Japanese Maple Varieties

JoeR

JoeR

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Sandhills of North Carolina
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I am looking for a variety of japanese maple that is red in color most if not all of the year, can thrive in my zone, and is appropriate for beginners like me. I also would be interested in any other variety of japanese maple that you guys favor or if they are unique in ways such as leaf color, shape, or size. I was looking into deshojo maples but read in another forum they aren't very suitable for bonsai. If anybody near me has a good specimen it would be nice if you could post an image and give the variety name, and where you got it if possible. Thanks in advance.

Joe
 
I've occasionally heard people say negative things about deshojo, but...there are plenty of nice specimens around. Do a google image search for "bonsai deshojo maple", for example. Plenty of people around here work with them, I have a couple of small ones that are in development. Bill Valavanis has a nice one in his "Classical Bonsai Art" book. I think the foliage does tend to become mainly green during the summer, though.

Not familiar enough with other cultivars to make recommendations.

Chris
 
Go to your library and check out Vertrees' "Japanese Maples."

Won't an always red maple get a bit boring after a while?
 
coh said:
I've occasionally heard people say negative things about deshojo, but...there are plenty of nice specimens around. Do a google image search for "bonsai deshojo maple", for example. Plenty of people around here work with them, I have a couple of small ones that are in development. Bill Valavanis has a nice one in his "Classical Bonsai Art" book. I think the foliage does tend to become mainly green during the summer, though.

Not familiar enough with other cultivars to make recommendations.

Chris
Click to expand...

Thats what I was thinking; One of my all time favorite bonsai is a deshojo, so how bad could they really be? I thought that they did turn green in the summer because there are some old ones around town that turn red, then orange, then green, then red again. I just was seeing if there were better varieties, etc. I have seen one that was green with a purple outline that interested me in others.
 
jkl said:
Go to your library and check out Vertrees' "Japanese Maples."

Won't an always red maple get a bit boring after a while?
Click to expand...

Will do.

They might, but I definently know only green ones get boring after a while! I just liked the red because I rarely see anything any other color except green! Just a nice mix up.
 
Joe, just curious - what were the criticisms of deshojo on the other forum?
 
The main issue that I heard was their short life. I also read that they have major fungal issue and special protection requirements.
 
JoeR said:
The main issue that I heard was their short life. I also read that they have major fungal issue and special protection requirements.
Click to expand...

I wonder if this all stemmed from Walter Pall losing his Deshojo to V.wilt...I had honestly not heard anything particular about this cultivar, other then it's wonderful color, before the Pall tree died. It would be a shame to avoid such a nice cultivar just because one well known tree kicked the bucket.
 
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Thanks for the replies
Are you suggesting that the issue isnt as wideapread as suggeated and that it was just because of the one famous walter paul tree?
I am not only looking for deshojo, although If I ever get a chance i will definitely buy one or some seedlings for a group planting. I am open to any variety that you guys fancy/suggest, particularly ones with nice leaves like the deshojo or the one I saw with a purple border.
 
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JoeR said:
Thanks for the replies
Are you suggesting that the issue isnt as wideapread as suggeated and that it was just because of the one famous walter paul tree?
Click to expand...

I have no way of knowing, I'm just saying that Walter's blog is the only place I've heard/read it. Walter references a Japanese master (unnamed) who said they only live about 25 years. I don't know how many in the U.S. have been growing deshojo as bonsai for that long, maybe Bill V. can comment if he sees this. There are members here who've been doing bonsai for many years, if you're reading - have you had problems with Deshojo or heard of others having problems?

Chris
 
I seem to remember Peter Adams saying that Deshojo took a different approach and a bit more work that other varieties of A.p.
 
In his maples book, Adams says Deshojo is a strong grower so it can be difficult to bonsai. He has two in the book estimated 30 years and one estimated 45 years. Nothing else specific about the cultivar was really mentioned.
 
bloodgood is red all year rnd, but take a little more skill and are better at larger size tree's
 
Giga said:
bloodgood is red all year rnd, but take a little more skill and are better at larger size tree's
Click to expand...

I also considered them too, but I dont prefer larger trees just because I find them more diifficult to work on, but I do love their leaves.
 
Yes, I think the Walter Pall tree has a lot to do with to he longevity issue... It is the first place I heard it mentioned personally, but he specifically says in that post on his website that they are susceptible to the disease and don't tend to live very long... He goes on to say something about how you don't see many aged, old specimens because of it.

I have not seen many old specimens of this particular cultivar personally... Does anyone have some good examples to show? I'd love to dispel this one... Always avoided the Deshojo because of this!
 
Bunjeh said:
I have never ordered from these guys, but they show over 200 different cultivars.
http://www.maplestoneornamentals.com/cat/?id=Japanese_Maples
Click to expand...

They seem to be a trust worthy site. Maybe I will try them and let you guys know. The one I really liked was Acer palmatum 'Aratama', has anyone tried this? In its description on that website it said it is good for bonsai. Sadly They are grafted which may or may not show up later.
 
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