Taking Care of Your Bonsai Tree...... The Maple Year!
February to March..... Early Spring.....This is the optimum time to repot although you can re-pot the majority of Maples almost any time of year. Kashima and Kiyohime will have started to move at this time. Make sure they are protected. / Feed o.10.10. (Zero Nitrogen) every 7 days to stop lush growth but only after the buds have opened..
March to May and throughout the Spring..... You can start plucking out the bud centers in June or early summer.....After the first two feeds start feeding High Nitrogen food to build stamina on young trees. If you want a good Autumn color, cut down on your High Nitrogen food. If your bonsai tree is healthy then you might consider full or partial defoliation. This can be followed with selective wiring. Remember that the bonsai tree will have to be looked after in the same fashion that you did from February to May, or in the Spring. The problem with Summer defoliation is Sun Burn rather than winds.
July or Mid Summer........ Wire trees with Cage (not tight) or protected wire and do any major pruning at this time during summer dormancy. Reduce feeding until mid August or late mid summer.
August to Late Summer........ Start administering a weekly feed with low Nitrogen food. This is also the last time for defoliation before fall.
September - Early Autumn / Fall......... Trim all leaves that grow out of the planned shape. Stop feeding if leaves start to change color. It should be noted that good fall color is achieved with little or no food....but the question is whether or not you want to risk the bonsai tree's health for a short term benefit.
October Autumn / Fall............ Complete your bonsai tree feeding with low or Zero Nitrogen Food
November Late Autumn / Early Winter........... Remove any dead leaves and make sure that the bonsai trees are protected against winter frosts and wind.
December to January Winter............................................ This is the other time when you can perform major surgery on your Bonsai.
article by Craig Coussins
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Bonsai Tree Articles by Craig Coussins...
The Maple Year
Ramification of Bonsai
White Pine
Larch
Cryptomeria Japonica
Scots Pine - Pinus
Water
Fountain Bonsai
Bonsai FAQ's
What is Bonsai?
Outdoor Bonsai Tree
Watering Bonsai
Feeding Bonsai
Pruning the Bonsai
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