One of the most popular trees used for bonsai is the Japanese Maple, whose botanical name is Acer palmatum. Bonsai aficionados enjoy this tree for it’s delicate leaves, it’s natural small size, but mostly for it’s beautiful fall colors. The leaves of the Japanese Maple look somewhat like a human hand, from which it’s botanical name is derived. It is a popular bonsai subject in Japan and throughout the world. There are several varieties of Acer palmatum, including thread-leaf and lace-leaf varieties, and both green and red varieties. The most popular of these varieties is the red variety.
How to Properly Water Your Japanese Maple
Regular watering is critically important to your Japanese maple bonsai and should begin in the springtime when the first signs of new growth appear, and continued through summer into late fall when the tree has lost all of it’s leaves. Proper watering is so important to the health of your bonsai trees. Japanese Maples prefer moist soil. Be sure you check on the moisture level of your tree’s soil on a regular basis and watger as needed. The best way to water your Japanese Maple is to water it in the morning. Let it dry out over the course of the day but never allow it to become completely dry. Be sure that your bonsai pots always have adequate drainage holes to allow all excess water to drain adequately. Poor drainage will result in the roots sitting in water which will cause your plant to develop root rot.
Healthy Levels of Sunlight
When given the perfect levels of sunlight your maple will have better back-budding and produce smaller leaves, which is preferable. Avoid burning the sensiteve and delicate leaves of your Japanese Maple by providing it with sufficient protection from the intense mid-day sun. The ideal location for your Japanese maple bonsai is in a place where it will be able to receive direct early morning and evening sun, but that is protected from being in direct sunlight during the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are the most intense, and is the hottest part of the day. The delicate foliage can “burn” if exposed to overly intense direct summer sun. Spring and autumn, on the other hand, are good times for direct sun exposure because the sunlight is relatively mild during those seasons. Summer winds can also cause the leaves to lose their moisture with damage resulting from “wind burn”. Your Japanese Maple will be especially vulnerable to sun and wind burn for a week or more after pruning it’s roots and re-potting it. Be sure you keep it out of harsh sun and wind during this time.
Japanese maples, while being hardy, should be placed in an area that is protected from cold and harsh winter winds also. Keep your Japanese Maple sheltered from winter winds too, because these winds can also be quite dry, and if your bonsai is left exposed to these winds it could result in serious damage to the tree.
Humidity
Plants thrive in humid environments, and the Japanese maple is no exception. Humidity can be increased by filling a shallow container with small stones, and then covering the stones with water, and then placing your bonsai pot on top of the stones. As the water evaporates from the shallow pan it will furnish humidity to your bonsai plant which will slow the process of transpiration. Another way to increase the humidity level and reduce the transpiration of water from the leaves is to give your bonsai a frequent spraying with a fine mist.
Feeding and Fertilizing
You can start fertilizing your Japanese maple bonsai in the spring after it has begun showing new growth. Use a high nitrogen, slow release fertilizer, and continue fertilizing every two to three weeks clear through mid-fall. A good choice for a natural fertilizer is fish emulsion. If you’re using a chemical fertilizer make sure that you only use a half strength solution. A balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer is recommended. Back off on feeding for three to four weeks during the hottest part of the summer. You can help prepare your bonsai for the upcoming winter by switching to a low nitrogen fertilizer beginning in mid-autumn. This will harden off the current years new growth.
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