AusBonsai

i have seen other reds being bought up to queensland that are grafted on to standard root stock, however this dosn't help with leaf burn and because maple wounds have a tendency to swell quite a bit, it can be hard to find or create a good graft although they seem to be a bit stronger growers in the heat. look i have to admit that i am a big fan of the Japanese maples and i am all for trying different varieties up here but i personally gave up a while ago, as i invested quite a bit of money on advanced stock only to have the trees all go backwards in one way or the other, yes they will grow well in the ground but when they are confined to a pot they seem to be quite a bit more temperamental and seem to struggle up here, so really they are destined to a pretty hard life.

when i worked at bonsai nursery brisbane, we would send orders to bunnings all over australia but Japanese maples NEVER went any further north than the sunshine coast on strict orders, not to say that one or two might have slipped through from time to time for the poor folks up north that constantly requested them but there is a good reason for this and that is simply because they just didn't do well in the heat. in saying that, i really do hope that u guys can prove me wrong and find some cultivars that thrive here but until i see it for myself i won't be holding my breath. i hope i'm not sounding negative but i would hate to see anyone else have to loose quite a few bucks in the process. but i am hopeful and wish you guys the best of luck.

a couple more things to consider for you guys that are going to perservere is that sun protection is a must but also try and find a spot out of wind because even if you have them under shadecloth etc. a hot wind will do as much if not more damage than direct sun and a common problem we would see at the nursery was root fungus/root rot and i was always suspicious that people would see the leaves drying out and think water water water..!! so i wouldn't keep them to wet, once those leaves are burnt no amount of water will bring them back to health! good luck guys i am eagerly awaiting a pm saying guess what... we told ya so! cheers

Acer palmatum 'Seigen'
I know Ray has these also because I got a little starter off him after Peter Adams was talking about them and how hard they are to care for.

Although I had it under the shade of my large hornbeam bonsai as soon as it warmed up it's leaves sagged and it carked it
It is often the smallest youngest trees that give me the most issues out of zone.

I'm not holding particularly high hopes for them thriving here, but I'd like to give it a try. I'm all for sticking with what grows well in your area, but I'd very much like to give one a try.
My area is fairly well protected from wind, and I can keep the, well shaded.

I'm more after some Crab apples, but I'd liek to give a red maple a go. Just because they look spectacular =) And I have a pot that would suit the red foliage very well =P

NathanM wrote:I'm not holding particularly high hopes for them thriving here, but I'd like to give it a try. I'm all for sticking with what grows well in your area, but I'd very much like to give one a try.
My area is fairly well protected from wind, and I can keep the, well shaded.

I'm more after some Crab apples, but I'd liek to give a red maple a go. Just because they look spectacular =) And I have a pot that would suit the red foliage very well =P

Several years ago, I purchased several Thredleaf maples from a company in Victoria (Maples X Mail), and they were verry good
I spoke to them before placing my order and advised that they woudlbe for Bonsai, and they selected the trees with this in mind , with both low and very neat grafts.

They were shipped via the post, Barerooted with the roots wrapped in wet paper and they were great, All took really weel but lost 2 this year to curl grub
Since then I have tried to take cuttings and when bigger i will try to layer and Graft them myself.

Give them a call, and see what they have if you really want to try some different varieties. or failing that just brows the website and drool like I did

http://www.maplesxmail.com.au/

Ken

i have seen Japanese. red maples at my local bunnings here in hervey bay,(which is further north than the sunny coast) whether they slipped through the web or not i am unsure, what i do know is that with any tree that doesnt like hot drying winds, i try and steer clear of, on a different note i have several tridents that are thriving they have protection from winds, and the sun in the hottest part of the day.

as bretts has said already it does seem the smaller the tree (when i say smaller i mean in terms of age) ie a starter that is only a couple of years old, seem to be more prone to death than the bigger older ones i have.

jamie

I managed to get to Rays to pick up my trees today
1 Japanese Red Maple for $100, and 1 Deshojo only a year old

the JRM has Bright red foliage when new which fades to a deep green

the Deshjojo has Orange colour foliage and also redder when new.

I want a nice size Japanese Maple.

I picked up a couple of Maples the other day...let me know what you think

Webos wrote:I picked up a couple of Maples the other day...let me know what you think

the first ones nebari looks rather bare on the left hand side making me feel distracted, maybe it is the photo but the curve of the trunk feels a bit off too mate, sorry

the second one though you got yaself something with a lot of potential there mate

air layer off that middle branch and you have the makings of a sweet as informal upright plus you will get a nice little shohin into the bargain aswell

maybe some different angles of the first one would help mate i think that might be the issue with that one

jamie

Ken, thanks for that website mate! Will have a look tomorrow at work, and maybe give them a call!! ^_^
I also spoke to Tess at Bonsai Northside today, and she said that red maples will struggle a little, but a definately doable here. I was half expecting a "They won't grow here, don't waste your time", so that was positive!
Webos, nice finds mate. I particularly like the second one too.

Webos wrote:I picked up a couple of Maples the other day...let me know what you think

I like the second one too
Very nice

I trimmed my red tonight and it looks somewhat similar to yours. I will post photos when I can

ken