Contents
How and how much to water
There are many varieties of Japanese maple, and growing them is not difficult. However, it is important that the bush receives constant and continuous care. Japanese maples, especially in summer, should be watered daily, without wetting the tops of the foliage. Avoid watering the plant during the hottest hours. Some shrubs can be grown in pots, especially if they have been grown this way from a young age, although it is advisable to plant them in the ground. In pots, on the other hand, care must be taken to ensure that the space is wide enough, as well as good drainage, with the help of sand. In this last solution it is necessary that the plant is watered more frequently, and to make sure that the ground remains humid.
how to grow it
This beautifully colored plant likes light, moist, well-drained soil. An exposure in the northeast zone of any garden is ideal. The Japanese maple should be placed in a location with sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. The cultivation is done both in the ground and in pots, in the latter case it would be advisable to transplant the plant when it is still small. Bushes are best planted in the ground, properly worked and prepared before placing the plants. Holes intended for plants should be fertilized with peat and organic soil. Plant collars should be left above ground and covered with bark or mulch to protect the roots.
Fertilization
To fertilize this beautifully colored plant, it is good to use organic matter and manure in the last days of autumn, while chemical fertilizers are used in spring or later. It is not necessary to use products with a high nitrogen content, especially in summer and autumn, so as not to favor late germination, which would not have time to lignify before the arrival of the cold months. . Also, if the Japanese maple is over-fertilized, the branches will be bushier and more vigorous, but the leaves will not change color and will remain green. It is therefore advisable, in case of doubt, to contact specialized centers and not to rely on “do it yourself”. We remind you that it is very important to follow very precise rules in the cultivation of Japanese maples and to prepare the right place for them.
Japanese maple can suffer from leaf scorch if placed in areas that are too hot and sunny. Let’s place the plant in the northeastern parts of the garden and, if we pot it, put it under shelters or trees. Even bad weather and sudden changes in temperature can damage this shrub whose roots must be protected with bark and mulch in winter. We do not abuse the fertilization so as not to endanger the health of the plant and we remove, in the area where it is, the grass and the earth. Watering should also be subject to appropriate rules, such as not wetting the upper foliage of the bush and avoiding stagnation of water, especially in pots. Finally, we pay attention to mites and parasites, to be treated with suitable products.