As with any bonsai tree, watering Japanese maple bonsai is one of the crucial aspects of caring for the tree. Continue reading Japanese maple bonsai tree care.
Japanese maple bonsai watering is easy. However, some bonsai growers struggle to maintain an effective watering routine for their bonsai trees. The reasons can be many such as: over-caring, improper soil assessment technique, incorrect understanding of Japanese maple water requirements, and not keeping track of outdoor environmental conditions etc.
How to water Japanese maple bonsai?
When you are watering a Japanese maple bonsai, there are few key things that you need to keep in mind:
- Make sure that the bonsai soil is free draining.
- Unlike most of the other bonsai tree varieties, they do not like a soil that is moist all the time. Wet feet or boggy soil will cause root damage and also slow the tree growth as the root system will not expand. This principle applies to both potted trees and trees planted in the ground.
- Once you have watered your Japanese maple bonsai, let the soil dry out before watering it again. Saturate the root ball then let that tree dry out completely. It will not only ensure that the tree is healthy, but also ensure that it grows rapidly. Avoid watering it over the head as much as possible as the foliage of the tree is tender and you also run the risk of leaf scorching (from mid-day sun) if the bonsai is kept in a sunny location.
- To check if the bonsai tree needs watering, do a ‘finger test‘. A finger test is the best way to determine whether the bonsai needs to be watered. There is no need to use expensive devices like a humidity meter or a moisture meter. Put your finger in the soil (about an inch or so). If the upper layer of the soil feels dry, water your bonsai.
- Keep the bonsai pots raised from the ground. Use pot feet (or pots with feet). This will greatly help with drainage of water.
- DO NOT use a humidity tray under the bonsai pot for Japanese maples. This will prevent water drainage and can lead to root rot.
- Keep checking the root ball and check if the roots are pot bound. For several seasons your tree will be perfectly healthy with the watering routine you follow. But when the roots are pot bound, they occupy more space in the soil leaving less space for water. You will notice in mid summer that your tree is losing leaves and rest of the foliage might be scorched. This is because it is drying out more quickly, so you will have to increase watering frequency and repot the plant in spring.
- Underwatering Japanese maple bonsai: Underwatering the plant will cause leaf scorching. This is especially common in hot summers. An underwatered Japanese maple will also start loosing its leaves.
- Overwatering Japanese maple bonsai: Interestingly, the foliage of the tree will have a scorched look (mostly starting from the tips of the leaves) when the tree is underwatered or overwatered. This is especially dangerous. Because some bonsai growers might think that this is happening because of underwatering, and they end up watering the bonsai even more. Therefore, always perform a finger test and check if the soil is dry or too wet. Over watering will also cause fungal infections and root rot.
- In early spring or summer, when you are fertilizing the bonsai, make sure that you water the plant more frequently. The leaves will scorch if the plant does not have enough water to absorb all those nutrients.
- Also, if you have installed an automated watering system, make sure that you have set the correct timer depending on various seasons of the year. You will be able to determine this after you have established a watering routine based on your zone. Keep the settings so that the bonsai tree is watered only after the soil has become dry to the touch.
- Furthermore, keep track of the weather. If the bonsai tree is outdoors and exposed to the rain, do not water the bonsai. Be cautious especially if you have installed automated watering system. The automatic watering system waters the bonsai regardless of the irregularities in the environment.
- When in doubt, the Japanese maple bonsai is better off underwatered than overwatered. These trees dislike constant wet feet. Over watering will cause root rot and fungal infections.
- Over watering will also adversely affect the fall color. You will get the best fall color when the nights are cooler and watering is reduced.
- It is important to note that you should water according to your geographical location. Keep track of how much natural water your tree receives. This will help you make your own custom watering routing that is suitable for your Japanese maple bonsai in your location (zone).
- Environmental conditions are the key factor in determining your watering frequency. More water will be required in the summer season and the least amount of water will be required in the winter.
