For connoisseurs of bonsai maple, sakura and mountain pine are true symbols of this ancient art. But if evergreen pine needles make the tree’s appearance unchanged throughout the year, sakura is especially attractive in the spring, during flowering, then maple is a bright palette of autumn with unusual openwork foliage.
Maples are distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. Bonsai culture is traditionally dominated by Far Eastern, Chinese and Japanese varieties, but the growing popularity of this area of plant growing has made it possible to include varieties from Europe, the Caucasus and the North American continent in the list of species.
Particularly valued are plants with small foliage and short internodes, which allow you to create miniatures that are unique in shape and harmonious, natural in appearance.
Among the species suitable for growing bonsai are Japanese and Norway maples, Montpelian, field and rock maples. Palm maple trees with intricately cut leaf blades are in particular demand. The leaves of this species remain red, contrastingly edged, light yellow or purple not only in autumn, but throughout the year. This species should not be confused with the red maple, also grown as a bonsai. Its five-fingered leaves gradually change their appearance and the appearance of the crown as a whole in autumn. From the USA and Canada, the ash-leaf maple, which is easy to shape, unpretentious and also has varieties with variegated or silver foliage, has come into the sphere of interest of bonsai connoisseurs.
It is not surprising that small trees with red, yellow or any other bright foliage are most attractive to gardeners. Therefore, unscrupulous sellers often “play” on this by offering blue maple seeds for bonsai. There is no need to believe empty promises. If shoots appear from such seeds, at best they will turn out to be an ordinary maple with green leaves. And although it is impossible to grow a blue maple, bonsai with purple, carmine, red or orange leaves– reality.
There are many examples of varieties used for red maple bonsai, however, due to the low chlorophyll content that supports the nutrition of the tree, such plants are weaker than their green counterparts and require special attention.
Decorative forms more often suffer from sunburn, frost and cold wind, and their brightness directly depends on the choice of location. In the shade, red, burgundy and crimson shades may disappear.
Another highlight of the Japanese maple bonsai is plants with strongly dissected leaves reminiscent of palm branches. These types look great in cascading, flowing compositions, but are not suitable for beginners due to their rather capricious nature and soreness.
And here dwarf varieties maple trees in bonsai are unpretentious and seem to help a person with their formation. They do not tend to grow upward, but form a dense crown covered with small foliage that preserves its natural appearance.
Maples feel good in middle lane Russia, but in bonsai form this tree suffers more from external influences and needs to carefully choose a place of residence.
The most common maples in bonsai, palmate and fan maples, can become sick and experience growth difficulties:
However, if we're talking about about the choice between light and shadow, it is better to expose the pot to the sun, which in the central part of the country will not cause serious harm. In the sun the tree forms more small leaves, which allows you to avoid removing buds and not weaken the plant. In addition, the colors of foliage in full sun are brighter and more attractive.
If in summer time, as in the photo, a maple bonsai is taken out into the open air, it needs to be protected from the wind, otherwise the plant with its root system cut off risks losing its balance and falling out of the shallow pot.
Maples, both in nature and at home at low temperatures, do not tolerate excessive air humidity and insufficient air flow fresh air. Under such conditions, bonsai is affected by harmful fungi that cause powdery mildew and anthracnose.
Watering is a mandatory and very important part of caring for a maple bonsai. In summer, the intensity and frequency are increased, and if necessary, careful sprinkling is used. In winter, when the leaves fall and the plant goes into hibernation, the need for moisture drops sharply.
In the spring, when the maple awakens, it is fed, and the presence of iron in the mixture is important for the maple. This is also taken into account when preparing the substrate. The soil for maple bonsai should be nutritious, aerated, with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. In addition to traditional components, a clay substrate for bonsai is added to the soil, which provides anchorage for the root system and structures the earth mixture.
Replanting and replacing the container when growing maple bonsai coincides with pruning the roots, which is carried out every 2-3 years. In parallel with the formation, dead or damaged rhizomes and lumps of adhering soil are removed.
All types of this plant are easily propagated by cuttings and rooted layering. Seeds, which should be stratified before sowing, are also suitable for growing maple bonsai.
To do this, the seed is dropped into damp sphagnum, sand or sand, after which the container with the seeds is sent to the refrigerator. To prepare palm maple seeds, for example, 3–4 months in the vegetable compartment is sufficient. When warmed, the shell will certainly open, and friendly shoots will appear.
