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JAPANESE MAPLE BONSAI The Japanese Maple Bonsai is a broad-leafed deciduous tree. It has a five lobed leaf and has a dense growth habit. Older Japanese trees develop a very interesting silvery bark. Autumn colouring is usually a deep rich red. The Trident Maples are also broadleaf deciduous trees. This variety has a three lobed leaf and also dense growth habit. The older trees have flaking bark, which reveals reddish under bark. Root structure is powerful and a real art form. These varieties are very versatile and therefore the Trident and Japanese Maple Bonsai are very suitable for most styles.
Japanese Maple Bonsai and also Trident are recognized as early spring being the best time for repotting. An open mix soil is recommended to allow good drainage and this can be achieved by using a potting mix with equal parts of top quality Potting Mix and Washed Sand. Add to this 20% of the volume, Vegetable Compost, and 40% of the volume of small River Pebbles or similar. As a final additive include as manufacturers instructions the recommended dosage of 6 to 12 month "Osmocote". I have tried this method myself and have found that over a long period this is a very suitable potting mix for the Japanese Maple Bonsai. During the summer and hot spells Japanese Maple Bonsai need to be watered at least once a day. Evening misting has been a very successful additive to the watering program and very beneficial to the leaf response of this tree. We have found with this tree the use of a good Nitrogenous fertilizer has shown remarkable results. “Dynamic Lifter” is easy to recommend for this purpose. The fertilizer can be placed at the base of the tree, but not directly over the root system, it must then be watered in. These fertilizer pellets will act similar to a soluble aspirin and deliver this excellent fertilizer to your soil, feeding your Japanese Maple Bonsai with a rich nutrient fertilizer. Pruning the Japanese Maple Bonsai or Trident Maple are almost as strong as Chinese Elms and they grow strong vertical shoots, allow the extension of shoots then pinch back to suit the shaping of the tree. Choose carefully the vertical shoots that are to remain after pruning, as these will provide the frame work for the tree’s canopy. This Method will help to bulk up the Japanese Maple Bonsai Canopy Pad. Pest and Diseases in Japanese Maple Bonsai and Trident such as Aphids, the use of Pyrethrum will discourage these little beasties. Scale, this can be destroyed by hand or by using a spray of Tar – Oil during winter. Downey Mildew is a common complaint for these plants if the weather has been a prolonged wet season, apply to your a Bordeaux mixture to your Japanese Maple Bonsai or use a systematic fungicide.
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