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 Deshojo variety is highly valued for its strong red tone during budding and after defoliation, as well as for its magnificent autumn coloration, which ranges through different shades of yellow/orange/red.
Acer Palmatum Deshojo is an outdoor Bonsai.
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.
Also, the varieties "Yatsubusa" (Palmatum Kashima or Kihoime) are highly 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, 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 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 summer season.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water flows out of the drainage holes, in order to evenly moisten the soil, always from above, never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.
Tips about watering, consult the watering technical sheet.
Allow the surface layer of the soil to dry slightly between each watering (to confirm if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers), but pay attention as water consumption increases greatly when there are many new leaves in spring.
If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent the roots from rotting).
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 ensure 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 the others in 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 to lengthen in some species. Usually, we have to control growth at the beginning of budding with "Metsumi".
In summer, as long as they are healthy, they can be defoliated to produce a new leaf flush, which, besides being smaller, will have better autumn coloration.
Tips about pruning, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Transplant: With Bonsai Leafy Soil in February/March, before budding starts.
Details about transplant, post-transplant care and specific fortifiers you can use, consult the transplant technical sheet.
Wiring: Usually at the end of winter before budding, or in summer with total defoliation.
Guidance on wiring, consult the wiring technical sheet.
