One thing that inspires us to learn more about bonsai is the magnificent red of the maples. Outside of conifers like pines and junipers, the maple family is one of the most widely used species for bonsai. In this article, we’ll show you how to give your maple bonsai the attention it deserves in a straightforward and simple approach.
Maple: Very Popular Bonsai Variant
There are many distinct kinds of maples, and they can be found all throughout the world. They are fast-growing and rather small for deciduous trees. As a beautiful and useful tree, maples are often planted as ornamental trees in public spaces like parks, streets, and gardens. In addition to serving as a source of syrup, their wood is also put to use in architecture.
This family is distinguished by a particularly stunning leaf type, which also undergoes seasonal colour changes in the fall. The Latin word ‘acer’ means “sharp” and refers to the pointed points of the leaves or the reputed hardwood that was once used to create battle spears, both of which likely inspired the name.
Where Do We Place Them at Home?
They need to be exposed to full sunlight all year round in a Mediterranean environment. In the summer, shade should be provided to prevent leaf tips from being scorched by the sun.
Since maple bonsai trees thrive in temperatures between 20 and 5 degrees Celsius, they need shade in the summer to prevent their leaves from roasting and should be pulverised to encourage new growth in the winter. Maples require frost protection in areas where winters are colder.
The Proper Way to Water Them
Moderate in the winter and plentiful in the summer. The leaves are most easily pulverised in the summer when the air is more humid, making water a practical choice. However, the bonsai requires the same attentive use of the irrigation method as our other plants.
The Proper Way to Fertilise Them
The fertiliser work must be completed at two distinct times. From the onset of spring to the peak of summer (when temperatures average 35 degrees Celsius), we will fertilise with nitrogen-rich products (also known as growth fertilisers). After that, we gave the trees some downtime. Our bonsai will be fertilised with Phosphorus and Potassium-rich products when the weather cools off in the summer and continues to do so through the end of autumn. Organic solid fertilisers and liquid fertilisers work best together.
The Proper Way to Prune and Nip Them
Nipping is performed by severing the shoot and leaving the first two leaves intact and is best performed at the start of spring. Trim one or two sets of leaves if it has been left to grow too long. For a sharply defined outline, nipping is performed repeatedly over the course of its growth.
Repotting a Maple Bonsai
Because of how quickly it grows, the transplant needs to be repeated every two years. We advise Terrabonsai for the substrate, Mistral Bonsai’s proprietary potting medium. It provides your tree with the ideal environment for growth by retaining water and allowing excess water to flow away. It is possible to utilise either 100% Akadama or 70% Akadama and 30% Kiryuzuna if you are familiar with maples and have mastered the irrigation technique.
Conclusion
If you want to have a healthy and beautiful maple bonsai, it is important to follow the proper care instructions. First, you must choose the right maple tree for your climate and environment. Second, you need to provide the maple bonsai with enough sun, water, and fertiliser. Finally, you must regularly prune the maple bonsai to keep it in shape. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your maple bonsai for many years to come.
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