- Bonsai trees that are planted in bonsai containers will need more water than the trees that are planted in the ground. An established Japanese maple in the ground can easily adapat and survive.
- Also when planting Japanese maple in the ground, do not plant the tree near trees that require more water than Japanese maple. You will overwater your Japanese maple as you water other trees that require more water.
How often to water Japanese maple bonsai?
The frequency of watering Japanese maple bonsai depends on various factors such as growing location (sun or shade), season, type of soil (quick draining or moisture retentive), whether it is planted in a pot or ground, conditions of the roots, age of the tree, season, state of the tree (dormant or active) and fertilization schedule.
- Growing location: Bonsai in hotter regions will need more watering than in colder regions. Also, a bonsai kept in full sun will need more watering than a bonsai kept in shade.
- Season: The bonsai tree will need more watering in the summer or the spring. The frequency of watering will decrease as you enter the fall season. In the winter, the least amount of watering will be needed.
- Type of soil: Every soil is different. The more water the soil retains, the less watering is needed. On the other hand, if the soil quickly drains, more watering will be needed.
- Whether the tree is planted in a pot or in the ground: Generally, trees planted in the ground will need less water than trees that are potted in a pot. Trees in the ground are more established. They can take care of their water needs relatively easily.
- Conditions of the roots: When the roots are pot bound, most of the soil space is taken up by the roots leaving less space for water. Hence, you will need to water more frequently. Repot the bonsai. Continue reading about how to repot a bonsai tree.
- Age of the tree: Young trees require more water for growth than mature established trees.
- State of the tree: A tree that is leafing out will require more water than a tree that is not actively growing. Adjust the watering frequency accordingly.
- Fertilization schedule: When you fertilize the bonsai, you will also have to increase the watering frequency. In order for the plant to absorb all of the nutrients from the fertilizer, it will need more water.
How often should I water my Japanese maple bonsai in the winter?
Freezing has the same drying effect that a hot summer day has. However in the winter, Japanese maple bonsai will become dormant. Hence, there will be little need for water.
Despite that, this does not mean that no water will be required in winter. You will still have to water the bonsai at least 2-3 times during the winter season. This even applies to Japanese maple bonsai trees that are placed indoors (in zone 5) during the winter. If not watered properly in winter, you run the risk of freeze drying the roots of your Japanese maple bonsai. Perform the ‘finger test‘ before watering the bonsai. Touch the soil and if the soil is damp do not water the plant.
Only water the tree when the temperature is above freezing. Furthermore, too much watering in winter will kill the plant.
Remember that water is crucial for bonsai to quickly recover after a frost or cold snap. Plants really like being watered when the temperature warms up after freezing temperatures. Hence, it is a wise idea to water the bonsai after a freeze. Continue reading Japanese maple bonsai winter care.
How to water young Japanese maple bonsai planted in the ground
To establish the plant, it is wise to plant the tree in the ground. This is also especially helpful in the winter season, as it gets watered naturally by the elements such as rain, snow etc. Rain water is also the best water for any bonsai tree.
The watering frequency and management of water also helps the plant in setting its roots. When Japanese maple roots dry out, they expand further in search of water. This leads to greater spread of the root system and eventually results in a healthier and faster growing plant.
While selecting a site for your young Japanese maple, dig a hole and fill it with water. If the hole absorbs all the water, it is an ideal site for your plant. If the hole retains water, you will need to improve the soil so that it drains rapidly. Also, select a site that is not close to other trees that need more water.
Plant the tree and water it. After 2 days, water the plant again. Now keep increasing the gap between watering. For example, re-watering after 4 days and then again after a week.
By doing this, you are letting the roots dry out completely before you water again. This will cause the roots to expand even more. This will help establish the plant and increase its size.
Do not overcare for the tree. Generally, those trees that are over cared for (such as over watering or over fertilizing) are in trouble.
