Palmed maple bonsai atropurpureum (9)

Presentation

Atropurpureum palmate maple bonsai (Acer palmatum), a purple-red leaf variety with a finely lobed blade. The plant is 43 cm tall, approximately 24 years old and has a 6 cm nebari. It is suitable for experienced hobbyists and collectors who know how to manage a deciduous broadleaf tree for outdoor use.

Technical specifications

• Botanical species: Acer palmatum Atropurpureum
• Plant height: 43 cm
• Nebari: 6 cm
• Age: approximately 24 years
• Weight: 5.4 kg
• Pot: rectangular in natural stoneware, 31 x 22 x h. 7 cm
• Exposure: outdoor, partial shade during the warm months
• Care difficulty: medium-high

How to care for it

Place the bonsai outdoors all year round, in a bright position but sheltered from direct sunlight during the central hours in summer: the thin leaves of the palmate maple burn easily with high temperatures and dry wind. In winter it tolerates the cold, but protect the pot from prolonged frosts.

Watering must keep the substrate constantly moist, without waterlogging. In summer it may be necessary to water even twice a day; in winter reduce according to how the soil dries out. Water that is too calcareous can alter the leaf color over time.

Fertilize from spring to early autumn with slow-release organic products or balanced fertilizers for bonsai, suspending during the summer peak and winter vegetative rest. Avoid excess nitrogen, which lengthens the internodes and enlarges the leaves.

Structural pruning is carried out in late winter, before budding; pinching the new shoots during the growing season keeps the branching compact and reduces leaf size. Repot every 2-3 years in early spring, with well-draining akadama-based substrate, shortening the thicker roots.

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

Frequently asked questions

Q: Do the leaves always stay red?
A: The Atropurpureum opens in spring with intense purple-red tones. During the summer, with the heat and in partial shade, the foliage can turn towards bronze or reddish-green, then return to color in autumn. It is a natural variation of the variety, not a defect of the plant.

Q: Can I keep it indoors?
A: No. The palmate maple is a deciduous outdoor species that needs the full seasonal cycle, including the winter cold for its vegetative rest. Indoors it deteriorates rapidly. Pot outdoors all year round, with protection from intense frost.

Q: Why do the tips of the leaves dry out?
A: Usually it is a symptom of exposure to direct summer sun, dry wind or water that is too calcareous. Move the plant to partial shade during the hottest hours and keep the substrate moist. Damaged leaves do not recover, but subsequent shoots will be healthy if conditions improve.

Q: How often should it be repotted?
A: Every 2-3 years, in early spring before the buds open. The thicker roots are shortened and part of the substrate is replaced with a well-draining akadama-based mixture. Proper repotting keeps the root system healthy and promotes fine branching.

What is included

• Atropurpureum palmate maple bonsai in a rectangular natural stoneware pot — the exact specimen in the photo
• Plant certificate (identity card of the specimen with species, measurements and characteristics)
• Reinforced packaging designed to protect the plant during shipping