How To Grow Japanese Maples: Part 2.

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"How to Grow Japanese Maples"
from http://japanese-maple.com
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Here's Part 2. in our mini-course on "How to Grow Japanese Maples". In this part we'll cover the following:

* Planting in the Landscape
- Ground Preparation
- Position: Sun & Shade Requirements
- Soil Type
- Watering & Mulching
- When you get your tree home

Part 2. Planting in the landscape

Japanese maples are an outstanding addition to any
landscape. They can be used as individual specimens,
as a 'feature' in a border or rock garden. Personally,
I love to plant the weeping form on gently sloping
ground to accentuate the natural shape of the tree.

- Ground Preparation:

Japanese maples do need prepared ground before
planting. These trees do not form a long tap root and
are usually quite shallowly rooted with a fibrous
network of mainly surface roots.

Always dig your planting hole slightly larger than the
rootball of the tree. Mix in some compost or chipped
bark to help improve drainage if your soil is heavy.

- Position: Sun & Shade Requirements

Japanese maples will do best in a location where they
are out of the wind and away from the sunniest spot in
your garden. They like morning sun, but prefer to be
in semi-shade during the afternoon.

Planting on the North or East side of a house provides
some additional protection. You can also plant in the
shadow of a larger tree to help shade the maple.

When placing the new tree in the planting hole test the
depth of the hole with the tree/rootball so that the
level of the ground is at the original level of the
ground line of the tree.

- Soil Type

The ideal soil is a slightly acid sandy soil with some
organic matter mixed in. Japanese maples are really very
adaptable and so with a little help from you they will
do well!

You should add in some "acid loving" plant fertilizer to
maintain the right balance.

If you don't know what type of soil you have, you need to
test your soil. It's a simple thing to do and once you
have the results you'll know EXACTLY what key nutrients
your soil is missing or deficient in and you'll be able
to compensate for optimum plant health.

For example, if you discover you have an alkaline soil
don't despair! You should create a raised bed and mix in
lot of peat and acid fertilizer as before.

- Watering & Mulching

The good news about the shallow rooting of Japanese maples is this makes them an ideal companion plant as they don't compete with other plants. The bad news is they do prefer a CONSISTENT level of moisture at the roots.

Try to water frequently to maintain the level of mositure
in the soil. You should add up to 3" of bark or leaf mulch
to help keep moisture levels consistent. This is also needed
in colder locations to provide a thermal barrier and prevent
damage to the shallow roots. Note: make sure the mulch is NOT touching the trunk of the tree as this can lead to rotting and insect damage.

- When you get your tree home

Plants can suffer damage - sometimes fatal - when they are transplanted. Today you can minimize the transplant shock
with a proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals. In our
nursery we mix 15 drops of SuperThrive concentrate in 1 gallon of water and drench the plant/roots before planting.

Next time we'll cover:

* Planting in Containers
- Soil Needs
- Fertilizers and Nutrients
- Pruning & Repotting
- Trees

Happy gardening online and in dirt!

Ken Alston
Commonwealth Plants, LLC
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Ken Alston is a green thumbed British gardener, plant-aholic and nurseryman who provides gardeners and fellow plant-aholics with professional growing tips, techniques, rare plants and seeds.

http://japanese-maple.com
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(c) 2003, 2004 All Rights Reserved, Commonwealth Plants, LLC.