A very popular genus for bonsai, Maples have thousands of varieties, many of which are popular for Bonsai. Japanese Maples are extremely popular, and more people are experimenting with maples native to their regions. Bonsai-suitable maples should not have excessively large leaves or long internodes.
Children:Maples have thin delicate leaves. Provide 50% shade cloth during peak mid-summer afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorching.
Protect the root system from sustained freezing temperatures. Move trees into an unheated garage, shed, or cold frame.
Repot right as the buds begin to swell but before leaves unfurl. Comb out old soil and trim back circling roots.
Cut back thick, unwanted structural branches. Deciduous trees heal best from major cuts during early spring before sap flow, or late fall during dormancy.
Cut away 100% of large leaves on healthy trees in mid-summer. This forces a second flush of smaller leaves and increases branch ramification.
Cut back thick, unwanted structural branches. Deciduous trees heal best from major cuts during early spring before sap flow, or late fall during dormancy.
Standard baseline rule: Water thoroughly when the topsoil looks slightly dry. Never let the rootball dry out completely.