Species from the Aceraceae family, originating from Japan.
It is a deciduous tree, with five lobes (palmatum), perhaps the most well-known and appreciated deciduous tree in Bonsai.
The Yamamomiji variety is highly valued for its small leaf size and great compacting ability due to short internodes, sprouting yellow/orange and turning green in the summer.
Acer Palmatum Yamamomiji Bonsai is an outdoor plant.
Scientific Name: Acer Palmatum
Characterization: Member of the Aceraceae family, it originates from Japan.
Deciduous tree, with five lobes (palmatum), it is perhaps the most well-known and appreciated deciduous tree in Bonsai.
There are many varieties used for Bonsai, with the most different colors and leaf sizes. The best known and appreciated is the "Deshojo", for its red tone at budding, which becomes greenish in Summer and returns to red tones when the leaf falls.
The "Yatsubusa" varieties (Palmatum Kashima or Kihoime) are also very appreciated for the small size of their leaves and short internodes, which make very compact plants, usually produced in Hokidashi style (round crown), as they do not have apical dominance, thus their energy is more balanced.
Location: Outdoors, where it gets 2 to 3 hours of direct sun per day (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frost.
It is very resistant, but it is common in mid-Summer for the leaves to appear sunburned, so they should be protected from the very strong midday sun, practically throughout the entire Summer season.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until a lot of water comes out of the drainage holes, in order to evenly moisten the soil, always from above and never by immersion, using a watering can with fine nozzles.
For watering tips, consult the watering technical sheet.
Let the top layer of soil dry slightly between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers), but be careful as water consumption increases a lot when there are many new leaves in spring.
If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent root rot).
There is no advantage in misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but make sure the leaves dry by night to avoid fungi.
Nutrition: From February to September/October, with a basic plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.
Detailed information on how to combine these products with others from our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: The leaves tend to grow and the internodes become long in some species. Usually, growth must be controlled at the beginning of budding with "Metsumi".
In Summer, as long as they are healthy, they can be defoliated to produce a new leaf growth, which besides being smaller, will have a better Autumn coloration.
For pruning tips, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Repotting: With Leafy Bonsai Soil in February/March, before the start of budding.
Details about repotting, post-repotting and specific strengthening products you can use, consult the repotting technical sheet.
Wiring: Usually at the end of Winter before budding, or in Summer with total defoliation.
Instructions about wiring, consult the wiring technical sheet.
