japanese maple tree care in pots

Dig a generous planting hole and incorporate some well-rotted organic matter. Use quality potting soil but not one that contains slow-release fertilizer that might burn roots. The tree will generally grow only as tall as the understock, usually one or two metres. The roots of maples in pots are vulnerable to frost over winter, so wrap your container with a sheet of bubble wrap, held in place with garden twine. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Lowe's reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted. No light is needed when the tree is dormant. Due to the trees shipping from Florida, please expect the leaves to be greenish red. All containers should have adequate drainage holes in the base. Its small stature, slow growth rate, fibrous root system and elegant good looks make it the prime candidate. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Mulch with well-rotted organic matter, such as garden compost or mulching bark from a garden centre, so the soil does not dry out in summer. Some gardeners root-prune lightly every couple or few years when potting up gradually to a larger container, to tell the tree to stay small–almost as if making bonsai. The first step toward having a container grown Japanese maple is to determine a variety that would work well in your area. Once you receive your tree, you should immediately remove it from the plastic bag and place it in a shady spot. Select a site that is sheltered from cold winds, where your Japanese Maple can enjoy morning or late afternoon sun. If a tree is planted correctly it will grow twice as fast and live at least twice as long as one that is incorrectly planted. Japanese maple care is easy. Top up the mulch around the tree to help conserve water loss. Generally, these maples grow slower in pots and develop smaller root systems. Any Japanese Maple can be grown in a pot, but the smaller varieties have naturally smaller root systems and will reside more happily in a container. Instead of developing a single trunk, it often produces several smaller ones, making ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese maple tree grow in width too. If you are interested in planting a Japanese maple in a pot, here’s all the information you’ll need to get started. Choose a dwarf cultivar that matures at less than 10 feet. Read, especially the section on “Temperature” in the following website. Apply eco-hydrate to the soil monthly during hot seasons to ensure moisture retention around the roots. Japanese maples really don’t like hot dry conditions and must receive adequate water during summer to look their best. For Japanese Maples grown in pots in the coldest recommended growing zone for your particular tree protect them in winter by moving them into an unheated garage or shed. Make sure there’s a drainage hole. It is imperative that the pot has one or more drainage holes. Japanese maples like moist but not wet soils. Japanese Maple Planting and Care . A popular type of dwarf maple is formed by grafting a fine-leafed Japanese maple with a weeping habit onto an upright understock. Japanese maples won't survive in soggy soil. Many different types of trees thrive in containers. Acer palmatum Japanese Maple. So do small deciduous trees like the Japanese maple. The tree is about 2-3 feet tall. This maple is famed for its excellent autumnal colour and as a stately shade tree. Position the plant ensuring that it is planted at the same depth as it was in the pot, backfill and firm in. Pick dwarf or semi-dwarf species for your potted Japanese maples. Can Japanese maples be grown in containers? Long Term Care. The Bloodgood Red Japanese Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 5-8 and is shipped in a #3 pot with a minimum tree height of 24 in. Tree approximately 2m tall and has developed healthy, dense foliage. Water helps retain heat over the winter. Learn how to plant and care for Japeanse maples. They are generally slow growing and come in varying forms such as weeping, upright and spreading. Hi, I have a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) sapling in a 10-12 inch pot that I purchased last spring and moved to a bigger pot once. If you pick a tree that doesn’t get taller than 10 feet (3 m.) tall, you won’t have to do annual pruning. Once the tree is potted, water it well. Slide the point of your small shovel into the soil 1 inch from the rim of the pot each week to keep the roots trimmed so the growth of the tree will remain stunted. Last week when I was at the nursery buying my bowl of Johnny Jump Ups, I walked around and looked at them. Use good quality potting soil to fill the pot. In cooler climates like Tasmania the maple prefers a position with good light. Although the upper parts of the tree are quite tolerant of cold, the roots can be damaged if exposed to temperatures lower than 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Water your tree daily. Apply the water to the root zone slowly so that the soil can absorb as much water as possible. Plants in containers do not have the root protection that plants in the ground have so they are not as cold hardy. Plant the crown level with soil as it was growing in the pot, and fill in with the 50/50 mix. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Japanese Maples are small, deciduous trees best known for their elegant, architectural form and stunning autumn foliage colours. Published on May 6, 2018 Placing your potted Japanese Maple in a larger pot has several advantages, firstly to help stop your potted tree blowing over in windy weather. If growing your Japanese Maple in zone 5, make sure you protect them in winter. Container-grown Japanese maples allow homeowners with small yards or poor soil to enjoy these ornamental trees and develop their landscape in … ). If I only had room for one woody plant in a pot, it would be a Japanese maple (actually I have room for 5 so far, but will get more! Place your potted Japanese maple in an unheated garage or shed. Dig the planting hole to one and a half times the depth, and 2 times the circumference of the root ball. Japanese maples won't survive in soggy soil. ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese maple trees are not fast growers, but they can reach a height of 15 to 20 feet, depending on the species. You can grow both evergreen and deciduous trees in containers. Our local stores do not honor online pricing. Peat Moss, Perlite, and barky mulch are best for holding air and moisture. The smaller the mature size of the species, the more likely it is that the tree will grow happily in a large pot. If I keep it outdoors, what are some steps I can take to protect it? Constantly soggy soil will lead to root root rot, which is the most prevalent killer of Japanese maples in containers, and in the ground. Container-grown Japanese maples make an artistic addition to the garden, deck or patio. And they can be grown in climates normally too cold for this species. Water your tree thoroughly. Clip out the big, wood roots. Follow these tips to help your potted maple thrive for years: Planters, Window Boxes and Plant Containers Guide, Link to Lowe's Home Improvement Home Page, A Tree That’s a Natural Fit for a Container. The prices for Japanese Maples start around $49.99. The prized autumn leaf colour has leaves changing from green in spring and summer into shades of yellow, orange and red tones. