Japanese Maple Arakawa Bonsai
I purchased this Arakawa online from The Growing Grounds bonsai nursery who are located in North Carolina. It arrived here in a box on 12/17/07 and it was about 14 years old at that time. The Arakawa (translation ‘rough bark’) cultivar is known for its characteristic ‘cork’ bark which is my favorite aspect.
2018 Update: The crown died back on this tree a few years ago, so I have since planted it in the ground to let it grow wild for a few years in order to develop it into a new form. I will post new pics at some point.
2/5/19: I thread grafted a new leader this winter, will post pics when I can.
12/25/07
1/1/08 - Added some guy-wires to reposition the branches.
2/17/08 - Prepared a training pot for repotting with with a well draining soil mix.
Combed out and washed the organic soil from the root pad.
Done.
3/2/08 - Buds extending later than the other maples.
3/24/08
3/30/08 - Added a top layer of sphagnum to increase water retention.
4/20/08 - Huge amount of new growth in 20 days.
6/15/08 - Lot’s of new growth. Did some light training and pruning.
2/2/09 - Annual prune/style – working on thickening lower branches, and ramification.
3/30/09 - New spring growth.
8/4/09 - Lower branches growing wild.
10/25/09 - Showing some fall colors.
12/21/09 - Winter silhoutte – ready for styling.
2/8/10 - Wired branches this year. Starting to like the way it looks. Need to check roots for repotting. Time to find a good pot for it.
1/23/1 - before wiring
3/7/11 - Early spring. showing all four sides. The base of the trunk is wider from the side view.
3/19/11. repotted this year. I how it looks at this time of year when the leaves first come out. they are small and match the size of the tree. did a lot of wiring this year. having a hell of a time finding the pot I want online.
3/27/11. finally took a stab at taking some decent pictures. need more lighting tho.
This is the pot that I want for this tree. I am having a hard time finding it in the 16" size online - anybody want to sell me one?
Finally found this pot via special order from http://www.bonsaimonk.com it hasn't arrived yet, but i'm looking forward to repotting into it this winter!
12/24/11. We had a late warm spell and it got some new growth. I was worried it wouldn't go dormant but it seems to be now.
1/23/12 - The new Japanese pot I special ordered from bonsaimonk.com arrived in time for me to repot this winter.
2/5/12 - I decided to carve the top of the short trunk that had been chopped off - with a dremel tool to make it look more natural. I'll probably carve it some more and treat it with lime sulfur eventually.
wow.. those images of images of japanese maple bonsai are so beautiful. no wonder, those little trees can lighten up anybody’s day.
This is one of my favorite Japanese Maple trees. They are phenomenal as bonsai because it has old-looking bark in a young tree. I wonder, though, why there are not any variations on these trees marketed – such as tiny leaves or red or variegated leaves.
Wow!!! beautiful. Nice work. Do you know if Arakawa will survive Texas summer climate?
Thanks Dustin! I’m not sure about summer air temp limits, but I know that the leaves do burn with too much direct sun, and that they need to have at least a month or two of cold weather dormancy. Assuming you have cold enough winters, you would probably be ok as long as you protect it from the harsh sun with a shade cloth or similar. Cheers!
I live in Pennsylvania and just purchased one of these from someone in California. Can I leave it outside all Winter safely?
Hi Tom,
Congrats on your new tree – I think the Arakawa is the best maple you could choose for bonsai.
Yes, maples are deciduous trees that require a period of winter dormancy to survive. If you keep it warm all year round it will eventually die.
It won’t hurt to protect it from harsh winds and such, but this is an outside tree. Only tropical trees such as ficus can be kept indoors long term.
Enjoy,
Steve
Thanks Steve. I finally purchased a semi finish Arakawa after finished up my home made sun room / nursery to protect maple from summer direct sun light and heat wave and winter cold wave. Hope my new Arakawa will develop nicely like yours !!! Whenever you decide to sell your tree, I would love to be the first learner, 🙂
Just finished reading your blog. If you need a round great looking pot please try Finnoa of How I Make Bonsai Pots, she does awesome work and is from New Zealand.
great pots and really cool prices.
Please try her you will be pleased.
.