Japanese maple "acer palmatum" 7-3 (unknown cultivar)

The maple needs consistently moist soil. Water it regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings to avoid overwatering. In spring/summer, water regularly; when it's hot, water every day! In winter, however, water according to the soil's condition. Thanks to the rain and cold weather, you won't necessarily need to water regularly since the soil will remain moist.

Important: Don't hesitate to water the entire root ball, right down to the roots. The water will drain through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Alternatively, soak the bonsai in water (basining) for a few minutes to ensure it's thoroughly watered. We advise against placing a saucer or container under the pot, as the water will stagnate and can cause root rot. (Too much water = asphyxiation).

Maples prefer cool soil with a good amount of organic matter. In our nursery, we use a potting mix composed of black peat, blonde peat, aged peat, topsoil, horse manure, and pozzolana. During your next repotting, which is done approximately every 2-3 years in early spring, you can mix in a more free-draining substrate such as akadama, pumice, or kiryu. However, be careful not to disturb the root ball; do not destroy the entire root ball!

Many bonsai react significantly when repotted at the wrong time or too drastically.

Shoots and branches can be pruned year-round. Pruning of strong branches should be done in autumn to avoid excessive sap loss, or in summer.

In the nursery, we use a blue tomato/flower fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 12-12-17. You can use this fertilizer and apply a handful (small or large depending on the pot size) to the substrate from May to October, every two months, alternating between chemical and organic fertilizers.