Japanese maple bonsai care

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Japanese bonsai is considered as ‘the queen of bonsai‘. One of the easiest and most popular plants for bonsai culture, Japanese maple tree is easy to grow. There are many varieties of Japanese maple tree that can be used to make a bonsai. Continue reading varieties of Japanese maple trees for bonsai (list of 29 common varieties)

A plant with small, delicate leaves and fine twigs, its five- to seven-lobed leaves produce very elegant shapes. The color of the leaves depends on the variety of the Japanese maple.

By producing new buds on all parts of the branches, and forming a compact, fibrous root system, Japanese maple responds well to all methods of bonsai training.

In addition to healing quickly, the young branches are also flexible and can be easily fixed in place after wiring.

Some of the popular Japanese maple cultivators are listed below:

Please read 10 best Japanese maple varieties for bonsai.

• Deshojo – It is easy to care for and eye-catching, making it one of the most popular cultivars of Acer palmatum. Bright red foliage in spring is followed by a darker red as it matures, and then by green foliage in summer. Pink leaves appear in autumn before they fall. Late spring frosts are not detrimental to the foliage.
• Beni-chidori – This cultivar has smaller leaves and a dense branching pattern similar to Deshojo. As new leaves emerge in spring, they are soft red, turning pink then mid green in summer. The leaves turn red in autumn. Unique small leaves of this Japanese maple variety makes it a much sought after bonsai maple tree.
• Seigai – (Also called ‘seigen‘) Also popular, but not suitable for beginners. In the temperate climates of some regions of Europe and North America, it is said to be difficult to grow. Winter frost and cold winds will scorch new leaves in spring and winter. Spring brings a soft, luminescent pink glow to the leaves, which have long, elegant lobes. Their color of the leaves changes from reddish brown to deep green as the year progresses.
• Shisio – ‘Shisio‘ (syn. ‘Chisio’) retains its red color for a bit longer than ‘Deshojo‘, so it retains its red color longer before it turns green in summer. As autumn approaches, the leaves return to their red color.
• Kamagata – This dwarf Japanese maple cultivar has mostly five-lobed leaves, but occasionally three-lobed leaves as well. The leaves turn from rich or rusty red in spring to a brilliant light green in summer. During autumn, the tree’s colors change from yellow to orange, and sometimes red.
• Kiyohime – It has small five lobed leaves that turn orange-red in spring, become rich green in summer, and turn yellow, orange and red in autumn. It is a dwarf cultivar of Acer palmatum that is low, compact, and spreads widely. One of the first deciduous trees in the spring to break bud, also this tree drops its leaves in the fall last.
• Shin deshojo – Shin deshojo means ‘new Deshojo‘. Similar to Deshojo variety, the leaves will retain their beautiful color for a longer period of time if provided with good sunlight. The leaves turn brilliant crimson or flaming red as the season progresses in early spring. During the summer, the five-lobed leaves remain red, but fade to reddish-green in late summer, and finally to orange and red in autumn.

Hundreds of Japanese maple cultivars are available, including those with Japanese, European, and American origins. In addition to ‘Osakazuki‘ (which has brilliant red autumn foliage) and ‘Senkaki‘ (which has lovely coral-pink new growth in winter), there are other good varieties as well.

All different varieties of Japanese maple are hardy and only require protection in the most severe weather.

For all other bonsai tree species you can grow, please read : Types of bonsai trees

Best location keep Japanese maple Bonsai

The Japanese maple should be kept outdoors at all times except during intense frost and cold snap, when it is advisable to bring it into a frost-free shed or indoor location. These trees will thrive outdoors unless the temperatures drop below -10°F (-23°C). Continue reading do bonsai trees need sunlight for more indoor and outdoor bonsai location ideas.

Full sun is best for Japanese maples bonsai, but the roots should not be allowed to dry out; otherwise, the margins of the leaves will burn.

As long as they are kept in full sun throughout the summer, they will produce better autumn color than if grown in shade. However, avoid strong direct sunlight exposure as it may damage the leaves (leaf scorch). 

Additionally, make sure that the tree is kept in a well-ventilated area. A lack of ventilation will result in leaf drop. Other factors can also cause your tree to display stress symptoms such as stunted growth, dried or burnt leaves and leaf drop. Please read why is my Japanese maple bonsai dying for more details. Also read how to revive a dying Japanese maple bonsai.

However, be sure to protect against strong winds. Continue reading outdoor bonsai tree care.

Can you grow a Japanese maple bonsai indoors

It is not recommended to keep the Japanese maple bonsai indoors. The only time they should be brought indoors is when:

• The temperature is too low or there is major temperature fluctuation (such as a cold snap).
• During their leaf period, they can be displayed indoors for a few days.

