The Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is among the most popular and widely used maple trees in gardens all over the world, and is a perfect specimen for bonsai. Bonsai aficionados enjoy this tree for it's delicate leaves, it's natural small size, but mainly for it's beautiful fall colors. The five lobes of the Japanese Maple tree's leaves make it look somewhat like the human hand, and is the source of it's botanical name. The Acer palmatum includes the red, green, lace-leaf, and thread-leaf varieties. The red variety is considered by most to have the most brilliant display of leaf color.

How to Water the Japanese Maple

You will need to water your Japanese maple bonsai regularly beginning in the spring when you see the first signs of new growth, and continue all the way through late fall. Japanese maples like moist soil, so you will need to be vigilant in checking the moisture level in the soil to maintain the optimum level of moisture. Your Japanese Maple will quickly die if the soil is allowed to completely dry out. Try to water it in the morning, and then check it later in the day to make sure it is still somewhat moist. You don't want to over-water your Japanese Maple bonsai either. Your bonsai pot should have enough drainage holes to allow all excess water to drain out. If the water does not drain thoroughly the trees roots will sit in water and develop root rot.

The Right Amount of Sunlight is Important

With optimal levels of sunlight your Japanese Maple will produce denser foliage and display more intense fall colors. The leaves of Japanese Maples are notoriously delicate and sensitive, and can burn if exposed to the intense rays of the mid-day sun. You should provide the tree protection against this exposure. The ideal location for your Japanese maple bonsai is in a place where it will be able to receive direct early morning and evening sun, but that is protected from being in direct sunlight during the middle of the day when the sun's rays are the most intense, and is the hottest part of the day. The delicate foliage can "burn" if exposed to overly intense direct summer sun. Spring and autumn, on the other hand, are good times for direct sun exposure because the sunlight is relatively mild during those seasons. "Wind burn" can result from unprotected exposure to hot, dry summer winds that will strip you plant's leaves of important moisture, so take care to protect your tree from these winds too. Make sure that you keep your Japanese Maple out of direct sun and wind during the 2 weeks following any root pruning and re-potting. The roots are unable to furnish enough moisture to the leaves during this time.

Japanese maples, while being hardy, should be placed in an area that is protected from cold and harsh winter winds also. Keep your Japanese Maple sheltered from winter winds too, because these winds can also be quite dry, and if your bonsai is left exposed to these winds it could result in serious damage to the tree.

The More Humidity the Better

Plants thrive in humid environments, and the Japanese maple is no exception. You can increase the humidity levels for your bonsai by filling a shallow container with small stones, and then covering the stones with water, and then placing your bonsai pot on top of the stones. The humidity level is increased as the water evaporates from the shallow container. Additional humidity slows down the water loss from the trees leaves, a process called transpiration. Another way to increase the humidity level and reduce the transpiration of water from the leaves is to give your bonsai a frequent spraying with a fine mist.

Feeding

Your Japanese Maple will respond well to a high nitrogen, slow release fertilizer. You should begin feeding your plant in the spring after you see the first signs of new growth. Feeding should continue every 2-3 weeks thereafter all thorough summer up until about mid-fall. Natural fertilizers such as fish emulsion is a good choice. If you're using a chemical fertilizer make sure that you only use a half strength solution. A balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer is recommended. Back off on feeding for three to four weeks during the hottest part of the summer. Change to a low nitrogen fertilizer beginning in mid-autumn which will help the plant in hardening up it's summer growth.