Hatched maple seeds for bonsai are transferred to a sand-peat mixture or planted in well-moistened peat tablets. In a greenhouse in the light, but not in the direct rays of the sun, the plant produces a pair of true leaves within a month.
When their number reaches 4-5, it is time to transfer the young maples into their own pots and begin forming a bonsai.
How to grow a maple bonsai without pruning and pinching the crown? This is impossible. These techniques, along with the formation of stems using wire, are integral part ancient art.
Branches are pruned when up to five pairs of full-fledged leaves open on the shoot. Usually they are shortened by 2–4 leaves, and large leaf blades are plucked out separately, leaving their cuttings.
Over time, the cutting will wither and fall off, but too large leaves will be replaced by small ones, more appropriate for bonsai. In mid-summer, healthy trees with green foliage are defoliated or plucked out the growth buds, which will lead to:
This operation is not performed on red maples for bonsai because it can weaken the already sensitive plant.
It is better to carry out all procedures related to pruning not in the spring, when sap flow is active, but in the summer or autumn. The same applies artificial aging maples grown for bonsai. In the second half or at the end of the growing season, the wounds heal better and the tree recovers better.
Japanese maple is a perennial ornamental tree grown in the Land of the Rising Sun. Large lobed leaves in summer have green color, and in the fall their color changes to an unusual red. You rarely see it in our latitudes. But, having seen this tree, you will not resist the temptation to have it in your garden or at your summer cottage.
Maple attracts attention with its unique appearance. In order for it to please you for a long time, you need to carefully study the recommendations for growing and caring for the tree.
At this time, there are about a hundred species of Japanese maple. The huge variety of this plant will allow you to choose the type you like, ideal for your landscape design. The height of the tree ranges from two to ten meters. The leaves come in different colors: purple, green, pink, yellow, and more unusual colors can be found. For example, Chinese maple, also known as Bonsai, has blue, white, and light blue leaves.
The tree has a large, broad crown, a bit like a palm tree. It's amazing beautiful tree. With its bright foliage, it lifts the mood and inspires creativity.
Unfortunately, in northern regions, growing Japanese maple outdoors will not be easy, but if you plant a tree in a large container, which is winter time can be brought into the house or utility room, you will have the opportunity to grow a gorgeous plant.
When purchasing a seedling, you should remember that planting and caring for it will require careful preparation. This process determines whether the tree will have the desired leaf color.
Planting and care must strictly comply with the growing instructions. Otherwise, you are unlikely to be able to grow a healthy and beautiful plant.
The ideal place for Japanese maple is partial shade, as the leaves can get burned under the bright rays of the sun. The soil for planting must be drained.
The Japanese plant loves slightly acidic soil filled with humus. To make it strong, the ground around it needs to be fertilized once a month in spring and summer; no fertilizing is done in winter.
In the case when the seedling is planted in fertile land- one feeding will be enough for a whole year. If the soil is poor, then the tree needs to be fertilized a second time in the summer and only until August; after this, fertilizers cannot be applied to the soil, since the plant needs to prepare for winter.
Japanese tree loves water very much. A young seedling must not only be watered, but also provided with a large volume of water. In summer it is watered once every seven days, in cold seasons - once a month. When you finish watering, tear out all weeds and loosen the ground around the tree so that the soil is not too compacted. If watering is poor, the tree grows very slowly.
The method of planting a maple seedling is simple, you just need to remember some rules. For correct landing Japanese wood needs to be prepared in advance:
The size of the pit should be twice the size of the roots of the seedling. Before planting the tree, carefully untangle the roots. Dip the peat and compost into the dug hole, then carefully immerse the seedling and cover it with earth on top, lightly compacting it.
Make sides around the seedling, this will retain moisture. Fill it well with water so that the root system takes root faster. In hot weather, water maple more often and abundantly. It is very important that the maple roots receive moisture in full, otherwise the leaves will have an unattractive brown color due to its lack. The tree does not like lime: if the roots come into contact with it, the maple will drop its leaves.
Spread a mulching layer of soil on top mixed with rotted leaves. This excellent protection from weeds, and moisture will be well retained in the root circle.
