maplesandpaws
Seedling
Hello all,
While I am not entirely new to bonsai (been an enthusiast for many years, and in the last few have finally started with some trees), I am fairly new to maples - and have become hooked (line, and sinker, lol). Important info to know: I live in Kansas, my maples get indirect morning sun to about 10am then bright shade with some dappled sun for the rest of the day, and are protected as much as I possibly can from the wind.
I know maples don't care for wet feet, and I thought I had a decent soil mix, but I think it is still too water-retentive as I haven't needed to water for 2-3 days. I know it's due in large part to the horrendous heat we've had the past 2-3 months, but a lot of my leaves are quite singed along the edges, but I'm worried too that it's because they're too wet. Granted, it's been more humid this last week after finally receiving rain, but am I right in thinking it needs to be faster draining? I've been using a standard tree and shrub soil (like Miracle Gro, Scotts, etc) with some extra pine bark, haydite, kanuma (like haydite, but ericaceous (sp?)), and fine chicken grit mixed in. I've also added some Happy Frog Soil Conditioner to it.
The majority of my maples are 1-2 year grafts with a couple that are a little older, so I know they are more sensitive to conditions at this stage, and I'd hate to be stressing them more unnecessarily by doing things wrong.
Also, how often should I feed them? I know the general rule of thumb with bonsai is about twice a month, but I know too that maples don't necessarily need - or do well - with too much fertilizer. Is there a fertilizer you'd recommend? I have a general purpose bonsai fertilizer (7-9-5) I had been using, but have recently purchased Fox Farm's Japanese Maple fertilizer and Neptune's Harvest Fish and Seaweed Blend; haven't had a chance to use them yet as I bought them after it got so terribly hot.
Any and all feedback and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
While I am not entirely new to bonsai (been an enthusiast for many years, and in the last few have finally started with some trees), I am fairly new to maples - and have become hooked (line, and sinker, lol). Important info to know: I live in Kansas, my maples get indirect morning sun to about 10am then bright shade with some dappled sun for the rest of the day, and are protected as much as I possibly can from the wind.
I know maples don't care for wet feet, and I thought I had a decent soil mix, but I think it is still too water-retentive as I haven't needed to water for 2-3 days. I know it's due in large part to the horrendous heat we've had the past 2-3 months, but a lot of my leaves are quite singed along the edges, but I'm worried too that it's because they're too wet. Granted, it's been more humid this last week after finally receiving rain, but am I right in thinking it needs to be faster draining? I've been using a standard tree and shrub soil (like Miracle Gro, Scotts, etc) with some extra pine bark, haydite, kanuma (like haydite, but ericaceous (sp?)), and fine chicken grit mixed in. I've also added some Happy Frog Soil Conditioner to it.
The majority of my maples are 1-2 year grafts with a couple that are a little older, so I know they are more sensitive to conditions at this stage, and I'd hate to be stressing them more unnecessarily by doing things wrong.
Also, how often should I feed them? I know the general rule of thumb with bonsai is about twice a month, but I know too that maples don't necessarily need - or do well - with too much fertilizer. Is there a fertilizer you'd recommend? I have a general purpose bonsai fertilizer (7-9-5) I had been using, but have recently purchased Fox Farm's Japanese Maple fertilizer and Neptune's Harvest Fish and Seaweed Blend; haven't had a chance to use them yet as I bought them after it got so terribly hot.
Any and all feedback and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!