Japanese Maple Bonsai – The Beautiful One
The Japanese Maple Bonsai, or Acer Palmatum (Acer Japonicum is another type) is a small tree native to Japan, China and Korea. It is a deciduous tree and reaches heights ranging from 6-10 meters, sometimes 16 meters. It grows in the form of a dome. All depending on the cultivar.
A Japanese Maple in the wild…
As a Bonsai
Trained as a bonsai the Japanese maple might look something like these babies…
Types of Japanese maple bonsai…
The Leaves
Its leaves are shaped like a hand with five, seven or nine ‘fingers’. In Japanese the maple bonsai tree is also called Momigi, which means ‘Baby’s hands’.
There are a lot, over a thousand, of different cultivars for this tree, which means something like different types or varieties. The differences are then in size, color and leaf shape. The leaves change color during seasons from green to red and orange.
Different leave types of the japanese maple…
It is a slow growing tree and is widely seen as the most beautiful tree to use as a bonsai. Because of its slow growing pattern the japanese maple is also suitable for beginners.
The Fruit
The tree can grow fruit and it will look something like the picture below.
Japanese maple fruit…
The Bark
On young tree the bark is usually green which turns greyish of brown with the years.
Where to put it?
The Japanese Maple bonsai can sustain different types of climates, but as an indoor tree it’s best to give it morning and afternoon sun, the mid-day sun might burn the leaves. If placed in the shade make sure that it gets enough lighting.