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, sprouts yellow/orange and turns to shades of 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 diverse colors and leaf sizes. The best known and appreciated is the "Deshojo", for its red tone when budding, which turns greenish in summer and returns to red tones when the leaves fall.
The "Yatsubusa" varieties (Palmatum Kashima or Kihoime) are also highly valued for their small leaf size 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 receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight daily (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frosts.
It is very resilient, but it is common in mid-summer for the leaves to appear sunburned, so they should be protected from the strong midday sun, practically throughout the summer season.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water comes out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above never by immersion, using a watering can with fine nozzles.
Tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet.
Allow the surface layer of soil to dry slightly between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers), but be aware that water consumption increases greatly when there is much new leaf growth 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 fertilizing, and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry before 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, see the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: The leaf tends to grow and the internodes become long in some species. Usually, we need to control growth at the start 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 better autumn coloration.
Tips about pruning, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Transplanting: With Terra Bonsai Folhosas in February/March, before budding begins.
Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use, see the transplanting technical sheet.
Wiring: Usually at the end of winter before budding, or in summer with total defoliation.
Guidance on wiring, see the wiring technical sheet.