Care and planting are individual for each type of plant. Many of them prefer the sun, but at the same time do not like direct sultry rays. This does not apply to those trees that have double colored leaves - they prefer shade. Please keep in mind:
In the case when the tree crown becomes very dense and its appearance no longer so attractive, it needs pruning. This is done as soon as the tree sheds its leaves. This will return transparency to the crown and save the plant from fungal infection.
Japanese maple reproduces by seeds, which are collected in October. They are stratified in preparation for planting. Then they are laid out in sandy, dry soil and stored in a cool room.
In early spring planting material treated with a growth stimulator and sown in special containers. Over the summer, the seedlings grow well, after which they are sorted, leaving tall and strong shoots. Seedlings grown from seeds should remain indoors in their containers for their first winter. Then they are transplanted into pots, each separately. When the plants grow, they are planted in open ground.
Japanese maples are exceptionally spectacular ornamental trees and shrubs. Even in winter, deciduous Japanese maples captivate the eye. unusual shape a bare crown resembling a mushroom or an umbrella, and many thin fan-shaped branches. However, the peak beauty of Japanese maples occurs in autumn, when their leaves turn stunning bright colors: red, orange, gold...
Genus maples ( Acer) consists of approximately 110 species of deciduous (less commonly evergreen) trees and shrubs that naturally grow in the rainforests of Europe, northern and Central America and Asia. Here we will talk only about a certain category of maples, which are usually called Japanese maples , because they originate from Japan and Korea. To the group Japanese maples there are only two types: Japanese maple ( Acer japonicum) And palm maple, or mountain ( Acer palmatum) with him especially decorative variety fan maple ( Dissectum). U fan maples dissected feathery leaves resembling a lace fan. Its victorious march in the European garden culture Japanese maples began in the distant 1600s, and by 1882, 202 varieties of these trees were already known in Britain. Currently garden centers offer several hundred varieties Japanese maples, which primarily differ in the color of their leaves, which is especially impressive in the fall, when maples dramatically change color to red, gold or orange.
Size Japanese maples depends on the variety: both Japanese and palmate can reach 8 m in height, while fan maples usually do not exceed 2-3 m. Fan maples often grow more in width than in height. Leaves Japanese maples small and exclusively decorative. Despite the established Japanese maples Name red maples , the color of their leaves varies different shades green, burgundy, red, yellow, orange and even crimson and appears better in open, well-lit spaces. Flowers Japanese maples small, yellow-green or reddish, depending on the plant variety (see photo). After the end of flowering Japanese maples small paired winged fruits are formed. Some Japanese maples also decorative with their bark.
IN natural environment Japanese maples grow as undergrowth, so they are accustomed to a high humus content and a slightly acidic soil reaction, partial shade, as well as a more or less constant level of humidity. Most garden soils are quite suitable for Japanese maples, with the only exceptions being highly alkaline soils, as well as places with poor permeability and standing water, or completely drying out in the heat. Danger Lurking Japanese maples in the garden, it's late spring frosts, which can damage tender young leaves. Because the leaf color of Japanese red maples shows best in full light, choose a location to plant these magnificent trees that is protected from direct hot sun during the summer afternoon, but open to morning and evening sun. sun rays. Even more vulnerable to the scorching sun are varieties of Japanese maples with bicolor or edged leaves; they need to be planted in.
Frost resistance of Japanese maples is from , in the middle zone these plants need winter shelter, which is well suited for the crown of fan maples. Make sure the soil is well moistened before installing the winter shelter over Japanese maple. In milder regions, heavy wet snow should be carefully brushed off the thin branches of Japanese maples (especially fan maples), as the weight of the snow may cause the branches to break. You should not touch a Japanese maple tree when its branches are covered with ice.
During dry periods, fan maples require regular watering and spraying of the leaves. To a lack of moisture (as well as to its excess), too hot sun or too strong, dry wind, the Japanese maple will respond with dried tips of leaves, and to more severe stress - by completely dropping the leaves. There is no need to panic: the Japanese maple has not died, but simply needs increased attention. Completely eliminate fertilizers when under stress, provide regular watering without stagnant water and spraying, and soon the Japanese maple will recover and grow new leaves.
