Acer Palmatum - some help needed

marko

hi guys! Just bought this yesterday on a local gardening shop for 15 dol (expensive?!?!??) (I never thought they sell this kind of "trees". I felt in love! ). It says here in the label its a "Acer Palmatum Atropurpureum". The leaves are a little big since this is supposed to be growing as a tree not a bonsai...I think i will leave it to grow for more time...I want to make the trunk more thick. Its about half an inch the thickness of the trunk. Ive been reading some stuff and I suppose its better to leave it grow on a large pot like the one it is now. I want to know what special cares do I need to have with the purpose of makin a thicker trunk. Should I prune prune leaves?Ive red that the best time tgo prune is in Fall. Many thx for your time!

Advertisement

Adam

First off, the container its in is to small, as if you pick up the
whole tree and take it out, its probaly rootbound, i would take the tree out put it in a 5 gallon+ grow bucket or in a grow bed. Dont mess with the roots at all as the tree is actively growing. Wait 2-3 years and the trunck should thicken up to the size u want. Good Luck and happy bonsai-ing

__________________
[Adam]
"Cass Bonsai Gardens"
"Bonsai Knowledge"
"DaGhostCrew"

Adam

One more thing, 15 dollars to us americans is not that expensive.

__________________
[Adam]
"Cass Bonsai Gardens"
"Bonsai Knowledge"
"DaGhostCrew"

marko

hi adam. Thx for ur replies man! hey how much is 5 galoons??ehehe im not used to this type of measures here...and how much will the tree growu see i live in a flat and the only outside place I have its this small "balcony" of 2 meters x 1 meter for 3 meters high...can i cut the tree??is it going to bud again

Brian

I'm thinking 5 gallons = 19 liters

__________________
Brian
Zone 4
Michigan USA

Rene_Voortwist

Marco,

I don't think you should cut the tree now. As I understand an acer palmatum has a very strong sapflow and if you cut it now it might "blead to dead". If you want to cut it do it while the tree is dormant. I guess the best time is in spring before the buds open. Anyone more knowledgeable want to comment on this ?
BTW, I think $15 is not to much for an acer like that.

rgds, René

zeb

I think you should put the tree in a growing box (Article about them) or in the ground, but since you're living in a flat you probably can't put it in the ground. It should thicken the trunk.

I'm with René, you shouldn't cut the tree yet, but if you cut it in late November or early December, you shouldn't have a problem with sap flow. This is for Great Britain and I don't know the exact time for your area.

Do japanese maples bud back well? Don't know, but I'd guess they do. Someboby else knows this for sure. So, if you do, it's your chance now!


Zeb

__________________
Two men were walking down a road. The one on the left was interested in bonsai. The one on the right had no money either.