Palmate Maple Bonsai (62)

Presentation

Palmate Maple Bonsai (Acer palmatum), a Japanese deciduous broadleaf prized for its red-bronze toned foliage at bud break and its autumn coloring. This specimen, 33 cm tall, features a trunk with a prominent base and well-distributed branching. Suitable for hobbyists with experience in maple care.

Technical specifications

• Botanical species: Acer palmatum (Palmate maple)
• Plant height: 33 cm
• Nebari: 3 cm
• Pot: oval, 25.5 x 20.5 x h. 8.5 cm
• Pot material: green glazed stoneware
• Weight: 3 kg
• Exposure: outdoor, bright partial shade
• Care difficulty: medium-high

How to care for it

The Palmate maple should be placed outdoors all year round, in a bright position but sheltered from direct sun during the central hours of summer, which easily scorches the thin leaves. A ventilated partial shade is the ideal placement. In winter it tolerates cold, but with intense frosts it is advisable to protect the pot and the roots.

Watering must keep the substrate constantly moist, without waterlogging. In summer it may be necessary to water even twice a day; in winter it is reduced considerably. Excessively calcareous water can over time cause chlorosis: if possible use rainwater or soft water.

Fertilize from spring to early autumn with a balanced organic fertilizer, suspending during the hottest months and during winter rest. Avoid overly nitrogen-rich fertilizations, which lengthen the internodes and enlarge the leaves.

Structural pruning is carried out at the end of winter, before growth resumes; pinching the new shoots during the growing season helps maintain dense branching and reduce leaf size. Repotting should be done every 2-3 years in early spring, with a draining akadama-based substrate.

To learn more about caring for this species, consult the complete botanical sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I keep this maple indoors?

A: No, the Acer palmatum is an outdoor species that needs the complete seasonal cycle, including winter rest with low temperatures. Indoors it would suffer from poor light and dry air, weakening rapidly. It should be kept on the balcony, on the terrace or in the garden, in bright and well-ventilated partial shade throughout the year.

Q: Why are the leaves reddish and not green?

A: The shoots and young leaves of many palmate maples take on red-bronze tones at spring bud break, then turn green with maturation and color again in autumn. The color visible in the photo corresponds to the seasonal phase at the moment the picture was taken and will naturally change over the course of the year.

Q: How often should it be repotted?

A: Roughly every 2-3 years, in early spring before the buds open. During repotting the roots are thinned out and part of the substrate is replaced with draining soil such as akadama, possibly mixed with pumice. Correct repotting keeps the roots healthy and promotes the absorption of water and nutrients.

Q: How do I protect the plant from frost?

A: The palmate maple resists cold, but the roots in a pot are more exposed than those in the ground. With intense frosts it is advisable to move the bonsai to a sheltered area, place the pot on insulating material or mulch the surface of the substrate. Avoid instead heated environments, which interrupt the necessary winter rest.

What is included

• Palmate Maple Bonsai in green glazed stoneware oval pot — exact specimen from the photo
• Plant certificate (identity card of the specimen with species, measurements and characteristics)
• Reinforced packaging designed to protect the plant during shipping