should consist of a high nitrogen fertiliser when growth starts in the spring and then a balanced feed until late summer. A nitrogen free fertiliser should be applied in the autumn
Ensure that the soil is kept moist and bear in mind that the tree will require extra water before periods of new growth in the spring and summer.
Heavy pruning should not be carried out in the spring because maples are susceptible to profuse bleeding which can have a detrimental effect on the tree. Instead, any significant pruning should be done in the autumn or in mid-summer when the wounds heal more quickly.
For general pruning cut back new growth to 1 or 2 pairs of leaves. Pinching out the tips of new shoots will create short distances between pairs of leaves. This results in good branch ramification and dense foliage. The tips should be pinched out with tweezers once the new pair of leaves start to open.
Maples are susceptible to various pests including spring colonisation of young shoots by aphids. Caterpillars and scale insects can also be a problem.
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