After you’ve purchased your Maple Bonsai, the big question is: how to care for it❓
Considering the potential hazards for careless care and inappropriate management of a Maple Bonsai. It’s essential to accustom yourself with the right guidelines to efficiently care for your Maple Japanese Bonsai.
Contents
Major Maple Bonsai Caring Guidelines:
Placement ☀️
Maple Japanese Bonsai thrives in an airy and conducive climate condition. If you want to place it at any spot, ensure it is placed in a spot with indirect sunlight or light. Avoid direct sunlight or intensely heated locations that can destroy your maple.
The temperature range for placement should be in an area with a temperature range of 40°F (4°C) to 75°F (24°C). 🌡️
Soil ⛰️
Maple Japanese Bonsai trees require a rich, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil that discourages waterlogging and drains properly. Like most Bonsai trees, a balanced pH range of 6.0–7.0 is sufficient.
Wiring and Styling
Wiring and styling of Maple Japanese Bonsai trees can be done concurrently if you like it that way.
Wiring can be done in winter and late spring, just when the new leaves have hardened off and the branches are flexible. Use more flexible aluminum-copper wires to avoid damaging the branches.
To wire, start from the trunk and find your way up. You can style a Maple Japanese bonsai tree by gently bending it to form semi-cascading, cascading, formal upright, and any other bonsai style of your choice.
Overall, the wiring and styling are based on your fancy.
Pruning ✂️
Pruning goes a long way when it comes to Maple Japanese Bonsai trees. Pruning helps regulate the growth of Maple Bonsai and also removes dead, diseased, or damaged trees or leaves.
Let’s examine some pruning tools first before we explore major areas.
Use Conclave to cut branches and stems, and scissors to trim small branches or leaves.
Pruning: Before pruning a maple bonsai, allow leaves to harden off in May. So that when you prune, the new growth will align perfectly.
Also, remove 80–90% of Maple Bonsai leaves to effectively achieve your desired prune because defoliation doesn’t work much on Maple; they’re slightly resistant.
Reporting
You can report Bonsai every 2-3 years. It’s ideal to remove all the soil from the root, and you can cut or trim up to 40% of the dead root before replanting it.
Add new soil, ideally a well-drained soil. You can also use an Akadama-based mix: Akadama (50–70%), Pumice (20–30%), and Lava rock (5–10)
The overall idea is to keep your Bonsai healthy-looking.
Watering and Fertilizing 💦
Watering regularly can encourage healthier Maple Bonsai growth and protect your Maple Bonsai tree from withering away. Water only when the soil is slightly dry. Avoid watering when the soil is dampened.
Meanwhile, fertilizing supports Maple Bonsai growth. It’s advised to apply appropriate Bonsai fertilizer at the early growing stage of the Maple Japanese Bonsai tree.
Pest/Insect Control
Maple Japanese Bonsai, like most Bonsais, is susceptible to diseases and harm induced by pets or insects like aphids, spiders, and verticillium.
If you check the button and notice any spider or insect, remove it gently and wash the spot with clean water. Use Bonsai tree insecticide around Maple Bonsai trees to prevent potential harmful pests and diseases.
Conclusion
This information will help you manage and care for your Japanese Maple Bonsai tree, ensuring a stress-free, rewarding caring experience.