It is also well suited to being grown in a container or as a bonsai.
Outdoor planting should be done in the fall.
Their colorful foliage makes them focal points in every landscape.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Most Japanese maples take eight years or longer to reach full growth.
When planting, the roots need to be spread out to discourage the circular growth habit.
Aim the roots outwards so they do not strangle themselves, a common problem for many maples.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If you have ablack walnut tree, it naturally exudes juglone, a herbicide that kills plant competition.
Its leaves are very thin and delicate; too much hot, direct sun will scorch them.
Soil
The soil needs to be evenly moist, well-drained, and rich in organic matter.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Japanese maple does best in loamy, slightlyacidic soil(pH 6.2 to 6.5).
Roots may dry out quickly;mulch around the treeto prevent this and help retain moisture.
Once planted, water it deeply and regularly for the first two growing seasons until it is well established.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If the tree gets at least 1 inch of rain per week, it doesn’t need supplemental water.
Hot dry wind can damage the tender leaves and scorch them.
Fertilizer
‘Red Dragon’ Japanese maple should not be fertilized upon planting.
Mix it at half the recommended rate landscape trees.
Divide the fertilizer between the holes and fill the rest with soil.
For shaping, prune in late spring once the leaves emerge.
Prune to remove dead branches.
Also, use clean cuts with disinfected tools between each tree trimmed.
To avoid causing stress or stimulating unsightly growth, never remove more than one-fifth of a Japanese maples crown.
Every cut injures a tree, so only prune a healthy tree that can take some stress.
Stem cuttingsshould be taken in mid-spring, about one month after the start of the new growing season.
Here’s how:
Grafting should be done in the winter.
It involves joining the rootstock of a closely related species with thescionor upper stock of the cultivar.
When growing it in a container, beware of too much sun and heat.
Like all container plants, it will need more frequent watering.
The container should be no more than twice the size of its rootball.
It needs good drainage.
Repot once roots reach the sides and bottom of the pot, generally every couple of years.
Generally, do not fertilize past mid-summer because it spurts new growth that is vulnerable to cold damage.
No light is needed when the tree is dormant.
Keep the soil moderately moist until returning the maple outdoors in the spring.
Most of these diseases will resolve if the tree gets proper care.
However, if the plant is young or deeply affected, these diseases can kill the plant.
Also, provide good ventilation around the tree and avoid overwatering the tree.
The most common pests are Japanese beetles.
These leafeaters can defoliate a Japanese maple in no time.
Other common pest includeaphids, mealybugs,scale bugs, mites, and borers.
A strong spray of water can get rid of aphids and mealybugs.
However, try organic methods like insecticidal soap or neem oil to eliminate the other bugs.
As a last resort, use chemical pesticides.
A water-starved Japanese maple will go downhill quickly.
Water heavily to restore its vigor and give water regularly to prevent a recurrence.
Soil nematodes also feed on roots, creating openings for fungus to get into the root system.
Often, too much water is to blame for root rot and water-based molds infecting the tree.
If the tree has a verticillium infection orPhytophthora, there’s not much to do for it.
You withhold water to see if it dries out, and the tree can fight the disease.
you might also make a run at treat the soil with fungicide.
Japanese maples of all types live, on average, about 100 years.
Johnson County K-State Research and Extension.