A necessary part of caring for Japanese maples is in the spring and fall. Mulching with other organic matter (wood bark, wood chips, etc.) protects the surface root system Japanese maple from freezing in winter, drying out in summer, and also provides fertilizing. Mulching Japanese maple in early spring And late autumn, on well-moistened soil, avoiding contact of organic matter with the tree trunk. Before spring mulching, sprinkle the soil within the radius of the Japanese maple crown with granules of slow-release fertilizer, then mulch with compost or humus, and on top of this you can put a layer wood chips or decorative bark. Japanese maple should be fertilized only once a year with a slow-release fertilizer; it is not recommended to use strong fertilizers!
Species Japanese maples are propagated by fresh seeds, collected in mid-autumn. Subsequently, only the strongest seedlings are selected and kept cool in winter. At the beginning of spring, young Japanese maple seedlings They are transplanted into larger pots, and once they reach a height of 30 cm, they can be planted in a permanent place.
It is very difficult to propagate fan maples vegetatively. Nurseries practice grafting cuttings of fan maple onto the stronger root system of Japanese or palm maple.
Japanese maples grow slowly and naturally form a beautiful and harmonious crown. Pruning is recommended only for mature or old plants to thin out an overly thickened crown or to emphasize the exquisite shape of the trunk and weeping branches of the Japanese maple. Thinning the crown of Japanese maples also promotes the penetration of light and air into the depths and prevents fungal infections. Pruning of Japanese maples is done only during the dormant period, when there are no leaves on the plant.
In the middle zone, it is convenient to use for growing Japanese and fan maples. In Japan, fan maples in tubs are placed not on the ground, but at eye level, so that everyone can admire the shape of the trunk, the grace of the crown and the brightness of the leaves of these charming plants. For the winter, the fan maple in a tub can be put in a cool room; during drought, it can be moved to the shade and where it is more convenient to water it.
Japanese maples go well with vertical plants (), and also look near the water or next to stones in rockeries. Japanese maples form beautiful bonsai.
Kingdom: PlantsMaple Japanese - deciduous tree 7-10 m tall, with an openwork crown, dark red annual shoots and almost round 7-11-lobed leaves. Blooms in June.
Japanese maple - very rare view, in Russia is known only from two localities in the south of Kunashir Island, South Kuril region, Sakhalin region. Found scattered along the stream. Border and in the district of the river. Dark, tending towards the Sea of Okhotsk, warmer and sunny side islands (1, 2). The main part of the range is in Japan (Hokkaido and Honshu islands), where the species occurs both in natural conditions, and is widely cultivated (3).
Japanese maple grows in mixed forests on mountain slopes, often as single small trees.
The approximate population size is about a dozen individuals. State of local populations. The population is extremely small. Seed regeneration was not observed on Kunashir Island, however, in October 1999, one fruiting plant was discovered.
A small number of individuals in a population. Lack of seed regeneration (4). Security measures taken. Was included in (1988). The species is listed in the Red Book of the Sakhalin Region. (2005). Protected in the Kurilsky Nature Reserve.
Search for new locations of the species and counting the size of the island population. Monitoring the state of the species population. Cultivation possibilities. Cultivated in botanical gardens Russia: Moscow (GBS RAS, MGUDSHA), Samara, St. Petersburg (GLTA), Selivanovo (b). Due to its decorative properties (large purple flowers and beautiful foliage) deserves wider introduction into green building (4), including in the south of the Russian Far East.
Information sources. Red Book Russian Federation. 1. Alekseeva, 1983; 2. Data from N.A. Eremenko; 3. Nedoluzhko, 1987; 4. Kharkevich, 1988; 5. Barkalov, Eremenko, 2003; b. Plants of the Red Book..., 2005. Compiled by: V.Yu. Barkalov, N.A. Eremenko. Red Book of the Russian Federation (and mushrooms)
Japanese red maple- This is a very beautiful, decorative, spectacular tree.
All this summer and autumn beautiful plants They delight the eye with their extraordinary beauty, and in winter you can enjoy the unusual structure of their crown.
It has many thin branches.
Japanese red maples include: palmate, fan-shaped And Japanese maple, and many more varieties that were bred by breeders based on the above.
From the name of the tree you can understand that the birthplace of the Japanese maple is the Land of the Rising Sun. They differ from each other by carved leaves, which have purple or bright orange colors and shades, and another difference is the crown.
