Bonsai Acer palmatum “Atropurpureum”: care
Photo – Flickr / jacinta lluch valero
He bonsai Palm maple ‘Atropurpureum’‘ is one of the most popular: it has palmate leaves that turn deep red in spring, and especially in autumn. In summer, contrary to what you might think, they are red-green or even green.
However, while it is relatively straightforward to care for in temperate and soggy climates, things become more complicated in subtropical climates and/or when the humidity is also very low. Let’s see what care you need.
What does bonsai care for? Palm maple ‘Atropurpureum’‘? Since there are several things we need to do to get it right, we will talk about each of them separately:
Location. where to put my bonsai Palm maple ‘Atropurpureum’‘?
First, let me tell you where you DON’T have to have it: indoors. Keeping him at home is a death sentencebecause although it is miniature, it has the same needs as a regular Japanese maple. In fact, the only difference between bonsai Maple palmate and the Japanese maple garden plant is where the first plant is pruned to keep it in the bonsai tray while the second is left to grow to about its own height.
This is why, from day one we have to put our bonsai outside. Where exactly? Sun, shade? Well, I recommend putting one on in the shadeand more if you live in the Mediterranean region, because the sun in summer is very mighty, so much so that it burns the leaves very easily.
If you are in a temperate area with temperatures that usually do not exceed 30°C in the summer and remain bland the rest of the year, you can grow them in partial shade; that is, somewhere that will receive direct sunlight for a compact period of time in the early morning or at sunset and then be shaded for the rest of the day.
What style to give?
When we buy a bonsai (or a bonsai design, because we remember that not everything that is sold as a bonsai is), it usually already has a predetermined style. This is usually, for example, a chokkan (a more or less straight trunk with a triangular crown), a broom (a slightly inclined trunk, with most of the branches growing on one side) or a forest (several specimens growing together). Then we just have to cut off the branches that are growing too much scissors.
Related article:
Bonsai Styles
However, if we bought a Japanese maple with purple leaves, we will have to be more patient. It takes years to get a bonsai “done right.”so it may take a few decades before we can say it’s ours Maple palmate this is proper bonsai. Here are the steps you need to follow: :
- As soon as we buy it, we will plant it in a pot about 10 cm wider and higher than the one it currently has, with the addition of coconut fiber mixed with 30% perlite. We leave it there until the roots come out through the drainage holes of the container.
- In the meantime, if possible and necessary, we trim the branches a little so that they develop a branched crown. These cuts will be made in slow winter with household scissors. It is vital to cut only a little; i.e. if, for example, the branch is 50 cm long, we will reduce it by a maximum of 10 cm or 15 cm. Of course, you need to cut above the bud, which is a miniature lump protruding slightly from the branch.
- When the trunk is 1 or more 2 inches bulky, it will be a good time to plant it in a bonsai training pot (or, if you want, in a round and low pot commonly used for planting succulents and flowers). It should have holes at the base and have a maximum diameter of 15 or 20 cm. As a substrate, you can operate the same one you have used so far: coconut fiber mixed with a bit of perlite or akadama (available here) mixed with 30% kiryuzuna (available here).
- Now you can start styling it, taking into account the shape and development of the trunk and branches. Believe me, it’s better not to force it.
- After about 3-4 years you can plant it in a bonsai tray.
When to water bonsai Palm maple ‘Atropurpureum’‘?
When it comes to watering our bonsai, we must take into account that it is a tree that does not tolerate drought and also grows in a tray with an amount of soil that could otherwise be confined. . This soil dries out relatively quickly, the so-called we have to be a little careful so that the maple does not become dehydrated.
This is why, In summer, I recommend watering several times a weekespecially during a heatwave and more broadly throughout the rest of the year. Similarly, it is very vital to operate rainwater, but if this is not possible, bottled water suitable for human consumption would be a good alternative.
Do you have to pay it?
It’s vital to do this, yes. But you must operate a special bonsai fertilizer like this one and follow the instructions for operate so that problems do not arise. We will pay it from the moment it begins to sprout in spring until the end of summerIn this way, we will ensure that it grows well, mighty and vigorous at the same time.
We hope these tips were useful to you.