Bonsai Maples

Growing bonsai maples miniaturized trees in containers became extremely popular in Japan for the wealthy. Initially these miniature trees decorated the homes but then gained popularity in the garden. Soon, plants like azaleas and maples were container grown and reduced to a miniature size.

Creating these living pieces of art is an adventure and lifelong learning experience. There are several popular varieties of maple bonsai to grow, but that shouldn’t stop you from experimenting with others.

Types of maple bonsai tree

Japanese maple bonsai, japanese red maple bonsai is the most popular maple to grow as a bonsai. One of the problems that many of the species have when grown as a bonsai is the size of the leaf. Often the leaf is dramatically bigger in proportion to the plant. While this can occur occasionally on the Japanese maple, it occurs less frequently.

Trident maple bonsai are also popular because it quickly adapts to becoming a bonsai. Its normally small leaves reduce to smaller when it’s grown in a container and using the proper techniques becomes the perfect size for the trunk. The red maple is another prize bonsai but it grows very slowly and requires patients.

Soil for bonsai maples trees

The soil requirements vary with the type of maple used as a bonsai. Consider their native conditions. The red maple likes a heavier soil that retains more water far more than other maples. Most maples require a general-purpose bonsai potting soil with excellent drainage. While the other maples also like the conifer mix of soil, they can withstand less moisture in the soil.

Watering bonsai maple

Maple bonsai trees need watering more frequently in the warmer months and if the weather is hot and dry, occasionally they should be kept with the container in a shallow tray of water.

Fertilizer Bonsai Maple

In the early spring, you’ll need to fertilize the plant on a weekly basis. Once the leaves turn brown in the fall, fertilize bi-weekly. You can dissolve the fertilizer in water and place the tree in the tray up to the rim of the pot. This allows the fertilizer to absorb through the roots. Use a 10-10-10 fertilizer and don’t fertilize right after you prune your roots.

Sun Requirements

Maples are sun-loving trees so it makes sense that the bonsai version also need a lot of sunshine to be healthy. Place them in a sunny location where they receive a six hours of sun. Many of the maples do the best if they have the sunlight in the morning and get shade in the late afternoon.

Repotting the Maple Bonsai

Most maple bonsai need repotting about every 3 to 5 years. You’ll need to trim the root ball to fit into the next pot. Its best to cut the larger roots and avoid cutting the smaller feeder roots of the plant. Make sure you have an adequate layer of bonsai soil in the container before you put the tree in the container.

Bonsai Maple Trimming

Cut the new growth on the plant back so you leave only one or two leaf pairs once its has a burst of growth during the growing season. You can do leaf cutting during the mid summer but only do leaf defoliation on trees that weren’t repotted that year, on weaker varieties with red leaves or 2 years running. Do any hard pruning in the fall after the plant loses its leaves or in the semi-dormant time in the mid summer.

Diseases and Pests

Scale insects and caterpillars are enemies of the bonsai maple. The plant can suffer from cholorosis if it lacks iron. It also is prone to verticillum wilt and viruses. Burnt leaves may occur if you it is underfed, under or over watered or doesn’t have a dormancy period.

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