Due to a lot of interest in Bonsai gardening, I have prepared a 3 part article on the subject. Yesterday, we covered the basics and looked at the Juniper as an option. Today we continue, where we left off and look at the Japanese Maple as another option.

#2:  Japanese Maple

Noted by the name Acer Palmatum, the Japanese Maples are a deciduous variety of trees, that appear small and in shrub form. It is noted, particularly for it’s five pointed leaves, as well as for it’s delicate and compact sized foliage, that develops into rich gold and to deepest blood red colors. This plant is native to China, Japan and Korea.

The Japanese maple is by far, one of the most grown species of bonsai, in gardens.  However, just like the rest of the bonsai trees available, this variety needs the ultimate care possible. In the first place, it should be placed in a semi-shaded area, during summer, while it requires direct exposure to sunlight, for the rest of the seasons. It must, however, be protected from harsh and drying winds.

How to Take Care of Japanese Maple?

Once shoots start to develop, pinch them out, especially the unwanted parts. You can prune them, by cutting the shoots, to a range of about three, to five nodes, leaving at least one centimeter, to allow it to die back. Other than this, you should start trimming the leaves of your maple, during the late spring.

In terms of repotting and fertilizing, make sure to do this, early in spring, or late in winter. Just make sure that your maple bonsai stays hydrated, to prevent it from dying.  Never practice over watering. That too, can kill your bonsai. So, the best thing you can do now, is to know exactly, the water requirements of your plant. If you’ve purchased the maple from a nursery, or garden, try to ask the person in charge there, about such requirements. He, or she can tell more about it.

#3:  Pines

Another popular variety of coniferous trees, is the pines, or pinus, which grow naturally in mountainous and hilly regions. They have been considered, for many years, as one of the most popular species of classic bonsai, and are favored specifically, for tray planting, because they are easy to care for and to grow. Even inexperienced hobbyists can even train it, to grow healthy and vigorous.

Nevertheless, pines are the species, that grow according to certain patterns. The patterns involved here, are dissimilar to that of the deciduous and the most common coniferous varieties. With this, it is very important, for every beginner, to learn the basics involved, in the growth pattern of pine trees. Understanding these patterns, will allow you to take care of your bonsai, the best way possible.

Speaking of care, pines should be kept outdoors, especially during the summer, spring, and autumn, for they need enough sunlight, for them to grow vigorous and healthy. Note that insufficient sunlight, will allow the pines to grow, with an extended needle and dieback of branches may also result from this.

When it comes to watering, which is but another important factor to note, in tray planting, the pines should be treated, with only little amount of water. This is due to the fact, that pines, regardless of variety, naturally dislike a permanently wet soil. For this matter, it is often suggested, that you use a fast drying medium of soil, for the pines to grow best.  Try to give your tree a minimal amount of water, especially during the spring. This will reduce the growth of it’s needles, keeping your tree small.

The pines will also grow best, when repotted. Note, however, that when doing this process, the roots of your bonsai are already developed. If you think it’s too early for the pines to be transferred to another pot, because of the immature formation of it’s roots, then wait for the full growth. When it comes, only use a free draining mix of soil, and make sure to leave just a bit of the old compost. Do not wash the roots, but only remove the soil, that compacted on them.

We will leave off with the pines and tomorrow we will continue, with the Chinese Elm.

An excellent read is the ebook Bonsai Indoor Plant Guidebook. Apart from orchids, another very popular form of indoor gardening is Bonsai. To learn more about growing Bonsais indoors, see the book titled Bonsai Indoor Plant Guide.This is a comprehensive guide to growing Bonsai Plants Indoors. It is full of useful tips. Find out more here. http://dersalsites.com/bonsip/

Sally Robson is an up and coming, South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. She and her husband Derek, have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. She also has a passion for gardening.

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