Species from the Aceraceae family, originating from Japan.
It is a deciduous tree, with five lobes (palmatum), yellow/orange in color, which fades in the Summer and becomes more pronounced again when the leaf falls.
The Acer Palmatum Katsura Bonsai is an outdoor plant.
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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 sprouting, which turns green in the summer and returns to red tones when the leaf falls.
Also, the "Yatsubusa" varieties (Palmatum Kashima or Kihoime) are highly valued for the small size of their leaves and short internodes, making very compact plants, usually produced in the Hokidashi style (round crown), as they do not have apical dominance, and thus their energy is more balanced.
Location: Outdoors, where it receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frost.
It is very hardy, 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 entire 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 and never by immersion, using a watering can with fine nozzles.
Tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet watering.
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 is a lot of 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 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 consisting 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 the rest of our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: The leaf tends to grow and the internodes lengthen in some species. Usually, we have to control growth at the beginning of sprouting with "Metsumi".
In summer, as long as they are healthy, they can be defoliated to produce a new leaf sprout, which besides being smaller, will have a better autumn coloration.
Tips on pruning, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Transplanting: With Terra Bonsai Folhosas in February/March, before the start of sprouting.
Details on transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use, consult the transplanting technical sheet.
Wiring: Usually at the end of winter before sprouting, or in summer with total defoliation.
Instructions on wiring, consult the wiring technical sheet.