The size of the trees depends on their type; they are three meters wide and up to eight meters high. Palm maples can be taller, while fan maples are a low-growing species. The flowers of red maple are small, their color is red or yellow-green, the color depends on the variety. After flowering, the flowers turn into lionfish seeds, these seeds are scattered over many kilometers and later new trees grow from them. These trees are very beautiful and will decorate any garden or park.
In addition to the above varieties, there are many hybrid forms that were bred in Japan. Here are some of them:
Trees that grow in wildlife, prefer humus-rich soil that is slightly acidic. They also like places where there is partial shade and stable humidity.
A tree of this type will not grow in soil where there is a lot of alkali, and also does not like places where water stagnates and is not permeable to water. But the scorching rays of the sun and drying out of the soil have a very bad effect on the appearance of the leaves. The species that suffer most from the scorching sun are those that have two-colored or edged leaves. These varieties should grow in partial shade.
The Japanese species develops very well in abundant, diffused light.
Trees will feel best in gardens and parks, where the bright sun appears in the morning and evening, and where it will not appear during the day. This tree is not at all afraid of drafts.
It is important not to forget that Japanese maples are heat-loving trees, they are very afraid spring frosts, frosts damage their young leaves. For this reason, trees must be covered with garden fleece for the winter.
In areas where the climate is mild, maple branches need to be cleared of snow, as they can break under its weight. Fan maple suffers the most from snow.
During periods of drought, maples need to be watered often and a lot; the leaves need to be sprayed in the morning and evening. If this is not done, then the tree under the scorching sun and from lack of moisture will experience very great stress, this will be shown by its leaves and tips, which will dry out and then fall off.
If this happens, the tree must be watered frequently, sprayed regularly and stop feeding. This will help him recover and regain his previous appearance.
In spring and autumn, it is necessary to mulch the soil around the trunk; leaf humus, tree bark, garden compost and various wood chips are suitable for this. Mulching is very important for Japanese maple. It will protect the soil from drying out, and the root system from freezing will also serve as fertilizer all year round.
Before mulching with compost or humus, it is necessary to add approval granules to the ground, and then sprinkle the top of the soil with colored wood chips. Spring feeding, which act slowly and will nourish the maple all year long. But feeding the tree with nitrogenous fertilizers is strictly prohibited.
If the soil in which maple grows is poor in minerals, then fertilizer must be applied twice a year; these should be minerals that last a long time. In this case, you need to feed the tree in spring and summer.
Pruning is only necessary for mature and old, very dense trees that have lost their decorative properties. Such trees need pruning to make them look lighter and more transparent, especially since pruning also prevents fungal diseases. Pruning is carried out when the maple tree is in its dormant period - early spring or late autumn.
If behind the tree there is proper care, then it will delight you with its beauty for many years.
Mainly Japanese maple propagated by seeds. Seeds for propagation must be fresh, they must be collected immediately after ripening, most often this is done in October.
Seeds for propagation must be placed in a dry bag and placed in a cool place. In the spring, the seeds must be planted in containers, before which they must be treated with a product that stimulates growth.
Over the three summer months, the seedlings grow a little, but it is already possible to separate weak seedlings from strong ones. Weak seedlings must be removed, and strong ones must be placed in a cool place, but with a positive temperature. In the spring, strong seedlings need to be planted in pots, and when they reach thirty centimeters in height, they need to be transplanted into open ground, where they will grow continuously. If you decide to plant a maple in a tub, then do not forget that the soil in it should be rich in organic fertilizers.
You can also propagate Japanese maple by grafting cuttings onto a strong rootstock of the same species.
In areas where a cold climate predominates, maples need to be grown in tubs so that they can be moved to a cool, but not frosty place for the winter.
Growing a tree in a tub has another advantage - it can be moved to the shade, sun or any other place, and this also makes it possible to protect the maple from heavy rain or hail.
In Japan, these trees are placed on stands; this is done so that their beauty is better visible, since the trees are short.
Japanese maple goes very well with other ornamental plants, namely: shrubs, other trees, various flowers and ornamental grasses. Japanese maple will decorate any garden, pond, stone garden, a park or just a place to relax.
Japanese maples will go very beautifully with these autumn flowers- asters, oaks and chrysanthemums. It will be especially incredibly beautiful in the fall, since maple leaves change color at this time and become the most decorative.
Maples with short trees will also look good evergreen shrubs: decorative coniferous bushes, boxwood and juniper.
