Page 201 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

Plant care directory 201

disease free if normal precautions are taken. fertilize heavily from spring until fall Acer monspessulanum Montpellier
They are susceptible to a range of nonfatal to promote rapid growth. Do not fertilize maple Similar to the field maple, this is
fungal problems on leaves that can occur after mature, developed trees until new growth commonly found across Mediterranean
extended periods of wet weather. Keep trees has opened and hardened off. Europe. It has three-lobed leaves similar to
clean and free of fallen leaves, and apply Transplanting/Soil Usually every two to three the trident maple, and it will flower and fruit.
fungicide at the first sign of discoloration or years with younger trees, and every three Its shrubby growth habit means more compact
powdery mildew on leaves. Verticillium wilt to four years with more mature specimens. branching is possible.
is a problem for trees in the ground, but Small-particle soil mix is better for fine root
generally does not affect trees in pots. development and water retention. Acer palmatum Japanese maple,
Aphids on fresh tender shoots and scale Pruning/Styling Prune secondary branches mountain maple Ideally suited for bonsai
insects are fairly common problems. An back to shape immediately after fall leaf drop. cultivation, this is a very popular variety. It
application of systemic pesticide early Pinch out the tips of new growth in spring has delicate branching, a small leaf size and
in the season should be sufficient protection. to create compact branching. Defoliate—if bark that improves with age. The leaves are
Check new growth for aphids and spray with desired—once new leaves have hardened off. palmately lobed, and it usually has five
contact pesticide if present. Look on the Wire main branches at an early stage; use a pointed lobes. It is generally quite a strong
underside of branches for scale insects. clip and grow selective pruning technique tree but will weaken with age and long-term
Pruning/Styling To build up ramification, to build up secondary and tertiary branching. —70 years or more—cultivation in a bonsai pot.
pinch the leading tip off from the emerging The tree’s vigorous nature means wire can It is hardy (zones 5–8), but protect from deep
bud as soon as possible in spring. This will soon become embedded in the branch: act frost and freezing temperatures. It suits
create compact branching and short node promptly to prevent irreparable scarring. virtually any style and size. Hundreds of
length. Defoliating is then possible once the Propagation As for Acer above. cultivars exist; some are suitable for bonsai,
leaves have hardened off, but take care not others not. The colors of foliage may vary,
to weaken the tree too much. For thickness, Acer campestre Field maple, hedge depending on the level of direct sunlight.
allow a branch to extend before cutting back maple, common maple Often collected
to the first node in the future. You can wire and used in the UK and Europe. It is vigorous Acer palmatum ‘Arakawa’ Rough bark
young branches at any time: it is best done but suffers from large leaves and long, coarse maple This is grown for the corky, rough
in spring and then removed when defoliating; growth that tends to limit it to larger trees. It bark more than the foliage or the branching.
alternatively, wire in summer and remove it is difficult to compact and create a delicate It is usually very vigorous and branches
when the leaves drop. The wire can very shape, so it is more suited for heavy trunk tend to be coarse, straight, and youthful
quickly dig into rapidly thickening branches, styles. It is often seen with deadwood or compared to the bark, which develops with
causing ugly and irreparable scar tissue, so hollow trunk features. age. Due to its coarse habit, they tend to make
it is essential to remove it before this occurs. better large, upright trees.
Branch pruning is best done immediately Acer circinatum Vine maple Native to
after leaf drop in fall. northwestern North America, very interesting Acer palmatum ‘Beni-chidori’ The
Propagation Air layering or cuttings from specimens can be found in the understory of young foliage is a vibrant red-edged yellow-
a small-leaf-sized parent tree are best. They forests, making for unusual trees. pink before turning green, then turning to
may be grown from seed, but there is natural good fall colors. Treat it the same as A.
genetic variation. Cuttings taken from Acer davidii Snake bark maple This palmatum, but it is slightly more susceptible
cultivars that need to be grafted onto has large, heart-shaped leaves that have to wind damage early in the season.
stronger rootstock have a low success rate. fine fall color but do not reduce. The bark
is colorful and of great interest. It is rarely Acer palmatum ‘Chishio’ This has brilliant
Acer buergerianum Trident maple seen as bonsai because its growth habit is blood-red young shoots in spring that turn
This widely used variety may become highly not suited for ramification. green and then produce vivid fall colors. It is
ramified and can grow vigorously. Defoliation slow growing but has been supplanted by
is possible up to three times a year in a hot Acer ginnala Amur maple Most tolerant ‘Deshojo’ in the bonsai world.
climate. It has small, three-lobed leaves and to cold of any maple, this tree may be grown
gray-orange-brown bark that flakes with age. in zone 2, although in a pot winter protection Acer palmatum ‘Deshojo’ This is the
There are many variations in leaf and node may still be required. It has very deep fall queen of spring foliage with intense carmine-
size; look for ones with small leaves and colors. The leaves are similar to those of the red colors in spring. Although it is the hardiest
compact branching. It suits most styles and trident maple, although its growth habit tends and most vigorous of the red-leaf cultivars,
all sizes, and is a popular shohin specimen. toward slightly coarser branches. It will flower it is still occasionally temperamental and
Hardiness/Location Frost hardy, zones 4–9, and then fruit. slow for branches to thicken up. Once heavily
but the fleshy roots must be protected from ramified, it can lose vigor if restrained for
freezing. Young shoots are susceptible to Acer japonicum Full moon maple A too many years. As with all cultivars, the
sun- and windburn, so take care in spring and large-leaf variety best suited for larger trees cuttings may be unsuccessful in the long
after defoliating if your site is in full sun. and styles; leaves usually have 9 or 11 lobes, term; using young grafted stock is always
Watering Tridents are very thirsty trees when and it often flowers and fruits. Brilliant fall a better option. When taking air layers,
in full sun with lots of foliage. Do not allow to coloration and winter hardiness are common leave for longer to ensure a very healthy
dry out in spring or summer: potentially, they to the cultivars of A. japonicum. It is native to root system before separation.
need watering twice a day. Do not overwater Japan but not as widely used as A. palmatum
in winter in case the roots freeze. due to its coarser branches. Acer palmatum ‘Kashima’ Kashima
Fertilizing For trees early in development, maple This is a dwarf yatsubusa variety