This particular maple seedling is another fast grower. One of it’s main features is it tends to be bulbous at the base. The bark is a distinctive gray/white and the leaves similarly to other maples are five pointed. A couple of good aspects about this Maple Bonsai particularly for the less experienced is they have [...]]]>

This particular maple seedling is another fast grower. One of it’s main features is it tends to be bulbous at the base. The bark is a distinctive gray/white and the leaves similarly to other maples are five pointed. A couple of good aspects about this Maple Bonsai particularly for the less experienced is they have a high resistance to disease and can handle a period of drought. This tree can therefor be displayed on it’s own or is ideal for the root over rock style.

This is a style wherein the roots are encouraged to grow over and grasp onto a rock. This mimics what happens in nature when a bird deposits a seed into a natural crevice. The roots will crawl out in an effort to find soil, to get more nutrients after using what could be taken from the soil in the small opening in the rock. When they hit soil they then circumvent the rock. When this occurs the roots thicken out and stand in for the trunk at the very base of the tree.

The display of rocks is an art form of it’s own in Japan called Suiseki, this is one reason rock choice follows a few rules in this method. For starters these are, the rock chosen should have eye appeal, a natural look, and the size shouldn’t over shadow the tree, which after all is the main attraction.

Again the choice of tree for this style needs to be made correctly. A tree that is healthy and has a big root system is a good choice. The roots need to be strong and long enough to hang over the rock. The measurement guide for the roots is one and a half times longer than the rock is high. If the roots of the bonsai you want to use are too short, the problem is solved by planting it in a tall narrow pot so the root system will grow down and get longer. Let the roots grow until they reach the desired length, which may take a year or more, as with all bonsai patience is the key.

When the roots are ready remove damaged foliage and rinse the dirt off of the root ball. Don’t hurt the roots, before washing taking off dirt by hand helps. Now put the tree on the rock and play with the placement to find the best looking arrangement of tree and rock. Put the roots around all of the rock because the arrangement is for viewing from any side. This is not usual in bonsai where the tree normally is expected to be viewed from the front only.

Now the roots have to be secured. Grafting tape is a good thing to use and having someone hold the roots in place while securing them works best. You need to have pulled the tape around the rock fairly tight except at the bottom where it should be tape-less because this is where the roots will go into the dirt.

Next check to see that all of the roots are free on the bottom of the rock. Put the rock and maple bonsai in a container with plenty of clean sharp sand. Make sure the bottom of the tree trunk shows, while the rock is out of sight. Give it a good watering; the tree should stay in this pot for either one year or possibly two. Remember I did say the key to bonsai was patience. It will take one growing season for the roots to exhibit a good showing and during this period they will thicken up. However this does depend on them having been placed correctly. Two years gives the roots really more than sufficient time to thicken. When you check to see if the roots have grow properly and find they haven’t, no worries, simply re-pot them giving the plant one more year to get the roots right.

So as you can see from the description above not the fastest way to get a bonsai to display at home. However at the end you should be the proud owner of a Maple Bonsai that appears to have naturally grown over a rock, making a quite beautiful and unusual display.

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One way to make this decision is by choosing one that suits the size needed. For instance, if a tree that will ideally be two to four foot is needed then pick a large leaf maple for the bonsai. If a smaller one is desired then mame is a good choice, though shohin is too. [...]]]>

One way to make this decision is by choosing one that suits the size needed. For instance, if a tree that will ideally be two to four foot is needed then pick a large leaf maple for the bonsai. If a smaller one is desired then mame is a good choice, though shohin is too. Seedlings are often used for maple bonsai and red seedlings will produce a bonsai with wonderful purple or red foliage. They make good medium to larger size finished trees. Green ones reduce better and therefore make nicer small bonsai trees.

A hardier maple that can be successfully cultivated in the city is the Trident Maple, which is a deciduous. It can withstand more pollution in the environment. It still has its weakness, which is frost because its roots hold a large quantity of moisture. Protect it with straw during the winter months or put it in a hothouse. It is also popular because it has the uncanny ability to form into a bonsai better than other maples. This maple has every characteristic that produces a fantastic bonsai. Some of these are as follows:

• They like being cultivated in a container a lot.

• They naturally favor growing upwards and are easily shaped into the style chosen.

• They adapt to root pruning and they produce big trunks, which happens in a relatively short period.

• They fuse root buttresses rapidly and the development of branches can be quick.

For those that would like to cultivate a bonsai that works well in some shade the Japanese maple is the a good choice as it doesn’t realize all of its potential if exposed to extreme sunlight. Basically, keep it in partial shade in the summer months and full sunlight for the rest of its season. It does like fertile and damp soil. Although all of the maples do better without to much direct sun.

Many people think of the Japanese Maple as the best tree for a bonsai. One reason is because its fall leaves are lovely shades of red, orange, and gold. They like its dainty fern like leaves. Prune it during springtime and keep it out of the wind and cold. This tree is also known as the Japanese Mountain Maple.

Two of the Japanese Maples that have rough bark are the Nishiki Issaiand an the Nishiki Gawa.. The Sanku ’s bark is quite uncommon. These represent a few hybrids of the Japanese maple that number about three-hundred in total

Whichever type of tree is chosen to cultivate a bonsai, the amount of space available and the free time are important considerations when picking the tree. Also, to develop a bonsai certain tools and pots are needed for one kind of tree and different ones for another tree., though some tools are general bonsai tools. Maples are good trees for those just starting to make bonsai trees as they are easy to care for and are sturdy. Pick the bonsai maple that is best suited to your needs and you can grow a beautiful tree.

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He seems to have got the hang of it now, with a collection of 120 bonsai, I should hope so. Talk about having your hands full, I have, [...]]]> I love my Maple Bonsai but here’s one young man who started as a lot of us do with the ritual sacrifice of our first bonsai, but then…

He seems to have got the hang of it now, with a collection of 120 bonsai, I should hope so. Talk about having your hands full, I have, shaping and loving my one maple bonsai.

On top of this he’s now going to Japan to study the noble art with a master in Osaka, we all know how it feels to turn a hobby into a passion but this takes the biscuit. No of course I’m not jealous but with a wife, a couple of kids and one demanding maple bonsai this tends to slow you down bit.

It seems we have a future master of the art, as even the most experienced might baulk at reducing a 5 foot tree.

Take a look at the full article.

For bonsai aficionados, pro…

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