In the good tradition of maple trees, this Montpelier Maple (Acer Monspessulanum or Acer Mospessulanum) is very appropriate to use
for a Bonsai tree. You can often find it in rocky areas of the mountains. It grows bushy and rarely grows over 9m height. They do not grow very old but, with proper care, they can age a lot more as a Bonsai. Cutting the leaves should not be overdone. The soil should not be too moist or contain too much humus. The pots should not be too flat, a thing that is the same for all maple trees, actually.
Soil:
You can mix Bonsai soil that you find to buy with 50-80% granulated burnt clay (1-2inches/3-5cm). For younger plants, you should use soil with more humus. Things are different with older plants: you should use more burnt clay and sand with bigger granules. Japanese clay should only be used mixed with peat and with a drainage layer of gravel.
Nutrition/Sustenance:
You can use any organic fertilizer for the Montpelier Maple Bonsai tree. The nutrition should be achieved starting from April and until August in small rations, 1 teaspoonful of fertilizer with every 3inches/10cm of the soil surface. If you have fertilizer balls, use one ball every 3inches/10cm. Optimal nutrition is achieved when the tree receives fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Winter:
You don’t need any special protection except against rodents. During harder winters, mice will happily eat the bark of your little trees.
Wiring:
It is enough to tie the tree from March to August. You can even start it in the winter (February), even a double wiring. Still, you should check it starting with June in order to avoid embedding of the wire in the bark of the Bonsai.
Cutting the branches:
Best period is from January to February, in the rest period of the plant.
Shaping:
Cutting should start from June until the end of August, if necessary.
Cutting the leaves:
Once every 2-3 years. Leaves should be cut to the tail, leaving the tails intact.
Placement:
In sunny places during summer. If you put the plant in the shadow, it will develop asymmetrically, with too bigger leaves and tails.
Transferring:
Younger plants should be transferred once in 2-3 years and the older one once in 4 years.
We hope all this information will help you grow great Montpelier Maple Bonsai trees. We will expect a lot pictures with your Bonsai trees.
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