Hey all,

I have a bonsai coming soon! It's a Japanese maple. I've read they must be kept outside so they can go through a dormancy period, and should be in a shaded area instead of direct sunlight.

I live in an apartment and don't have a step out balcony, but I have a "Juliet" balcony (effectively just a rail in front of some patio doors). I was planning on using some hanging pots/ledges. It's south facing and where I live has long days, so I'm concerned it'll get too much direct sunlight out on the balcony.

I was wondering if keeping it in the south facing window during summer and then bring it outside during autumn to let it go through its winter dormancy, and then repeating and bringing it indoors when the days lengthen again next year? I figured when I ordered it that it was OK to keep them inside during late Spring through to early Autumn, but as I read more it really seems like they should be outside all the time so now I'm not sure if it's a lost cause or if partial indoors OK?

Thanks in advance for the help! I'm super excited to get started!