It is important to bring the bonsai tree back outdoors as soon as the temperature rises. Or else the tree will leaf out earlier than expected.

Japanese maple trees when potted in pots are hardy to zone 6-9. They can easily survive outdoors in winter. As mentioned earlier, if the temperature drop below -10°F (-23°C), provide it protection by placing the bonsai in an unheated indoor location. Please read how to take care of Japanese maple bonsai in winter season for more details.

For more information on how to keep your outdoor bonsai thriving in different seasons of the year, please read seasonal care for bonsai trees.

Propagation Japanese maple

Japanese maple seeds can be sown in winter. It is advisable to collect seeds of Japanese maple in the fall season. One important thing to remember is that Japanese maple seeds do not grow true to the mother plant. Grafting and cutting propagation is the only way you can produce a true copy of the mother plant. Continue reading about how to grow Japanese maple bonsai from seeds.

Spring and early summer is the best time to take softwood cuttings. It is important to note that propagating Japanese maple from cuttings is not easy. It takes time and special care for the cuttings to root. Continue reading about how to grow Japanese maple bonsai from cuttings.

If you are growing your bonsai by seeds or cuttings, it will take 5-7 years to make a bonsai tree with basic bonsai shape and secondary and tertiary branches.

The seedlings produced from seeds or cuttings are easy to care for. With proper care you will be able to grow a healthy Japanese maple plant and train it into a beautiful bonsai tree. Please read how to take care of Japanese maple bonsai saplings and also how to train a Japanese maple seedling into a bonsai.

Watering Japanese maple Bonsai

For best results, water the tree when the soil feels dry to the touch. Put your finger in the soil (an inch or so) If the upper layer feels dry then water the tree. However, do not pour water (you can spray the foliage however) on leaves in direct sunlight to avoid scorching.

Watering frequency also depends on the climate. You might find yourself watering Japanese maple in pot twice a day in hot summers.

In winter, water sparingly. Make sure that the soil is always moist, avoiding both waterlogging and dryness. Do not water when the temperatures are below freezing. Continue reading watering Japanese maple bonsai tree.

As Japanese maples need slightly acidic soil conditions, use rainwater instead of tap water if you can.

Whenever you water these plants, make sure the water flows through the drainage holes in the bottom of the bonsai pot.

Continue reading about how to water a bonsai tree.

Wiring Japanese maple Bonsai

You should wire the branches when they are bare in the fall, before new growth begins in spring. Partially defoliated branches can also be wired.

Use aluminum wire as the branches are fragile. Wrap the wire with a wet cloth to avoid scarring the branches.

Wires should not be left on for longer than six months and should be removed as soon as the bark begins to bite into them.

If you want to protect maple stems from unsightly wire marks, wrap them in raffia.

Remember that maples are quite brittle. Hence, it is more preferable to guy down the branches.

Best time of wiring is also after fresh leaf cutting.

Please read our detailed guide on how to wire a bonsai tree. Also, refer to our detailed bonsai tools guide and how to take proper care of your bonsai tools to know about all the tools of bonsai.

Pruning Japanese maple Bonsai

When to prune Japanese maple bonsai?

The new leaves should be pruned in early summer when they are fully mature and ‘hardened’. These leaves will have a darker color and be tough.

Pruning Japanese maple bonsai can be done at any time of the year. However, spring pruning and summer pruning will produce different results on the tree. Also, I would recommend not to perform too much pruning in the fall season (especially for colder regions) as we don’t want the tree to enter winter season with new flush of growth resulting from fall pruning.

To induce vigorous growth on the tree, you can perform pruning in early spring when the new buds are starting to grow. On the other hand, late summer pruning will not result in vigorous growth. Its mostly done to reduce the size of the tree. Continue reading How to prune Japanese maple bonsai

The new growth should be trimmed to 1-2 pairs of leaves in spring. Take out large leaves constantly during growing season.

Cut back the long internodes to reduce internodal distances. Defoliation will also have the same effect.

Also, complete leaf cutting (complete defoliation or partial defoliation) in midsummer will encourage growth of smaller leaves and brighter autumn colors. Continue reading about how to defoliate Japanese maple bonsai.

Main branches can be pruned in late winter. Mid summer is also a good time to remove big branches since the tree is very active and will heal more quickly. For shaping the tree you can prune the new growth all throughout the growing season.

Refer to how to prune a bonsai tree for more info on best practices and tips and tricks.

Pinching Japanese maple Bonsai

Once two or four complete leaves have formed on all new shoots, pinch out the tips. This can be done as needed throughout the year.

