Japanese maple is very popular as bonsai

Content

• Japanese maple is very popular as bonsai
• Location
• Substrate and repotting
• Pouring and fertilizing
• Cutting and wire
• Tips

The Japanese maple gives off a colorful bonsai

Japanese maple is very popular as bonsai

The Japanese maple - in this case especially the species "Japanese fan maple" (Acer palmatum) - is the ideal bonsai for beginners, also the beautiful ornamental tree is traditionally cultivated in Japan as such. The fan maple is suitable for various styles and designs, whether as a single tree, double or multiple trunk or even forest.

Early article Japanese Maple - Cutting is always risk

Location

With regard to the location of the Japanese Maple is quite demanding: on the one hand he needs a lot of light for a vigorous budding and an intense autumn color, on the other hand many of the approximately 500 cultivars do not tolerate the direct sun. For this reason, you should set the tree sunny in spring and autumn (but avoid the midday sun!) And offer it in the summer a half shady place. In addition, the site should be protected from the wind, as the Japanese Maple reacts to strong wind with brown tips.

Substrate and repotting

The substrate should be as loose, well drained as possible, rich in nutrients and slightly moist. Ideal is a sandy loam soil, which you can even mix from humus soil, Akadama (a dimensionally stable, baked clay granules) as well as a fine-grained mineral substrate (eg Lavalit). The repotting takes place at best every one to two years. Older specimens from the age of about 10 years only have to be repotted every five years.

Pouring and fertilizing

Although the Japanese Maple likes it slightly damp, but tolerates neither waterlogging nor strong water fluctuations. He will most likely respond to ever-changing dryness and wetness with brown leaf tips. It is better to allow the bale to dry slightly and then to water moderately. Leaves and shoots should not be wetted if possible, this only increases the risk of fungal infection. Otherwise, the tree will be supplied with organic fertilizer about every two weeks between April and August.

Cutting and wire

When it comes to cutting, the Japanese Maple is a difficult candidate, as it tends - like almost all maples - to bleed heavily. In addition, a pruning increases the risk of fungal infection, for which the maple is unfortunately very vulnerable. Therefore, necessary cuts should be made in the fall if possible - when the juice pressure is not quite so great. In the spring, sick and dead shoots can be removed. Cuts should always be closed. A leaf incision or pinching is possible at any time, is wired in June.

Tips

Although the Japanese maple is considered to be hardy, it can suffer frost damage in shallow bonsai pots. Therefore, a frost-free hibernation at a maximum of six degrees Celsius is recommended.