Acer Palmatum Bonsai Trees
Acer Palmatum Bonsai Tree
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Acer Palmatum Bonsai trees are one of the most common types of Acer bonsai because of their suitability to be cultivated for bonsai. These beautiful trees have very elegant branch structures, and delicately shaped leaves with 5 lobes. The seasonal variety in leaf color is what makes this bonsai one of the most popular. The reds, oranges and yellow leaf colors in Autumn make Acer Palmatum's a joy to look after and really make a garden look stunning in Autumn. The eye is immediately drawn to these trees during Autumn which is why they are so popular in bonsai and for general gardeners across the world. Acer Palmatum originally came from China and Korea, and were then cultivated by the Japanese.
The root structure of an Acer Palmatum is well suited to being grown in shallow containers so long as the roots are pruned on a regular basis. The roots are also hardy enough to deal with a good trimming.
When an Acer Palmatum matures the bark shows off a beautiful silvery trunk which is just another reason that can be added to the list of why these trees are so popular.
The above tree is a beautiful example of a well kept mature bonsai tree. This tree has 3 trunks but originally had 5. The 2 trunks that were lost have healed well and in our opinion do not detract from the beauty of this particular tree. The moss layer is a very nice touch and really finishes off this tree. This is one of the trees we have sold recently, and in our opinion would be classified as a finished tree.
The root structure of an Acer Palmatum is well suited to being grown in shallow containers so long as the roots are pruned on a regular basis. The roots are also hardy enough to deal with a good trimming.
When an Acer Palmatum matures the bark shows off a beautiful silvery trunk which is just another reason that can be added to the list of why these trees are so popular.
The above tree is a beautiful example of a well kept mature bonsai tree. This tree has 3 trunks but originally had 5. The 2 trunks that were lost have healed well and in our opinion do not detract from the beauty of this particular tree. The moss layer is a very nice touch and really finishes off this tree. This is one of the trees we have sold recently, and in our opinion would be classified as a finished tree.
Acer Palmatum Bonsai Tree Care
-An Acer Palmatum Bonsai tree can be positioned in full sun, and slight shade during the mid summer midday sun to avoid leaf scorch. These trees can tolerate cold weather but should be protected from severe frost at temperatures below -10 degrees centigrade.
-During the growing season it is best to water these trees every day, and if they are in a shallow container they can be watered twice per day. Do not water the leaves during the day as the sun will burn the leaves. During winter the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. It is preferable to water these trees with collected rainwater as opposed to chlorinated tap water. Some people use pond water if available.
-We feed the majority of our Acer Palmatums every few weeks during summer but the feeding of a finished tree will be different to the feeding program of a developing tree. Feeding trees properly is an art form in itself and heavily debated around the world and local bonsai clubs. If you have a finished tree that you just want to keep the tree looking like it is, then the feeding program and amount of feeding will be far less than a tree you are developing. A developing tree can be fed lots because you want it to grow reasonably fast.
-People tend to re-pot the mature Acer Palmatum trees every few years, and younger trees ever 1-2 years. This is another heavily debated subject because if you repot a developing tree then growth should be strong during the growing season. On the flip side if you re-pot a finished tree then the growth can also be strong which is something you do not want. So a careful balance is needed to keep a finished tree healthy without re-potting it until is is needed to avoid excessive growth.
-Pruning Acer Palmatum is also an area of debate with some keepers trimming down to one or two pairs of leaf. We generally allow a tree more leaves if it looks like it is a little weak, and cut to one pair if the tree is very strong.
Bonsai care can be a very rewarding hobby and every bonsai keeper will have to learn what works for them. Almost every area of Bonsai is heavily debated and there really is no right or wrong answers. If your trees are looking strong and healthy then chances are you are doing something right. If your bonsai trees are looking weak then you will need to change something.
-During the growing season it is best to water these trees every day, and if they are in a shallow container they can be watered twice per day. Do not water the leaves during the day as the sun will burn the leaves. During winter the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. It is preferable to water these trees with collected rainwater as opposed to chlorinated tap water. Some people use pond water if available.
-We feed the majority of our Acer Palmatums every few weeks during summer but the feeding of a finished tree will be different to the feeding program of a developing tree. Feeding trees properly is an art form in itself and heavily debated around the world and local bonsai clubs. If you have a finished tree that you just want to keep the tree looking like it is, then the feeding program and amount of feeding will be far less than a tree you are developing. A developing tree can be fed lots because you want it to grow reasonably fast.
-People tend to re-pot the mature Acer Palmatum trees every few years, and younger trees ever 1-2 years. This is another heavily debated subject because if you repot a developing tree then growth should be strong during the growing season. On the flip side if you re-pot a finished tree then the growth can also be strong which is something you do not want. So a careful balance is needed to keep a finished tree healthy without re-potting it until is is needed to avoid excessive growth.
-Pruning Acer Palmatum is also an area of debate with some keepers trimming down to one or two pairs of leaf. We generally allow a tree more leaves if it looks like it is a little weak, and cut to one pair if the tree is very strong.
Bonsai care can be a very rewarding hobby and every bonsai keeper will have to learn what works for them. Almost every area of Bonsai is heavily debated and there really is no right or wrong answers. If your trees are looking strong and healthy then chances are you are doing something right. If your bonsai trees are looking weak then you will need to change something.
Acer Palmatum Bonsai Tree
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The Acer Palmatum pictures here is a 6 trunk tree and an exceptional example of bonsai at it's best. This tree is around 70 years old and the pot alone is very valuable. The Autumn colors on this tree are simply stunning and it is a joy we have watching this tree grow throughout the seasons. Watching this particular tree come out of winter dormancy is also stunning, and we will often sit with a coffee and enjoy it's beauty.
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