How To Grow A Japanese Maple Bonsai

Japanese maple bonsai is a good bonsai to propagate because it can be grown easily. It is a popular miniature tree because it requires little amount of care but it grows magnificently. Another thing is that it is good for beginners in little tree propagation because it can grow by itself. You just have to impart a little of your time, attention, and care. However, you will not regret in growing it because your little effort will turn into a good investment as this will grow up healthily and appear pretty good.

You can propagate a Japanese maple bonsai from seeds, grafts, or you can buy a grown up Japanese maple, with a height of four to six inches, from garden centers and convert it into a little tree.

What is Japanese maple?

It is a native tree from the countries Japan, China, and Korea. It is a deciduous small tree or shrub. It has different shapes and colors. The two main colors are green and red. Japanese maple has broad leaves, and each of its leaves have five to nine pointed lobes. It produces flowers that emerge in small cymes. The flowers have five sepals with a color of red or purple and five white petals.

How to grow Japanese maple as a bonsai?

Growing it as a miniature tree is simple and worry-free. The following are easy steps you can follow in growing a Japanese maple bonsai:

• Choose an appropriate soil mixture for your miniature tree. The soil should be able to retain enough moisture to prevent drying up. You can check the soil by dipping a chopstick in it. If the chopstick is wet, it means that you have poured too much water in your little tree. Allow it to dry to prevent root rot. The soil must also promote proper drainage.

• It is recommended to fertilize it regularly. You can ask from a bonsai expert of what type of fertilizer should be used to your miniature tree and how it should be applied. You can make a homemade fertilizer or you can purchase fertilizers from garden centers.

• Water your little tree sufficiently. Do not over water because this can lead to root rot, and you must not under water because it can cause bonsai dehydration. Both of them can possibly lead to the death of your Japanese maple bonsai if you are not able to prevent it from further affecting your miniature tree.

• You must allow your miniature tree to be exposed on adequate sunlight. Sunlight will help your miniature tree to produce its own food which is necessary for them to grow and flourish well. Some species of Japanese maple can tolerate direct sunlight while some require exposure in a shady area. But you must protect your bonsai from excessive sun exposure because it will burn its leaves.

• Prune your Japanese maple bonsai when its roots have developed already. Pruning is done to remove unnecessary branches and promote thicker and pleasant foliage.