Its beautiful foliage varies in colors.
So, instead of looking for its pictures online, plant your ownJapanese maple treeand see the beauty firsthand.
We are here to help you with this simple goal.
Pick the Right Variety
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However, dont stick to the beauty factor alone.
Understand that its not your ordinary tree.
Its not an oak.
Instead, it seems to have similar characteristics to a shrub.
EachJapanese maple treewill be unique if grown from a seed.
Despite being taken from the same tree, each seed will develop differently.
However, three groups are universally recognized.
The majority of differences come down to the leaves.
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The wings of seeds can reach a maximum length of 58 in (15 mm).
Its most common in lower altitude areas of Japan.
TheAmoenumGroup has larger leaves and seed wings.
The largest of the three subcategories, it grows well in high altitudes throughout Japan and South Korea.
TheMatsumuraeGroup is the middle one of the three.
On most, its seed wings reach 1 in (25 mm).
It grows in higher altitude areas of Japan.
We can be even more particular if you want to.
So, you might want to pick the tree that fits your habits.
Five types seem to stand out the most.
Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Acer palmatumBloodgood)
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Its one of the largest ofJapanese maple trees.
Its leaves usually have around 5 to 7 lobes.
As the name gives away, they turn scarlet in the fall.
It grows best in moist, well-drained soil that leans more on the slight acidity side.
Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatumSango-kaku)
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Spring, summer, fall, and winter this variety stands against them all with its beauty.
It can make an excellent addition to youroutdoor area.
From spring to summer, green foliage will dot your tree.
However, once fall sets, the leaves turn yellow to orange.
When winter approaches and the leaves drop, the bark turns reddish.
To flourish like this yearly, ensure the soil is slightly acidic and well-drained.
Crimson Queen Japanese Maple (Acer palmatumCrimson Queen)
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No wonder its named Crimson Queen.
Its leaves are some of the most beautiful in the world of trees.
While they might start out green, the color shifts to a sharp crimson and burgundy once they mature.
As summer approaches, they turn to bronze, purple, and everything in between.
Its a good tree to grow in an interior.
Its not too big, but also not too small.
Pair it withyour dogwood treefor Asian and American/European vibes.
Red Dragon Japanese Maple (Acer palmatumRed Dragon)
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Luckily, this variety doesnt breathe red hot fire like the name would say.
Instead, it has cherry, fire-colored leaves that intensify when summer comes.
Around summer and fall, the leaves become darker and scarlet-like.
So, if you want to add reddish color to your garden the red dragon is the perfect choice.
It grows well in a variety of soils, and it just needs some extra light.
Tamukeyama Japanese Maple (Acer palmatumTamukeyama)
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The cascading branches from the red bark host unique, sharp, like purple to red leaves.
Its foliage alone increases the value of the tree.
It is an excellent addition to your garden, especially if you want those Asian vibes.
Planting Your Japanese Maple Tree
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Now comes the dirty part.
Luckily, you wont need to take those extra steps as you did withyour bamboo plant.
However, if you still have doubts, ask the professionals where you buy your saplings.
After all, they can tell you much more about the exact sampling youre buying.
When to Plant?
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When you plant, it depends on where you grow yourJapanese maple tree indoors or outdoors.
Time-wise, the differences are clear-cut.
If you decide to grow your treeindoors, its best to grow it in fall and winter.
However, if your beautiful tree grows in anoutdoorarea, plant your sapling in the spring and summer seasons.
Where to Plant?
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Location dictates how powerful the color of the bark and leaves will be.
While the tree might withstand strong winds, its still best to shelter it from them.
So, double-check your garden is behind some form of shelter.
Also, ensure that yourJapanese maple treegets enough light, but not too much.
Too much sun might burn your Japanese maple leaf and thus ruin the view.
How to Plant?
Picked the time and place?
Well, now you have to plant your soon-to-be colorful tree.
The process is as easy as with other trees.
Its not a flower you are planting here where you must consider more factors.
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Since this variety of trees suits perfectly for your bonsai project, you might grow it in acontainer.
Step 1.Prepare a workspace you dont mind getting dirty.
After all, when you play with dirt stuff will get dirty.
see to it to water your plant in its current container it came in.
Choose a container that is spacy enough for your future goals.
ensure there are holes on the bottom for water to drain away.
Mix up your planting soil with quality compost.
Also, depending on the variety, mix in some sand, especially at the bottom.
It will ensure the water flows freely.
Dig out a large hole to place the plants roots into the pot.
Fill in the empty space with soil/compost mix.
Put some mulch around the base of the tree.
Not too much, though.
Just enough to create a layer of protection.
Water the area and tidy up your workplace.
Place your potted plant where it could get some of that morning sunlight.
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If you are going for the traditional hole in youroutdoorgarden, you might find it to be slightly easier.
The process is the same, but at least the mess wont give you a headache.
Water your tree (even if its in a container).
Choose the right place.
Grab your shovel and start digging.
Ensure the hole is about the size of the pot the tree came in.
Mix up the freshly dug soil with some compost.
Place your tree into the freshly dug hole.
You might want to slightly water the hole itself before plating the tree.
Fill in the space with soil/compost mix.
Spread some mulch around the base of the tree.
It will act as a layer of protection from sudden weather effects.
Water the area and tidy up your tools.
Take Care of YourJapanese Maple Tree
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Planting the tree is one thing, but caring for it is a long-term project.
If you want those vibrant colors every year, you must keep the major factors in check.
However, you dont need to keep an eye 24/7.
Soil
You have to get the soil right right from the start.
After all, its the foundation for your tree.
The majority of these tree types prefer a more acidic soil.
Also, verify the soil is moist and full of nutrients.
