AusBonsai

Just broken up with my first love, Japanese maples, and my heart is still weeping.
I just don’t want to be hurt again and again.

Japanese Maple is just not for me, a Sydneysider.

Like most Bonsai people, I fell in love with her at the first sight, esp in Japanese Bonsai books, beautiful colour, elegant leaves etc……………and neglect the fact that Sydney is far too hot to keep her in good shape. For 3 years, I tried my very best and she betrayed me again and again. Finally, I have to say SaYoNaRa and be realistic. (BTW, Sensei Pup, is my japanese spelling ok? )

Here I come, my Elms, Pyracantha, Bougainvillea, Figs, Pines, Junipers, Malus, trident and Liquidamber

You have my sympathy and understanding... I gave up Japanese maples years ago and am happy with tridents. I can work with most trees with only occasionally a careless move = loss of branch. With the Japanese maples it seemed every time I touched one of mine I broke off an important branch. After 3 it just seemed ridiculous to continue with so many other species on offer that have branch fastenings a bit more secure. Be of good cheer... there's plenty of options out there.

Growing trees out of zone can be very challenging. Having only mucked around with a few smaller japanese maples I don't have much to compare to but I struggle growing hornbeam out of zone and don't think I would ever give up the challenge. I have found that the larger the tree the easier it is to grow out of zone. Bonsai generally become less tolerant when in a pot but I can not imagine planting my hornbeams out in the ground. Maybe I just don't have the right spot in my garden but I don't think Hornbeam can survive here without the specail care I can give them in a pot. They need to be spot on to come through relatively unscaved in the heat. I started with larger ones and now find the smaller they are the more trouble they give me.
I have not had a larger Japanese Maple to compare that species in our climate though But it might be worth trying with a larger one if you haven't yet. I think the larger the better.

I have numerous Japanese maples and have no problem keeping them healthy.
I have grown from seed, Cuttings, LAyer.
I currently have :-
Acer Palmatum
Acer Palmatum Dissectum ( 4 different ones)
Acer Palmatum Deshojo

I have had them all in the ground at some time, and have repotted them into Training Pots. Some are in Ray Nesci soil and I am slowly repooting them all into my Diatomite mix.

Yes the branches can be brittle, but so are Azaleas.

Ken

Sad news but...

To keep all of you Sydneysiders happy just ship all of your J. maples down to us Canberrans were we can give them the proper care and climate they so rightly deserve!

p.s. Just ignore the summer temps

Scott.

I will treat that remark with the contempt it deserves.

Growing out of Zone as Bretts puts it is needed with all northern hemisphere tree's. The correct MICRO climate. Acer's need a cool root system.
In California which is much like out west in Australia is dry and hot.They grow them and grow them well, not like Sydney humid.
So you need to adapt your Soil.
In Japan where it is humid and warm in summer they add shredded sphagnum moss to the mix!. For a cool root system,
Here in the foot hills of Perth where we have dry heat in our summers. I have successfully grown. Shito size tree's that is under 25 mms for the last 15 years by adjusting my MICRO climate.
So if you are serious about growing something you can make the ajustments if you wish. Pup

It will be all fine after a couple a cold ones...

Great advice though Mr Pup.