Species of the Aceraceae family, native to 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, and for the magnificent autumn coloration, which goes through different shades of yellow/orange/red.
The Acer Palmatum Deshojo 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 most known and appreciated is the "Deshojo," for its red tone in budding, which turns green in summer and returns to red tones when the leaf falls.
Also, the "Yatsubusa" varieties (Palmatum Kashima or Kihoime) are 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 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 strong midday sun, almost throughout the summer season.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water comes out through the drainage holes, to moisten the soil evenly, always from above, never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.
Tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet.
Let the surface layer of the soil 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 a lot of new leaf growth 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 it 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 others in 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, 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 better autumn coloration.
Tips about pruning, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Repotting: With Terra Bonsai Folhosas in February/March, before budding starts.
Details about repotting, post-repotting care, and specific fortifiers you can use, see the repotting technical sheet.
Wiring: Usually at the end of winter before budding, or in summer with total defoliation.
Instructions about wiring, see the wiring technical sheet.
