Hello everyone, first post here!
So I just bought this Japanese maple and I’m interested in turning it into a bonsai. Unfortunately, since I got it from a grocery store (Lidl), I don’t know the exact variety, identification would be appreciated. (pictures 1 and 2)
I’m fairly new to the bonsai world and don’t have much knowledge about it, so I’m here to ask for a bit of help on how to proceed.
It is in generally good heatlh and shape for a grocery store plant, and the root-ball is looking good too (see picture 3)
The tree will be sitting on my east-facing balcony, with about 6–8 hours of sun each day. The balcony can sometimes catch strong wind, but I have a 1-meter tall privacy screen which reduces both wind and sun exposure. I’m located in the south of France, so the climate is hot and dry most of the year, meaning I’ll probably have to water it quite often.
The tree is currently 60 cm tall in a pot that is 18 cm wide and 15 cm tall.
Based on my research, I figured a Moyogi style would be the best fit for both the tree and my liking.
So I’m wondering what to do to get there. My plan was to let it benefit from summer and autumn growth before I repot it in February/March, and repeat that process for a couple of years so the trunk can get bigger, while slowly pruning it as it grows. I know that at some point I will have to significantly reduce its size, but I’m not really sure when to do so.
Keep in mind this is my first project, and my only experience with bonsai is a Fukien tea I got a few months ago that was already shaped (see last picture).
Any help would be appreciated, and if you have recommended ressources (YouTube, books, website, etc.) for beginners that I should check you're more than welcome!
PS: I’m not sure if this fits better as a standalone post or if I should have posted it in the beginner’s thread, so sorry if this is not the right place.
by 0pium___
5 Comments
Looks great
Peter Chan from Heron Bonsai has Great Videos on YouTube
You can slip pot it now too, hopefully it gets you a tonne more growth.
You could try to wire the trunk a bit now to get movement. It’s hard to tell from the photos but it might already be too thick and stiff for that. But if it’s still pliable that could be a good move, go for a classic S shape.
Otherwise, as you said, wait for February or March to report and trim, when it’s dormant but just getting ready to come back to life. And keep it outside!
From all the reading I’ve done on maples so far my recs are this.
1. Definitely get it into a bigger pot (probably slip pot as someone suggested) or put it in the ground for a few years to maximize growth.
I have several 1-2 year old Maples in my front yard and I’m just gonna leave them their for at least another year or two. Someone suggested planting them on a tile to stop tap root growth and that might be a good option for you.
2. Maples tend to be stiff and aren’t usually great for wiring in tons of movement. It’s more of a grow and chop process to get movement.
Caveat, I am a total beginner so understand that’s where my advice is coming from.
Heron Bonsai on YouTube is a great resource for maples.