The Japanese maple bonsai is one of the favourite species of bonsai tree. A popular choice when it comes to broadleaf bonsai. They come in so many form, shape and colors. The weeping japanese maple or the laceleaf japanese maple are very beautifull. One could hardly determine is collection as complete. The maple bonsai are very popular. These trees are known by its scientific name as Acer Palmatum. This botanical name comes from the shape of the leaves which have five and up to nine leaves lobes. Some are very distinctive while some look like regular maple tree leaves. It is native of the asian continent especially China and Japan but can also be found in Korea. The Acer palmatum is composed of three main families, and they are:
- Acer palmatum palmatum
- Acer Palmatum matsumurae
- Acer Palmatum Amoenum
Each of these are used in bonsai. The most common bonsai tree are made of the first subfamily being the palmatum branch.
Two main colors are the green and the red Japanese maple tree. The green Japanese maple is just refered to as acer palmatum The red japanese maple is refered to as acer palmatum atropurpureum. Also, the bloodgood Japanese maple as come to be the main term describing red Japanese maple tree by commercial growers. From these two colors many different cultivars have been classified. It could come close to a thousand or more cultivars. Some do have noticeable differences while others are barely distinguishable.
Popular Acer palmatum cultivars often grown in nurseries
Some popular cultivars found on the market and propagated commonly are:
- Acer Palmatum Dissectum
- Acer Palmatum Waterfall
- Acer Palmatum Atrolineare
- Acer Palmatum Deshojo
- Acer Palmatum Osakazuki
- Acer Palmatum Sango Kaku
- Acer Palmatum Viridis
- Acer Palmatum Red Pigmy
- Acer Palmatum Seiryu
- Acer palmatum inaba shidare
- Acer Palmatum Butterfly
- Acer Palmatum Red Dragon
- Acer Palmatum Suminagashi
- Acer Palmatum Garnet
- Acer Palmatum Crimson
- Acer Palmatum Fireglow
- Acer Palmatum Katsura
Cultivars diversed and unique genetics sets with seeds
A cultivar has been given a specific name because of it’s special and usefull characteristics. It is distinctive of similar plants. It will keep its special characteristics when propagated in a asexual method such as cuttings and air or root layerings. This exclude seeds propagation for most cultivars. Because tree seeds are produced from two sets of genetics. Resulting in a different genetic with different characteristics each time. Much like humans do when they reproduce. But, some cultivars will reproduce by seeds, such as the acer palmatum bloodgood which comes very true each time if reproduced by seeds. From this statement exist some exceptions, and some species do not reproduce at all from seeds.
However, tree seeds are the way of creating new cultivars. As each time it generates a new genetics sets, the tree resulting will be unique. Generally, tree seeds will produce the same, but it can produce a few times something very different. Special characteristics could be small leaves, different color of leaves, rapid pace grower, dwarf tree etc… Large seeds are known to produce more variant in the resulting seedlings. Also, large seeds do tend to produce a more robust seed coat rendering it more difficult to germinate then the small seeds one. A part from these difference the seedlings do produce the same green foliage when produce a green specimen. Roots of the generic green specimen are more robust and cold hardy then other Japanese maple tree.
Japanese Maples tree and Bonsai Care Tips
Watering a Japanese maple bonsai at the beginning of the day is good. Water will dry during the day, resulting in a dry soil for the afternoon and night. This will prevent root rot. Great water drainage of the soil in your bonsai tree pot is important and essential. Coarse material as growing medium will help drainage and root creation.
For other tips, such as light requirements, watering and feeding and propagation, you should refer to the
bonsai maple care guide.
Acer palmatum trees are not so cold hardy
Japanese maple trees are not very cold hardy compare to toher species of trees. They tolerate cold but not deep freeze. They are usually cold hardy to USDA zone 5 but USDA zone 6 is ideal. In zone 5, you will need protections from cold winds. It is best if the tree is located on the southern side of the house or building and near a wall to prevent excessice cold winds. Being on the south side of the property will generate enough heat by the constant sun during the day to help agaisnt deep freezing. The root base of the trunk can be protected with mulch. On small trees, it is best to protect the trunk against field mice eating the bark and flesh while digging their way in the accumulated snow of winter.
Buy Green Japanese maple seeds here:
Green Japanese maple seeds
Bulk Green Japanese maple seeds
Buy red Japanese maple seeds here:
Red Japanese maple seeds
Bulk red Japanese maple seeds
Different Webpages on topics of Acer Palmatum trees
You can browse and read for informations on
Japanese maple tree and cultivars at Wikipedia.
You can browse and read for informations on
NC state University plant fact sheet.
