ACER PALMATUM
 
INTRODUCTION
This Japanese ornamental plant with a long tradition is particularly appreciated for its continuous and spectacular transformations that follow the rhythm of the seasons: from the moment of the tender spring shoots to the exuberant splendor of the foliage during the summer, to the magnificent fiery red of its leaves in autumn. No less interesting is when, after the leaves have fallen, it shows its elegant silhouette and the very fine and unmistakable branching.
It is a hardy species, generally able to withstand both cold and heat. It has a long life as a bonsai grown essence, it is also easy to shape and responds well to cultivation techniques.
Acer palmatum is grown in many varieties, including kiyohime, deshojo, seigen, and is certainly a tree that cannot be missing from a collection.
 
EXHIBITION
As already mentioned, it is a plant that is quite resistant to both heat and cold. However, in order not to damage its splendid foliage, it is good to protect it from the most intense sun rays in summer, although it should not be deprived of full exposure to the sun in autumn, as this way the color of the foliage is intensified.
In winter, although it tolerates low temperatures well, it is better to protect the root system from frost.
 
WATERING
The common rule of watering that indicates watering whenever the soil is dry to the touch, is also ideal in the case of Maple, considering however that in warmer periods and in the presence of strong winds, it is necessary to intervene more frequently.
Often, in fact, in such cases, the soil risks becoming completely dry. It is also good to bear in mind that both lack and excess of water can generate serious imbalances for the plant.
More precisely, the lack of water causes the leaves to fall and the growth to be stunted; the excess, on the contrary, causes a darkening of the leaves in the apical part.
 
TRANSPLANT
The transplant must be done in spring, when the shoots swell, but before the leaves appear; annually on younger plants, every 2/3 years on more mature ones.
The ideal compost is 60% akadama + 30% ready soil + 10% pozzolana
 
PRUNING
The best time to carry out a selective pruning of maple branches is the period when the leaves fall in autumn (about 15/20 days), as it is possible to observe the entire structure more clearly, in addition there is no risk of loss of sap as the plant is at rest.
They can also be pruned at vegetative restart, but with less success. Especially thick branches should not be pruned during the growing season.
Even applying scar paste would not be able to stop lymph leakage.
As far as thinning pruning is concerned, it is good to keep in mind that Maple buds appear in pairs, one on each side of the branch. By selecting the buds and properly pruning the branches, the new shoot will respect the direction of the chosen bud. Following a good pattern, based on the direction of the main branch, the secondary and tertiary branches should not intersect, but form a dense and complete horizontal network.
Once the foliage is formed, which is obtained in about 5 years, every 4-5 years it is necessary to prune the tree vigorously to maintain its size and design.
 
CLIP
We operate on already formed specimens, in the spring, to avoid the extension of new shoots. Coverage should continue throughout the growing period. In specimens in formation, the defoliation technique is adopted, approximately every 2 years in May/June, eliminating all or part of the leaves, but keeping the petiole, to increase the finer branching.
 
WIRING
It should be borne in mind that, due to the delicate bark of Maple, modeling is obtained mainly through pruning, therefore the wrap should only be applied in cases of absolute necessity, during the period of less activity, to avoid affecting the elegant bark. The thread, due to the rapid growth of this species, should never be left on for more than two to three months.
 
FERTILIZATION
From February to September/October, with "Fertile Bonsai"  and "Bio Bonsai". Appreciates the combined use of complete fertilizers, alternating between "fertile bonsai" (early spring and post summer) and "Biogold"  in the height of summer and in Autumn .
 
CARE
The pathogens most frequently found in this species are aphids, mites and powdery mildew. Attacks usually occur between spring and early fall. In the case of aphids, apply a specific aphid every 10 days, carrying out at least 3 interventions. To avoid the formation of red spider mites, it is advisable to keep the plant in a well-ventilated environment: in case of attack, apply an acaricide.
This Japanese ornamental plant with a long tradition is particularly appreciated for its continuous and spectacular transformations that follow the rhythm of the seasons.