Acer Palmatum Green SPP Pre Bonsai of 4 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 when budding, which becomes green in the 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 produce very compact plants, usually grown in the 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 hardy, but it is common in mid-summer for the leaves to show sunburn, so they should be protected from the strong midday sun, practically throughout the summer season.

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water drains out, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.

Tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet watering.

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 in spring when there is a lot of new leaf growth.

If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent root rot).

There is no advantage to spraying the leaves; only do so on days 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 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, please consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: The leaf tends to grow and the internodes lengthen in some species. Usually, we need to control growth at the beginning of budding with "Metsumi".

In summer, if healthy, they can be defoliated to produce a new leaf shoot, which besides being smaller, will have better autumn coloration.

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

Transplanting: Using Leafy Bonsai Soil in February/March, before budding starts.

Details about transplanting, post-transplant care and specific fortifiers you can use, see the transplant technical sheet.

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

Guidelines on wiring, see the wiring technical sheet.