Cultivating a Japanese Maple Bonsai
Acer palmatum is popularly called as Japanese maple or Smooth Japanese maple. It is popularly propagated as a miniature tree when it comes into broadleaf characteristic. Japanese maple bonsai is one of the most in demand miniature tree species.
Aside from its broadleaf feature, it can be a very attractive miniature tree because it comes in different forms, colors, and shapes. Its leaves contain five to nine acutely pointed lobes. Japanese maple is a deciduous shrub that is native tree from Asia, particularly from the countries Japan, China, and Korea. It produces flowers that appear in small cymes. Each flower may have five red or purple sepals and five white petals.
Acer palmatum has three main subspecies: Acer palmatum palmatum, Acer palmatum matsumurae, and Acer palmatum amoenum. Those three families are used as bonsai but Acer palmatum palmatum is popularly propagated as a miniature tree. Japanese maple tree have two main colors, the green and the red.
Growing a little tree needs creativity, patience and a lot of dedication. There are a lot of tree species that can be very excellent miniature tree, and one of them is the Japanese maple bonsai. It is said that Japanese maple bonsai has two characteristics, both juvenile and adult. You can grow a Japanese maple bonsai from seedlings, grafts, or you can purchase a grown up Japanese maple from garden centers or from online shops.
Proper care and maintenance should be given to a Japanese maple bonsai so that it will flourish beautifully. First thing you need to know is that you should not place it under direct sunlight because too much heat can cause drying up of the leaves. It is best placed in areas with shades such as the living room or indoors. Second thing to be considered is the type of soil. There are a lot of soil types available in garden centers and nursery. Just make sure you use a soil mixture that absorbs enough water and drains excess water from the pot.
In terms of watering the plant, it requires to check it every day to make sure that the soil is moist all the time. You can check the soil by burying an inch of your finger into the soil, and when if it is dry, water it thoroughly. It is best to water plant during morning to allow water evaporate in the afternoon and this will help prevent root rotting and fungus formation which will cause damage to the bonsai roots. Excessive watering is most likely not advisable and it also required to have a good pot drainage to allow excess water to flow out from the bonsai pot.
Spring is the period of the year wherein plants and trees grows at its peak. It is recommended to use fertilizers at this time to support and encourage the growth of Japanese maple bonsai. You can use a natural fertilizer or a chemical fertilizer. Fish emulsion or any other homemade fertilizers can be a good natural fertilizer to your bonsai. You can ask a bonsai specialist to help you choose the right type of fertilizer that suits your miniature tree and how is it applied.
About the Author
Preston Blackmore is a Bonsai enthusiast. He has worked with local masters to learn everything there is to know about Bonsai. Now these years of research and development are at your fingertips. For more information on Japanese Maple Bonsai, visit http://www.beginnerbonsaiguide.com/japanese-maple-bonsai
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