Content
- Red maple - a rare but very beautiful bonsai
- design options
- Location and substrate
- Pouring and fertilizing
- Cutting and wire
- repotting
- wintering
- Tips
The red maple is just like the Japanese fan maple excellent as bonsai
Red maple - a rare but very beautiful bonsai
The widespread in North America Acer rubrum, which is often referred to as Canadian red maple, is ideal for a bonsai culture. Unfortunately, this species of maple is rarely raised as a bonsai in our latitudes, even in the specialized trade such plants are rarely offered.
Previous article Red maple - cutting allowed or better not?design options
Like almost all maple, the red maple can also be used for various styles or styles. Whether as a solitaire, as a multiple trunk or even as a bonsai forest - the North American always cuts a fine figure. Especially in the fall, when the leaves turn into the eponymous, strong red color.
Location and substrate
The Rotahorn, referred to as "Soft Maple" in its homeland, prefers a sunny to partially shaded spot. However, this should be protected from the wind, because draft does not tolerate this type of maple. By the way, as well as heat, because red maple is very sensitive to high temperatures. The substrate should be permeable, loose, moist and rich in nutrients.
Pouring and fertilizing
Red maple should be kept nicely evenly moist, although it does not matter much to occasional periods of drought. You should definitely avoid waterlogging, because the weakened tree likes to react to this with a fungal infection, for example with the dreaded Verticillium wilt. Fertilize the bonsai about once a month with organic liquid fertilizer between April and August.
Cutting and wire
Essential in the education of a maple - no matter what kind and variety - is the right cutting time. So the Rotahorn should be cut back as far as possible in the spring before the foliage emergence, because at a later date, the sap pressure is too high and the tree could bleed heavily as well as shoots by dehydration lose. In autumn and in winter, the cutting is to be omitted, because in this season, the risk of fungal infection is very high. You can make the wire after the leaf cut in June, but then remove the wire before the winter break.
repotting
Young maples are ideally transplanted about every two to three years, each time receiving a new planter and fresh substrate. From the age of about ten years, repotting about every five years is enough. You should only put your maple bonsai in a shallow dish if it has already developed into a beautiful tree and the trunk has reached a healthy thickness. Keep in mind that a rooting cut must be made at the same time as each transplanting.
wintering
Although the Canadian red maple is quite accustomed to frosty temperatures from its homeland and is therefore hardy in our latitudes, nevertheless bucket specimens should receive a sufficient winter protection. Maples that stand in shallow bonsai pots should not overwinter outside if possible - they are better off in a frost-free but cool place. ideal are temperatures not above six degrees Celsius.
Tips
The red maple is very easy to grow over seedlings - the fruits already ripen shortly after the leaves are released - as well as over cuttings. Even the moss has proven itself in Ahornbonsai.