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Propagate a Japanese Maple Tree

 


How To Propagate Japanese Maple Trees
Japanese Maple Trees are not easy to propagate. Commercially they are normally grafted on to a strong growing rootstock and there are a couple of reasons for this.

Firstly, many varieties are not strong growing trees and would produce weak trees if grown on their own rootstock. Secondly, growing trees from seed produces variable results in vigour and form.

The best solution for the amateur is to grow Japanese Maple Trees from seed. Sow several seeds and select only the most vigorous seedlings. The best time to sow is when the seed is ripe, normally around the middle of autumn. The seed pod will have begun to go slightly crispy. Sow the seeds on the same day as they collected because acer seeds do not keep well. Remove the seed from the seed pod and place in a pot of normal potting compost. Cover with about 2cm (half an inch) of compost and water well.

Over winter the pots in a cold frame or in a position that will not suffer from hard frosts. The seedlings should emerge in mid spring the next year. When the roots start to appear at the bottom of the pot, transfer to a larger pot. When the trees are about 30cm (12in) high they can be transplanted to their final positions.

Pest and Diseases of Japanese Maple Trees
Japanese Maple Trees are not attacked by pest or disease unless the conditions they are growing in are unsuitable. So plant them where they will be protected from the sun at the hottest parts of the day. Ensure they are not waterlogged, especially in winter. Make sure they receive a fairly constant source of moisture throughout the summer.

Weak trees can be attacked by aphids or botryitis. Click on the links for how to treat these pest but be sure to correct the conditions which have lead to the attack.

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Name: jim@GardenAction
E-mail: webmaster@gardenaction.co.uk
Date posted: December 20, 2011 - 04:37 am
Message: Acers are rarely affected by disease. It may be growing conditions like wind, watering or low temperatures.


Name: Dave Corbett
E-mail: dave@corbettd.freeserve.co.uk
Date posted: December 18, 2011 - 04:28 pm
Message: I have a acer palmatum osakazuki that appears to be dying from the top down. The main trunk has turned white and it is travelling down towards the roots. It is only about 2 years and is planted in a very large pot with plenty of room for the roots. I cannot see any signs of obvious insect attack but if it is from within I wouldn't see it anyway. Hope you can help.


Name: jim@GardenAction
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 06, 2011 - 06:31 pm
Message: Hello Chris
Some good advice on the top of the page "Re-pot Japanese Maple". I suggest that you use a bigger pot to reflect the growth of the plant.


Name: Chris Firby
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 06, 2011 - 04:26 pm
Message: I have serveral japanese mapel's in containers. I want to repot into the same containers. Can I reduce the root ball and add new soil to refresh the plants and if so what time of year should I do this??


Name: john holland
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 02, 2011 - 08:01 am
Message: My acer has white ends to branches that appear dead i have it in a pot at the front of the house


Name: jim@GardenAction
E-mail: w
Date posted: October 17, 2011 - 09:41 pm
Message: My condolences.
There are many varieties that remain green until autumn is well advanced. They do not normally suffer from disease unless stressed. Red leaved varieties do need more sun, yours may be in a shady place. Wait and see what happens.


Name: Robert
E-mail: robertmzube@bellsouth.net
Date posted: October 17, 2011 - 10:34 am
Message: This year 2011 in Crofton Ky. my japanese maple remained green and it is the 17th of Oct. It does not have any of the brilliant red colors I bought it for ,My wife of 53 years claimed it as hers every since I bought it.She passed away to that damned cancer last year and I would like to make sure it remains healthy with me til I meet her again.I do not know what to do with this tree,It is at least 3 or 4 yrs old now....Thank you


Name: Neal Lovvorn
E-mail: lovvornltd@yahoo.com
Date posted: October 12, 2011 - 03:31 pm
Message: Jap maple seedling problem!!!!
I bought jap maple seeds of various varieties that I stratified in the spring for use in my landscape business. First batch of 300 did not germinate as I have read they can take up to years to germintate after stratification. So I put them in a pot outside in seed starting medium thinking another round of stratification this winter would do the trick. Over the last month these guys are germinating and I have about 100 under lights in my garage and more sprouting every week. Can I grow them over the winter with the right temp, humity and lighting in my garage? Or can I put them outside in a cold frame they are only about 3" tall. Please help!


Name: mary reardon
E-mail: mary.reardon@btinternet.com
Date posted: October 03, 2011 - 11:18 am
Message: I have 3 japanese maples. The dissectum purpurea always starts wonderfully but about July the leaves start go dry. The green palmatum has always been o.k. but this year all the leaves have shrivelled. the bloodgood is not marvellous but has held on. I have watered regularly - could it be the soil? The position is ok but my soil is light. They were fine in clay soil.


Name: Tom Graz
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 23, 2011 - 09:45 am
Message: I have been pondering over your site and looking for a maple leaf (japanese) that has 7 fingers per leaf. I was told it was a Japanese maple tree and i have had it for five years. Now it's time to move it because it is getting to crowded where it is planted now can you help. dont want to loose the beauty. thanks Tom G can u help PLEASE


Name: Barrett Kolton
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 22, 2011 - 11:00 am
Message: I have same problem as people have stated below - leaves turned brown suddenly, curled, and started falling off. My tree is about 20 years old, and has never had a similar problem. What do you recommend? Barry Kolton


Name: Carol Defalco
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 31, 2011 - 07:36 pm
Message: My Japanese Maple Tree leaves have been
drying out and falling off as it does
in the fall. This as not happened before in the Summer. What could be the problem? I am in New Jersey and July has been expectionally hot this year.


Name: Janice
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 31, 2011 - 03:08 pm
Message: I bought a Japanese Red Maple tree in February. I planted it in a large pot, recently the leaves have all curled up and look dried out. I have taken great care of it watering it frequently, but no too much. What is wrong with it?


Name: gary
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 31, 2011 - 02:25 pm
Message: i have a maple tree 8 years old been ok every year this year leaves came on as normal until about three weeks ago then lost al leaves branches seem very brittle


Name: Greg
E-mail: greg.pappas909@gmail.com
Date posted: July 22, 2011 - 09:37 pm
Message: It looks like the leaves on our Japanese Maple are drying out but it seems to proper water. What I'm I doing wrong??


Name: Valerie
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 19, 2011 - 07:09 pm
Message: I have a Japanese yellow green acer tree and the new growth on the top is turning brown around the edges of the leaves ... I would appreciate your advice and thank you in advance ...


Name: loraine
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 17, 2011 - 10:09 am
Message: japanese maple the leafes on the top have gone brown what am i doing wrong


Name: Beverly Westberry
E-mail: Private
Date posted: June 10, 2011 - 06:31 pm
Message: 8 yrs ago I received a Japanese Maple tree as a retirement gift.After one especially hard winter it no longer leafed with red but green leaves.that was OK as well. suddently this year the leaves are small and beginning to curl they almost appear dry...what is the problem what can I do to save my tree. I live in Sylva, NC


Name: Albert
E-mail: Private
Date posted: May 30, 2011 - 12:47 pm
Message: My red Japanese Maple sits in the sun in 90 degree weather. Overnight the leaves shriveled up after looking healthy. The tree is two years old and well watered. I sprayed it with antifungal and insect spray. Is there any thing else that I can do?


Name: kk
E-mail: Private
Date posted: May 25, 2011 - 12:44 pm
Message: my japanses maple has 1 small branch that has budded and sprouted leaves near the bottom all the other branches are bare with no buds the trunk has tiny new sprouts. do i trim it now or later or what do I do? my other one is just fine.