japanese maples - summary info

I thought I'd start a thread on japanese maples, mostly because I like them so much. _I've read bits and pieces on them, and found the information a bit scattered - so I'd like to summarize all my misreadings and have you guys share your thoughts and experiences.

1. _Watering
There is one book I have by Murata(?), [u:680deafc9f]The Four Seasons of Bonsai[/u:680deafc9f], which mentions that japanese maples like to be kept dry, just a little less dry than pines. _Do you agree? _I assumed they prefered it a little more moist than that.

2. _Pinching
Pinching is done throughout the growing season. _For better ramification, pinch before the shoots, and the leaves on those shoots, fully open/develop. _(But doesn't this stunt the new growth?)

3. _Pruning
The best time for drastic pruning/shaping is just before the buds break in early spring. _Maintenance pruning can be done throughout the year.

4. _Repotting/Transplanting
The best time for repotting and drastic root pruning is also just before the buds break in early spring. _[u:680deafc9f]Bonsai Techniques I[/u:680deafc9f] charts you can also repot in Sept and Oct too (in Southern California).

5. _Sunlight
The sun in Southern California really burns the leaves. _I am thinking of trying to hang one of those semi-tranparent plastic sunscreens, instead of trying to position them to get only morning and afternoon sun. _Does anyone keep their maples under these plastic screens year round?

6. _Fertilizer
The preferred fertilizer is ____________? _I have no idea. _Fish emulsion? _10-15-10? _Feed weekly or bi-weekly during growing season.

7. _Books
Are there any good books specifically on this species? _I have read some magazine articles, but that's about it. _

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Watering - I water my maples more frequently than my pines. Japan tends to get monsoons in the summer that dump a lot of water and the driest seasons are my wettest, so there may be some cultural differences there.

On Pruning, if you prune heavily in spring, it may be a good idea to lightly prune the roots as well, even if the tree doesn't need it. This reduces the pressure in the sap as maples tend to bleed (weep sap) a lot.

Pinching - yes pinching is absolutely intended to stunt the growth of the branch and induce ramification and backbudding, that are all characteristics of dwarfish trees. Don't practice it unless you are trying to develop ramification, not thicken a branch. With your fingertips closed. Push them between the developing shoot and spread apart lightly, then further in. Now cut out the growing tip before it fully appears. You will get smaller leaves and shorter internodes.

Sunburn - the California summer sun can be too much for maples. Combined with fall winds it can crisp and burn them. Move them into partial shade during this period. Providing a wind break will also be helpful. Above all you need to be sure that they have adequate moisture during these hot spells.

Fertilizer - My preferred fertilizer is....organic rapeseed/cottonseed/bonemeal or Miracid, for me.

Books - Peter Adams' Japanese Maples is a very good book. For general species information, J. Vertrees' Book is the reference book. I think Dave DeGroot's handbook on bonsai design is very good for this topic, although not specific to maples.


Regards,

Matt

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