While your tree might grow in your standard backyard soil, the growth rate will be much slower.
Water
A well-drained and moist soil is an answer to a healthy tree.
Usually, two to three days apart.
However, once grown, youll need to water it once a week, more during the hotter seasons.
To keep the soil from being overwatered spread some mulch around the base of the tree.
Temperature and Humidity
The temperature factor depends on the color of the leaves.
Greener leaves can withstand the heat, so its a better choice for countries in hotter climates.
Your typicalcrimson queen Japanese maplecan flourish in USDA zones between 5 to 8.
Fertilizer
What is the best food for this tree?
However, once you plant it and some time passes youre going to need to fertilize it.
Instead of buying liquid, invest in slow-releasing solid fertilizer.
Overwintering
Too much coldness is not always good, even for a tree.
A ground-based tree, especially hardened ones, will survive harsh winters easily.
However, container-based trees are more prone to winter damage.
Thus, if you grow your tree outside in a container, you should bring it inside.
Keeping Your Plant Healthy
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Sometimes, special actions are required to keep your tree healthy.
It can take a few minutes to just a couple of hours.
Training
No, its not like training your dog to listen to commands.
Instead, we are talking about training the branches to go the way you want them to go.
With some wire, you’ve got the option to mold the tree however you want.
While it might seem cruel at first, yourred Japanese maplebenefits from the shaping.
Its best to train your tree in winter.
Pruning
Too many branches can harm a tree, especially if they are withering and useless.
So dont be afraid to cut off some branches in the name of health and beauty.
However, if you do decide to take up pruning take into account the age of the tree.
If yourtree is younger, no more than ten years, dont go for a session of severe pruning.
Instead, cut off some branches but leave whip-like ones intact.
Soon enough, they will grow into healthy branches.
Its another question if thetree is older.
Cut off lower and cross branches to improve the trees stability and stability.
Potting and Repotting
Even yourdwarf Japanese maplecan be too big for its original pot.
So, to keep your bonsai creation healthy and flourishing, its roots must have space to expand.
If you are going for abigger pot, you dont have to repot your plant annually.
However, it’s possible for you to alsocut off some rootsand use the same or a bigger pot.
Every two to three years, you should inspect the roots of your tree.
Propagating
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Maybe gift it to your family or grow an army of bonsai trees.
Either way, to save some money in the name of sanity, its time to take up propagation.
Now, there are two popular ways you’re free to propagate a Japanese maple tree.
That is by cuttings or grafting.
By stem cuttings, we mean softwood ones taken from the softer side of the tree.
They have a much higher success rate than hardwood ones.
The process of propagating this way is relatively easy.
Its best to do it in summer.
Take a 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) softwood cutting.
Leave the leaves on top, but remove the rest of them.
By doing this, the soil will retain some of the water.
Once the cutting is in, water the area.
Ensure the cutting gets some light, especially in the morning.
As the roots start to develop (a good sign!
Soon enough, roots will develop enough for you to plant it in another container or outside.
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Grafting, on the other hand, is the most popular of the two.
It involved a lot of preparation work and a lot of checking.
However, if this isnt your first rodeo youll find the process to be simple.
Wait for January or February.
During this time, have your seedling outside.
A few weeks before starting the grafting progress, bring in the seedling inside and keep it warm.
It usually takes ten to fourteen days for a seedling to come out of dormancy.
After the dormant phase comes to an end prepare to graft!
Cut an inch-deep, diagonal line into the seedling.
At the same time, prepare a cutting that could fit the diagonal hole.
Join the cutting and the seedling together with the help of rubber bands and grafting wax.
Ensure the grafted seedling gets enough sun (but not too much).
Every three to five days, check that the seal of the wax is intact and okay.
Dont forget to water during the whole period.
Look out for growing leaves and branches on the cutting.
It means your graft worked!
When those beautiful leaves form remove the wax.
You wont need that anymore.
After a year of growth passes plant it outside or in a container of your choice.
Common Problems and Diseases
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Some factors you cant control 100%.
Sometimes, diseases and pests can attack your tree and create hard-to-deal problems.
Instead of panicking and destroying the whole tree, you might want to investigate.
Curling leavesusually mean only two things lack of water or an infestation of aphids.
If its hot and dry, it usually means your plant needs water.
However, if any leaves are falling, it means there are some pests on your tree.
Brown leavesindicate high temperature or a spread of disease like verticillium wilt.
If its the temperature, move your plant into a shady place.
If its a disease, hire an arborist for the right treatment plan.
Scorched leavesdont indicate overwatering, if you are guessing that.
Instead, many things might create such leaves, two more common overfertilization and the environment.
Keep them from the hot sun, and dont use too much fertilizer.
If this doesnt help, hire a professional
Adiscolored Japanese maple leafis a bad sign.
Since the tree is known for its vibrant leaves, discolored foliage should alarm you.
Its a problem caused primarily by the pH imbalance in soil, lack of nutrients or sunlight.
Pseudomonas syringae and other diseasesharm the plant in their own way.
What is the best solution for this?
Hire a professional to give you the correct diagnosis and then use the proper treatment.
Instead of overspreading your tree with insecticides, use a proven solution.
FAQ
What is So Special About Japanese Maples?
What sets out your generic Japanese maple from all the other trees is the beauty factor.
Its foliage varies in colors that range from fire red to simple orange.
Also, it symbolizes strength and protection.
Do Japanese Maples Stay Red All Year?
Sadly, it depends on factors where it grows and what variety it is.
However, if well maintained, you’re free to enjoy the red foliage yearly.
How Long Does a Japanese Maple Live?
Like all trees, your Japanese maple can live for a very long time.
As long as you keep it healthy your tree will live for as long as it wants.
