Acer Palmatum positioning ...

ThePlantDude · White Belt Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 25

Howdy,
I've got a few non bonsais of these dudes and they are placed in a protected (from wind) almost full sun (not blazing ... but about 4 hours direct sun a day) position. Now I've taken some cuttings and I'm planning on turning them into bonsai. All the bonsai books Ive read about positioning them suggest part shade to full shade ! If I did this to my full grown trees they would grow unevenly (they re in pots ... Ive tried it).
So my questions are ... why are the books saying this ? is it to protect the roots ? Should they be in part shade and then turned to keep them growing evenly ? What do other people do ?

Thanks Shocked

John P · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: Acer Palmatum positioning ...

Just keep them in the shade or a semi-shady area away from the mid-day sun for the first year or until they are well established and growing strongly Dude. You don't want to risk the plants from transpiring too much, when the new root systems may be unable to take in sufficient moisture. Also the roots will be rather fleshy and will die id allowed to cook or dry out in the sun.
Good luck with the cuttings.
John.

Stymie · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: Acer Palmatum positioning ...

A further word Dude. Full sun will probably cause browning of the edges of mature trees too. It isn't likely to kill them but is rather unsightly. For this reason I advocate part shade all the time.

ThePlantDude · White Belt Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 25

Thanks JohnDude and StymieDude ... i think I'll grow them on for a season and get them well established before i start torturing them. I'll give them part shade too.

Cheerio Shocked