I recently bought a Japanese Shin Deshojo Red Maple bonsai.
This'll be my first Bonsai tree so I'm looking for any advice on how to take care of it! I've had it for close to a week and can tell the leaves are starting to droop on it or curl up, so maybe I'm doing something wrong?
To give some context in case it's important, I live in Northern Michigan.
How I have been taking care of it:
Originally, I was keeping it inside, but I was reading that it should be outdoors and not kept inside for it stay healthy. However, temperatures outside have occasionally been getting into the freezing range, so I've been bringing it inside to avoid frost overnight. The soil it's potted in is fast draining so I try to water it once a day. Also, I try to keep it more in the shade than direct sunlight.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated, but these were some questions I had....
Questions:
1. I was reading that I should only be giving the plant rainwater, and if I do give it tap water, that I should let the water sit for 24hrs prior to giving it to the plant?
2. Should I be keeping the plant in the shade? From what I was reading, Japanese red maples only like direct sunlight for a few hours out of the day....
3. As I mentioned, the pot it came in has a rockier soil that is fast draining. Should it be growing in a different kind of soil?
4. Any suggestions on resources or guides to taking care of a Japanese Red Maple?
Thanks!
This'll be my first Bonsai tree so I'm looking for any advice on how to take care of it! I've had it for close to a week and can tell the leaves are starting to droop on it or curl up, so maybe I'm doing something wrong?
To give some context in case it's important, I live in Northern Michigan.
How I have been taking care of it:
Originally, I was keeping it inside, but I was reading that it should be outdoors and not kept inside for it stay healthy. However, temperatures outside have occasionally been getting into the freezing range, so I've been bringing it inside to avoid frost overnight. The soil it's potted in is fast draining so I try to water it once a day. Also, I try to keep it more in the shade than direct sunlight.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated, but these were some questions I had....
Questions:
1. I was reading that I should only be giving the plant rainwater, and if I do give it tap water, that I should let the water sit for 24hrs prior to giving it to the plant?
2. Should I be keeping the plant in the shade? From what I was reading, Japanese red maples only like direct sunlight for a few hours out of the day....
3. As I mentioned, the pot it came in has a rockier soil that is fast draining. Should it be growing in a different kind of soil?
4. Any suggestions on resources or guides to taking care of a Japanese Red Maple?
Thanks!