Repotting Japanese maple Bonsai

When to repot Japanese maple bonsai?

Japanese maple can be repotted in every one to three years in spring, when the buds are just elongating. However, it can also be repotted in late winter.

You can stick to this routine of repotting the Japanese maple bonsai until it is 10 years old. After that you can repot when ever necessary. (eg. changing the pot, pot bound roots, pests and diseases, root damage etc).

In case the Japanese maple bonsai is not pot-bound, you can postpone the repotting. Remove circling and damaged roots and prune the roots up to the woody roots. Try and create a strong nebari. These woody roots are needed for stabilizing the plant. Keep as many fibrous roots as possible.  

When you repot, don’t remove more than one-third of the roots. It takes the plant quite a while to develop a strong fibrous root ball.

What type of soil for Japanese maple bonsai

The Japanese maple bonsai tree adapts well to most soil types. The only thing you need to remember is that the soil should be free-draining. These trees also like acidic soil (5.5 to 6.5 pH). However, do not worry about the soil pH, just make sure you do not use a highly alkaline soil.

What is the best soil mix for Japanese maple bonsai?

There is no specific “best” soil mix for Japanese maple bonsai. As long as the soil is free draining and neutral to slightly acidic, you will grow a health bonsai tree. Avoid high nitrogen soil.

Below are some of the Japanese maple bonsai soil mix you can use:

• Mix of Akadama and Pumice – 7:3 ratio (Use small akadama for small to medium sized bonsai trees) Pumice also has an advantage that it doesn’t break down.
• Mix of Akadama (50%), pumice (25%) and lava rock (25%)
• Mix of Pine bark (80%), peat (15%) and perlite (5%)
• Mix of Akadama and perlite (or lava rock) – 1:1 ratio.
• For young seedlings and young trees you can use Pine bark and pumice in the ratio of 7:3.

*Make sure you sift the pine bark before use. The sifted fine particles can be used in your garden.

You can read how to repot a bonsai tree to know more about the best guidelines to follow while repotting.

Also, continue reading about how to make bonsai soil at home and how to choose a pot for your bonsai.

Feeding Japanese maple Bonsai

Japanese maples should be fertilized as soon as the new leaves have hardened, which is about one month after they emerge in the spring.

Until early summer, apply a high-nitrogen feed once a month. Stop feeding with nitrogen in fall. Or else the plant will not go dormant in the winter. This will damage the tree as it is too active in the winter season.

The leaves will be more vibrant in color if you switch to a potassium and phosphate-rich feed in the fall. This will also prevent soft growth before winter. Please read detailed guide on fertilizing Japanese maple bonsai tree.

OR

During the growing season, feed a balanced general-purpose feed to the plant. Substitute this with a nitrogen-free feed during the fall and summer.

OR

You can also do this weekly. During the first month, feed once a week, then every two weeks until summer.

You should not feed your tree during the winter when it is dormant.

A soil acidifier should be applied twice a year in hard water areas.

Continue reading about bonsai fertilizer and its application.

Diseases and pest of Japanese maple Bonsai

Scale insects and aphids often attack these acers. When pests are too many to be removed manually, apply a systemic insecticide.

Aphids can be little tricky due to their tendency to adopt the same color as the shoots they feed on, they are difficult to spot.

Refer the in-depth guide for bonsai pest and diseases identification and treatment for more details.

Also, read best practices to keep your bonsai pest free.

Japanese maple bonsai care

Protect the Japanese maple bonsai roots in winter.

Japanese maple loves acidic soil. You can add Kanuma or ericaceous compost to lower the bonsai soil pH.

Summer winds can scorch leaves, so wind protection is essential in summer.

Fine shoots can be killed by a cold wind in winter.

For Japanese maple bonsai winter care, make sure the soil – and the roots – remain just moist, and not wet.

To prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged by winter rain, place the Japanese maple bonsai indoor in a shed or garage.

What to look for when buying Japanese maple Bonsai

As a result of their popularity, Japanese maple bonsai are widely available. A tree can be as small as a “starter” tree or as large as a masterpiece (and costly).

The species is favored for its feminine appearance, so more rugged styles like root-over-rock are seldom seen.

As Japanese maples are very popular, they are produced on a large scale. And most of the Japanese maples on sale have ugly and pruning wounds.

They also might have multiple branches growing from a single location from the trunk.

You should avoid these Japanese maples until you are absolutely sure that you can fix the wounds by carving.

In case of buying a forest or group bonsai style planting, check the leaves of the plants carefully to make sure that the plants are of the same variety.