EDIT: I see this thread has moved on a bit since I started this reply...That's what I get for multi tasking..
.
Re: 'Chinese Maple', Due to differing sources my info is slightly different from Gnomes.
shennessy,
Welcome,
I like Gnome am unfamiliar with 'Chinese Maple':
A quick bit of research finds its origins around the River Han & Sichuan Province in China, [url=https://gardening.mweb.co.za/0009.htm]This site[/url] lists the scientific name is Acer buergerianum. This is a Trident Maple of which I have four.
[Just whips, But I love 'em
- But we will see if yours is the same.]
However: Also listed [url=https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/maples14.html]elsewhere[/url] as the Chinese Sugar Maple is Sorghum saccharatum (known also as Andropogon arundinaceus, var. saccharatus).
So conflicting info there, I am not going to assume what you have there.
Pictures would be helpful here.
If your tree is a Trident you will have some difficulties as I see [Through further research] that in Brisbane your average winter high temp is approaching 68f. This and having a latitude of 27 degrees will mean there are less of the seasonal changes of light and temps that Gnome spoke of.
This will make achieving/maintaining a dormancy a bit of a challenge to say the least.
So a few points at random
.
I have had this inside at a window shelf, so it has had plenty of Light (not direct sunlight).
It is a common misconception that it is bright indoors, It is not. Not to a plant that is. It may seem bright to you, But instead consider that light outside is
half of a sphere outside [Straight up & to the horizon in every direction + All the reflective light] vs. a source of light from
one direction letting in a very small portion of that light inside.
Here's the math: the intensity of light decreases to the square of the distance.
What this means is that if your plant is 10 feet from the window the available energy in the form of light is 64 times less than if it were 2 feet from the window. { 10-2=8, 8 squared=64}
Here is a previously posted bit about watering:
When to water:
It is impossible to water on a schedule: Watering on a schedule does
not address this question:
Does the tree need water?
Only checking the tree every day determines that, If it is moist two
knuckles deep into the soil- no need for water.
You cannot simply feel the surface of the soil as this is the first
to dry [and there is much below the surface.]
Check it every day, only water when it needs it.
To properly water a bonsai use a can w/ a fine rose
[Fine spray] and completely soak the soil until the water runs out
of the drainage holes, In 10 minutes you repeat this procedure, and
10 minutes later a final watering. All three times you completely
saturate the soil until the water is draining freely from the drainage holes.
Where would an ideal location be for a tree of this type based on my climate?
Outside, Your problem is going to be a lack of cold weather.
Would indoors be an option ? or leave it outside to experience the climate change as nature would intend.
Absolutely not.
That is exactly what you need to do.
There is a Bonsai garden here in Brisbane, so I should go take a peek and ask them questions also.
Do ask them if they have your species and is it evergreen or deciduous.
Also, If they do have deciduous trees ask how they handle dormancy requirements.
shennessy wrote:
I will take a picture of my tree and post on this Forum.
Please do post a picture in this thread.
ynot
