How to care for a Japanese maple

The Japanese maple is a very pretty plant. It has leaves that change color in spring, summer and / or autumn, and a very elegant glass. It is well loved in gardens, and also in the world of bonsai. It tolerates pruning, and it resists frost very well, although late frosts can harm it if it has begun to sprout. Even with a lot of care it can give joy to those of us who are in the Mediterranean region, areas where summer temperatures put its survival to the test.

But How to care for a japanese maple? Whether you want to have it in a pot or in the garden, it is important to take the necessary measures so that it can grow as well as possible, since otherwise it will not be well.

In what climates can it grow?

The climate is what will determine if our Japanese maple will be able to grow well, with difficulty or simply will not be able to live long. Therefore, it is very important that we bear in mind that this plant lives in places where the climate is temperate, with high humidity, mild temperatures in summer (with maximums of 35ºC at most) and cold in winter.

It can withstand frosts down to -23ºC, and of course snowfalls, but as we said at the beginning: if they occur in spring, the leaves that have begun to sprout will burn.

Its habitat is the mountainous regions of Japan, China and Korea, which is why if it is kept at low altitudes it has a hard time. In the Mediterranean, where the degree of insolation is high, it must always be kept in the shadethroughout the year, even if it is a cultivar that in other areas can resist direct sun such as »Beni Maiko».

And if you have it in an area where the humidity is very low, you will have to spray its leaves with acidic water (with a low pH, between 4 and 6) on a daily basis.

Sun or shade?

Since it is a plant that has to be grown outdoors, you may wonder if it should be in the sun or in the shade. The answer is that the most convenient thing is that you put it in the shade (but very clearly) because even cultivars that are somewhat resistant to the sun, such as »Seyriu», grow without problems in areas where the sun’s rays do not reach directly.

This is more important if possible if you are in the Mediterranean or in an area where the degree of insolation is very high, since in these regions its leaves burn quickly if it is not protected.

What type of soil do you need?

The Japanese maple is a plant that needs acidic soil, with a pH between 4 and 6. When grown in lands with a higher pH, the leaves become chlorotic, meaning they lose chlorophyll and turn yellow. In your case, it is because iron, although it may be present, is inaccessible as it is blocked. Therefore, to prevent it from running out of leaves it is convenient to make sure that the soil in which we want to plant it has the appropriate pH, for example with the help of a meter such as this.

But also the earth must be light so that the roots can grow without difficulty. And it is that when it is planted in compact soils the growth rate becomes much slower; And that is not to mention that the risk of rotting increases considerably, as the land takes longer to dry out.

When the garden soil is not adequate, it is best to plant it in a pot with a substrate for acidic plantsAs this. But yes, if you live in an area with a Mediterranean climate, from my own experience I recommend using coconut fiber as it makes it easier to get out of the water and, in addition, it stays humid longer than other substrates such as akadama.

How often to water the Japanese maple?

You have to water it in moderation. It is not a tree that needs water as often as a cane of Indians does, for example, but it is necessary to prevent the soil from drying out. In summer we have to be very vigilant, especially during heat waves, since that is when it needs the most water and when the land dries up the fastest. Thus, we will water an average of three or even four times a week during the summer season. The rest of the year, as temperatures are lower, it will be done once or twice a week except if it rains, in which case it will not be necessary to water.

Rainwater will be used whenever possible, or water with a pH between 4 and 6. If you are not sure if the pH of the water is adequate, you can check it with the help of a meter such as this, and if you see that it is very high, one way to reduce it is by adding a few drops of lemon or vinegar. So that it doesn’t go too low, check every time you put in those drops. When you are done, stir well, and water.

How to water the Japanese maple? Wetting the earth. You have to pour water until it is well soaked; This way you make sure that all its roots can rehydrate and that, therefore, the rest of the plant does too.

When to pay it?

The season of fertilizing the Japanese maple starts in spring and ends in late summer. If it is in the ground, it can be fertilized with powdered fertilizers, such as earthworm humus (on sale here!) or the manure of herbivorous animals. On the other hand, if it is in a pot, it will be preferable to use fertilizers or liquid fertilizers, such as the fertilizer for acid plants that you can buy here!the this which is rich in guano. The manufacturer’s instructions must be followed so that no problems arise.

It is a plant that needs many nutrients. For this reason, it cannot be planted in poor soils and / or those prone to erosion, as it would not survive.

How to prune the Japanese maple?

It is not a plant that has to be pruned frequently, but if you want to do it, it will be done at the end of winterwhen the yolks are awakening. Branches or parts of branches that are dry or broken will be eliminated, and the length of those that are growing too much will be reduced.

To do this, you must use appropriate pruning tools, such as anvil scissors, which will have been disinfected with soap and water before and after use.

Is it to be protected?

Not really, except if:

• There are late frosts: if in your area there is frost in spring, during this season it will be advisable to put a padding on it, or even protect it with an anti-frost fabric such as this if it starts to sprout. Remember to take it off as soon as the temperatures recover.
• Summer is too hot: if in summer the temperatures exceed 30ºC you have to put it in the shade, in a place where it is also a little protected from the wind.

What are the pests and diseases that can affect you?

It’s very tough. In fact, it is a bit difficult for it to be affected by any pest or have any disease. But on some occasions, when the weather is very hot and dry, the cottony mealybugs and aphids they can hurt you. The former have the appearance of a cotton ball, and adhere to the underside of the leaves and on the tender stems to feed on the sap; the latter are half a centimeter long, can be green, yellow, or black, and they also hide behind the leaves to suck the sap.

But it is not something that we should worry too much: both pests can be easily eliminated with ecological insecticides, such as diatomaceous earth that you can buy here!, and which we talk about in this video:

As for the most common diseases, there are those that cause oomycetesLike Phytophthora. These infect the roots, gradually causing the plant to die. There is no cure: the best we can do is plant it in a soil that drains water well, control irrigation, and keep it properly fertilized so that it does not lack anything.

If we suspect that it has received excess water, we will see that the leaves begin to fall for no apparent reason, and that the earth looks very wet. In this case, we will treat with systemic fungicideAs this.

At what time can it be transplanted?

Whether we want to plant it in the ground or in a larger pot, we will do it during the spring. It is important to wait until the risk of frost has passed, otherwise it could weaken a bit. Likewise, when removing it from the container, you must do it carefully, trying not to manipulate the roots.

In the event that we are going to have it in a larger pot, it has to be about 10 centimeters wider and taller than the one it currently has.

Enjoy your Japanese maple.