Maple forest "acer buergérianum" 3-23

For good health, the Burger maple needs a constantly moist soil. Water your tree regularly, but let the root ball dry out slightly between waterings to avoid overwatering. Both underwatering and overwatering can be bad for your bonsai's health.

Take the time to manage this well.

Important: Don't hesitate to water the entire root ball until the water drains through the holes in the bottom of the pot. Alternatively, you can submerge the tree (bassinage) in water for a few minutes to ensure the roots are thoroughly soaked.

We do not recommend placing a saucer or tray under the pot, as stagnant water can cause the roots to rot. (Too much water = root asphyxiation).

In spring and summer, water regularly. During heat waves, this means every day! In contrast, in winter, water based on how damp the soil is. Thanks to rain and cold temperatures, you won't need to water as often since the soil will stay moist.

Maples are undergrowth species that like cool soil. Therefore, avoid planting them in a substrate that drains too quickly or in pots that are too thin. Repot in the spring, every two years, as soon as the buds begin to swell.

In our nursery, we use potting soil with a composition of: black peat, blond peat, aged wood, topsoil, horse manure, and pozzolan.

You can also adapt your substrate by mixing it with a more draining substrate like akadama or pumice.

During the winter, after the leaves have fallen, you can do a structural prune to remove any unnecessary branches. During the growing season, shorten the new shoots to one pair of leaves using a good pair of scissors.

In our nursery, we use a blue fertilizer for tomatoes and flowers, with an NPK ratio of 12-12-17. It's a perfect fertilizer to supplement nutrients. From May to October, apply a handful of fertilizer (small or large, depending on the pot size) to the substrate every 2 months for good tree growth.

Be careful not to fertilize too early, as it will promote long shoots with large internodes. Ideally, wait until the first growth spurt is over, prune, and then begin to fertilize.