Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' - Japanese Fan Maple 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'.
General: Fan maple is native to Japan and Korea, where it grows in both upland and lowland forests. As a large tree-like shrub, it is often multi-stemmed and the crown is usually over-inclined like an umbrella when old. The leaves are five- to seven-lobed and turn bright orange to red in the fall. In addition, there are well over 100 cultivated forms in which the leaves vary greatly in size, shape and color.
Care as a bonsai: The fan maple is probably the best known Asian deciduous tree for bonsai design. The delicate branching with the delicate leaves often gives the bonsai a very graceful and graceful appearance. The bright fall coloration is also an asset to any bonsai collection. A bright outdoor location is important for all fan maples. The brighter the plants are, the more vibrant the leaf coloration. Only on extremely dry and hot summer days do they need to be shaded. The maple does not tolerate compacted, poorly aerated and waterlogged soil. Here it quickly comes to root or fungal diseases. The soil should not dry out, especially in summer. So it is best to use a loose substrate and perform regular root pruning and repotting in fresh substrate in the spring. If possible, use rainwater or soft tap water for watering. Avoid hard water at all costs. Fertilizing is done during the growing season from May to October. In our experience, topiary in June, combined with leaf pruning, is ideal. This avoids the "bleeding" of branches, the wounds heal very quickly and the new shoots are not too strong. The newly formed leaves are also smaller and more vigorously colored. Wounds should be treated directly with a wound closure product to prevent pathogen penetration. In winter, good frost protection is advisable.
Variety characteristics: The cultivar 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' belongs to the dwarf fan maples. The growth is accordingly slow and compact. The small leaves are conspicuously close together. They are light green when budding and turn an intense golden yellow to reddish color in autumn. Due to the very dense buds, a very good branching can be achieved by pruning. In addition, the shoots grow irregularly shaped compared to other maple varieties. This makes it possible to grow very harmonious bonsai without the use of wire.
