Acer Palmatum Atropurpureum Bonsai of 7 Years

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 at budding, which turns greenish in summer and returns to red tones when the leaf falls.

Also the varieties "Yatsubusa" (Palmatum Kashima or Kihoime) are highly valued for their small leaf size and short internodes, which make very compact plants, usually produced in the Hokidashi style (round crown), as they do not have apical dominance, and thus their energy remains 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 throughout almost 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, never by immersion, using a watering can with fine nozzles.

Tips about watering, consult 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 careful as 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 avoid 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 ensure the leaves dry by night to prevent 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 the plants are healthy, they can be defoliated to produce a new leaf budding, which besides being smaller, will have better autumn coloration.

Tips about pruning, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Repotting: With Bonsai Leafy Soil in February/March, before the start of budding.

Details about repotting, post-repotting care, and specific fortifiers you can use are available in the repotting technical sheet.

Wiring: Usually at the end of winter before budding, or in summer with full defoliation.

Guidelines about wiring, consult the wiring technical sheet.