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Water in well. Fertilize sparingly. Add a tablespoon of fertilizer each month to keep your maple tree fed. Handsome enough to showcase on its own, Japanese maple also works nicely with companion plants. How to plant, grow and care for Japanese maple trees. Japanese Maple trees require little long term maintenance once properly planted. With hundreds of different Japanese maple cultivars available in commerce, you need to choose one that will grow in your plant hardiness zone. Most Japanese Maple trees are sold in pots which can be used for five years or so before the tree needs to be re-potted. Prune in midsummer to shape the plant or keep it at a desired size. Repot once roots reach the sides and bottom of the pot, generally every couple of years. As with all trees and shrubs, Japanese maples are best planted in autumn or spring. 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It does best in full sun to part shade and prefers an evenly moist soil that is well drained. Larger plants will also work if you prune them annually. Follow these tips to help your potted maple thrive for years: Choose a dwarf cultivar that matures at less than 10 feet. Not all trees and shrubs will take to containers. If you have a porch, a patio or even a fire escape, you have what you need to start growing Japanese maples in containers. What is the best way to care for it over the winter--keep it indoors or keep it outdoors in a protected area? How to plant Japanese maples. During the summer months, you will see water holding gel at the bottom of the plastic shipping bag. Caring for a Japanese Maple in a Pot. Prices, Promotions, styles, and availability may vary. Perfect for balconies, BBQ areas or in the garden itself. If you mess that up, the tree will die. Sand based soil is preferred so that your maple is able to develop fine fibrous roots that support the tree. To start one or more potted Japanese maples, you need a large container, good potting soil and a partially sunny location for it. This tree has a very curious shape. In hotter parts of the country, Japanese maples will grow best in part shade. Inadequate soil preparation and improper planting are two frequent causes of plant failure. Keep the soil moderately moist until returning the maple outdoors in the spring. Larger varieties, such as Bloodgood, will quickly outgrow a pot and would need to be transplanted often to larger and larger pots. Smaller Japanese maple trees are particularly sensitive to being planted in oversize pots. One tree I’ve always longed to have is a Japanese Maple. Select a container that’s no more than twice the volume of roots. Use good quality potting soil to fill the pot. Best leaf color in partial shade, although full sun can be tolerated. Larger plants will also work if you prune them annually. Prune the roots by cutting away large, woody roots to encourage small fibrous ones to form. It is important that you do not use composts derived from animal waste because it may burn your maple's roots. Individual branches can be coaxed to hang downward in a more elegant habit by hanging light weights on the branches for one growing season. We strongly recommend eco-hydrate for Japanese maples in pots. Avoid bulbous, rounded pots because when the time does come for re-potting the only way to remove your Japanese Maple will be by breaking the container. Growing Japanese maples in containers is not as unusual as you may think. Don’t fertilize until spring, and even then dilute a water-based fertilizer to half-strength. These graceful, slender maple trees (Acer palmatum) thrive in pots as long as you know how to plant them. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Smaller species and dwarf varieties of evergreens usually do well as container grown plants. Growing in containers. If you want a healthy, happy, container grown Japanese maple, you’ll need to plant your tree in a container that is about twice the size of the tree’s root system. Select a container that’s no more than twice the volume of roots. It is imperative that the pot has one or more drainage holes. This helps to settle the roots in the soil. Perfect as specimen plant. If you want a healthy, happy, container grown Japanese maple, you’ll need to plant your tree in a container that is about twice the size of the tree’s root system. Placing the tree in full sun or strong wind will often result in severe shock to the tree. It’s not that hard to start growing Japanese maples in containers. Japanese maple bonsai The Bonsai Society of Australia recommends pruning your Japanese maple in June once the leaves have fallen (which happens around May to mid-July). Make sure there’s a drainage hole. Yes, they can. Caring for Japanese maples in summer is mainly a matter of providing enough water to prevent stress. Move the plant to an unheated garage or basement where temperatures remain above freezing (an attached garage works great). If, over time, you see that the roots of the Japanese maple in a pot touch the side or bottom of the container, it’s time for root pruning. All the other answers are right. Apply a water-based fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, when growth begins in the spring. If there’s one tree that’s tailor-made for growing in a pot, it’s Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). The soil mix should hold water evenly throughout the container and allow for goo drainage. Beautiful 8 year old Japanese Maple in Pop & Scott Pot (Terracotta colour). Trim the ends of the branches as necessary to ensure the tree does not overgrow the pot. Overwinter potted Japanese maples in a protected spot after foliage drops in the fall. This lets smaller roots develop. You CAN grow a Japanese Maple indoors BUT!! Sign up for our newsletter. However, there is one very choice group of woody plants that are ideal; Japanese Maples. Lush green leaves in warmer months and gorgeous red and orange leaves during autumn and into winter. Water the tree deeply in the absence of rain. you still must respect the tree’s dormancy needs. Most commonly grown as a feature tree, they also take on starring roles in rockeries and in large pots. Water in the tree to settle the soil and continue watering regularly, especially in dry weather, during the first summer. Pot and would need to choose one that will grow best in part shade and an! Nursery buying my bowl of Johnny Jump Ups, I walked around and looked at them and firm.... How: keep up to date with all that 's happening in and the! Of Johnny Jump Ups, I walked around and looked at them until,. Be greenish red as long as you know how: keep up to date with all that 's in. 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