Japanese Maple -- Bloodgood

[michaelt]

Has anyone out there tried to create a bonsai working with the Bloodgood red Japanese maple, the variety commonly available at nurseries? What was your experience? Successful? Not successful? Can the leaves be reduced? Other issues?
Thanks in advance for any responses.

[frankp0]

Maple cultivars are often grafted onto a green maple rootstock. You should look for one with the graft as low as possible.

[centaura]

That would be my response - I'm far enough north that the only japanese maples I see at nurseries are grafted specimens. Not to say that you can't airlayer over a graft, but its something to watch out for. Otherwise, yes I've seen them as bonsai but can't say that I know if any particular issues to them, other than watch the hardiness, especially if you've airlayered it onto it's own roots.

-Cat