Japanese Maple Bonsai
Beginners to bonsai are sometimes overwhelmed by the amount of time it can take to grow and tend to a tree. If choosing an already grown tree, the Japanese Maple makes an excellent starting point. They are fairly easy to grow and look after.Also known as Acer Palmatum, it is a deciduous tree whose coloured leaves can range in colours from gold to a deep red.
There are several varieties of Japanese maple, but they are all beautiful colours for most of the year. The leaves change colour with the changing seasons.
The Bloodgood Japanese maple bonsai tree is a gorgeous specimen. It has a beautiful shape, and leaves that are purply red in the summer, changing to a bright cherry red in the autumn.
Maples flourish in the summer in partial shade and in the winter the cold conditions which induce their dormancy.
They need daily water in the summer growing period, and in the winter the soil just needs to be kept damp. Repotting should be done yearly for the first 10 years. More established trees need to be repotted every three years.
The Japanese Maple bonsai is a tree that is generally free from problems, but may suffer from aphids ocassionally. This can be nipped in the bud though by regular checks of the leaves surface.
When first buying your Maple Bonsai there are 3 things that it is essential to look for in your specimen, the good news is that they are all common sense.
Firstly make sure that the Bonsai tree has strong roots and that the branches are not snapped or stripped of leaves.
Second, check the tree for disease or infestation. Anyone can see if the tree is unhealthy you dont need to be a Bonsai master.
Lastly make sure that the tree looks like the photos that you see on websites or in books. If its discoloured and looks shabby then the chances are that it wont last long and wont be worth the time and effort that it would take to ressurect it.
Choosing a healthy Japanese Maple bonsai with good looks and colours should be a good start for you on the journey to becoming a master bonsai grower.
