Obviously shin desojo is kind of the standard and for good reason. I was wondering since I have fireglow, moonrise, and emporer 1, I could air layer those and work from there. I like the red all year around and spring they are usually a bright red before turning maroon for summer and then back to a fire red for fall. Ive read about chisio and came across another cultivar called red flash that get a super bright almost pink in the spring and fire red for fall. I was curious if anyone else has tried these cultivars and what your experience is. I know its possible with these obviously, but I dont believe ive seen or read about anyone using them?
Best red Japanese maple besides desojo?
- Thread starter jdutton24
- Start date
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Shin deshojo isn't a red leaf cultivar...
Check out 'shaina' which, though technically a dwarf, still grows 8' tall. Tight foliage clusters and short internodes.
Check out 'shaina' which, though technically a dwarf, still grows 8' tall. Tight foliage clusters and short internodes.
Piedmont Bonsai
Shohin
For bonsai purposes I would recommend sticking to a handful of cultivars of japanese maples. For the red leaf varieties the best will be Deshojo Beni Chidori and Seigen. Chishio or Chishio improved would be next behind those 3.
You can work with the other cultivars you mentioned above but just know that the leaf shape is larger and you will always be fighting against that when building ramification.
You can work with the other cultivars you mentioned above but just know that the leaf shape is larger and you will always be fighting against that when building ramification.
True. I know it technically isn't red leaf. Shaina is a good one thank you. I might also look at Rhode Island red skeeters broom as well
Very good point. Where can you source Beni chidori in the US?
Yamamomiji
Sapling
Canada Bonsai is a reliable and quality source ... but highly limited. I guess you have to order now for 2026.
Acer palmatum 'Beni Chidori' (2026)
'Beni Chidori' Japanese Maple (1 unit) Very limited supply - 1 per personShipping Feb/Mar 2026 Cutting-grown (no grafts!)See 3rd image -- These are cuttings taken in May 2024, which have rooted, gone through winter, and in 2025 they will be putting on their first strong push of growth. Shape...
www.canadabonsai.com
Piedmont Bonsai
Shohin
I have a few of them from canada bonsai that i will be propagating
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I have all three of those cultivars, and personally lean towards shaina... but if you know what you're doing you can work with any. I have six shainas in landscape in addition to a pre-bonsai, and their growth pattern reminds me of mikawa yatsubusa with the stacked foliage pads. FWIW, skeeter's broom grows very very slowly.
Also, we have been talking about red palmate cultivars. There are a number of red lace leaf cultivars which are quite striking - but really only suitable for larger bonsai. Crimson queen, tamukeyama, black dragon. Of these, I like the tamukeyama. Though people get stuck on the lace leaf, if you are displaying your maples in the winter, what does it matter?
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I bought shin DeSojo. Mr Maple released some this morning and I decided to roll with that. I'll probably air layer it ASAP as a lot of their grafts are not the greatest but trees are usually healthy. That's why I went ahead since I figured it would be possibly next year before air layering already so decided to try that I may mess around with what I have on hand and may still get a Beni chidori but man they are expensive and rightfully so
Piedmont Bonsai
Shohin
In my experience with Mr. Maple trees, it will be a small liner that was just up potted into a 1 gallon. You will probably have to let it grow for a few years before you can get any decent air layers.
As for Beni Chidori, give it a few years and they will be readily available and obtainable!
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I bought a few trees from Mr Maple last year. I repotted them into 8 inch bulb pans this spring and am just letting them grow.
Want try some cuttings probably next year then at some point air layer them above the grafts
Want try some cuttings probably next year then at some point air layer them above the grafts
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I got a Rhode Island red and they are pretty red. It was suggested to me from someone to whom I asked "is there a red variety that stays red and is good for bonsai?"
Ohmy222
Shohin
Shaina is probably the best one if you are looking one that stays red most of the year. Pixie or Ruby Stars would work too. Ruby Stars is also the same as Beni Hoshi. They are red and somewhat dwarf. Most red maples aren't good for bonsai because the internodes and petioles tend to be longer. Could still work for a larger tree. Scarlett Wonder and Shojo Nomura are good ones too.
I was also going to mention Pixie. Mine is a cutting from Evergreen Garden Works, it’s been quite strong with reasonable internode length so far.
I generally lean toward the green cultivars with great spring color, but it’s been nice to have the maroon and red foliage for a bit of a break from the sea of green all summer.
I generally lean toward the green cultivars with great spring color, but it’s been nice to have the maroon and red foliage for a bit of a break from the sea of green all summer.
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
I had 2 Shaina in 3 gallon pots, nice beefy plants. They were healed in a mulch bed for 2 years and doing well. The late freeze we had this year killed both of them while still in the mulch bed.
Hack Yeah!
Omono
I've been working with this Englishtown A.P. for a couple of years. I grow it in a fairly shaded area but it stays mostly maroon, bright red spring and fall foliage.
Some larger leaves on heavily pruned limbs but I think it will be acceptable once I get it pushed back and ramified, internodes can get very tight. All photos from today.
Some larger leaves on heavily pruned limbs but I think it will be acceptable once I get it pushed back and ramified, internodes can get very tight. All photos from today.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Because it isn't a red leaf cultivar...
Wow, I am green. I just assumed red leaf meant redder in fall.
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