Japanese red maple "acer deshojo" 3-11

The maple needs a substrate that is always moist. Water it regularly while allowing the root ball to dry slightly between two waterings to avoid excess water. In spring/summer, watering will be done regularly, when it is hot, it is every day! On the other hand, in winter, water according to monitoring of the soil. Thanks to the rain and the cold you will not necessarily need to water regularly since the substrate will remain moist. 

Important: Do not hesitate to water the entire rootball down to the roots, the water will drain through the holes below the pot or bathe the bonsai in water (basinage) for a few minutes, to be sure water it. We do not recommend placing a cup/container under the pot because the water will stagnate and can cause root rot. (Too much water = asphyxiation).

This maple needs fresh soil with a good portion of organic matter. Repotting will be done in spring (early March) when the first leaves come out, approximately every 2/3 years. Therefore, avoid repotting in winter or autumn. Use a substrate that can both drain your soil to eliminate excess water and retain it in the event of drought. In the nursery, we use potting soil which is composed of black peat, blond peat, eco aged, topsoil, horse manure, pozzolan.

Regular pruning in winter will allow the bonsai to improve its structure. Eliminate crossing branches that point up or down. Keep two starts at each intersection. During the growing season, prune the shoots as soon as they have developed 5 to 7 pairs of leaves

In the nursery, we use blue tomato/flower fertilizer NPK 12 12 17. You can use it and put a handful (small or large depending on the size of the pot) on the substrate from May until 'to October, every 2 months alternating chemical/organic.