Growing and propagating Japanese maple at home. We grow maple bonsai at home: choose blue, blue or red tree color

Japanese maples in tubs and at home

Japanese maple - perennial ornamental plant(small tree or shrub) growing in southern countries V open ground. In autumn, maple leaves acquire pink, purple, burgundy shades and combinations thereof. Decorative varieties rarely grow more than three meters in height.

Japanese maple. Planting and care

Japanese maple prefers acidic soil. For normal tree growth, it needs to be fertilized once a year (late spring - early summer). Japanese maple loves watering. In summer it needs to be watered once a week, in winter - once every 4 weeks. If there is a lack of water, the tree grows very slowly.

Japanese maple - propagation

Do you want to grow maple on your property? First, decide which variety you want to grow. How you plant it depends on this. A number of varieties are grown from seeds, others from cuttings and graftings.

Before landing, seeds Japanese maple are kept in damp sand in the refrigerator for 4 months.In mid-spring, the germinated seeds are planted in soil with sand and pre-fertilized with humus. Next, water thoroughly. The distance between holes is at least one and a half meters.

Cuttings Japanese maple occurs as follows: a stalk with two or three leaves is cut off at summer period and rooted in the ground. Living in areas with a predominantly continental climate, you will have to keep Japanese maple (and especially fan maple) in tubs.

Fan maples grow small and therefore grow well in pots, which are displayed outdoors in the warm season. During the cold season, trees growing in tubs should be kept in a cool, dry room, and during the dry season the tub should be moved to a semi-shaded area. Even though the Japanese maple loves the sun, it must be protected from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves.

When keeping Japanese maple indoors, you should control the humidity and air temperature - avoid dry air and heat. Equally important is the level of soil moisture. For normal growth of a tree in a tub, it needs to be watered daily in the morning.

Caring for maple in a tub

Japanese maple, like other plants of Japanese origin, needs wintering in cool and high humidity. Balconies or loggias are suitable for this; in case of frost, cover the tree with some kind of cloth. Remember, maple can withstand negative temperatures, but dry air is contraindicated for him.

The crown of the Japanese maple is formed by pruning the branches. This process should be done in the fall. When growing Japanese maples in pots, you need to feed the plants once a year. mineral fertilizers, otherwise the plant may die.Japanese maple tolerates replanting easily. Maple has a small root system. Replanting (replacing with a larger pot) should be done every 3-4 years.

Japanese maple. Varieties and varieties

Japanese maple has a number of varieties that differ greatly beautiful leaves: - actually the Japanese maple itself. Has picturesque carved leaves bright color (from green to dark cherry);

Fan maple has a lot of varieties - “Bloodgood” with a very dark leaves, "Beni Kava" with light leaves, "Katsura", "Osakazuki", "Nicholsonii" - all these varieties have excellent decorative qualities.

Japanese maple. Diseases

The scourge of Japanese maple is fungal infections, among which are the following:

verticillium wilt – on young maple plants (whose wood has not yet matured), the leaves begin to curl, then the branches dry out;
black bark mold – the disease occurs due to insufficient watering. In this case, the plant dies.
In some cases, the Japanese maple can get sickpowdery mildew.

If such diseases are detected in spring period All affected branches should be urgently removed (to healthy areas), and after each cut, disinfect the tool.In a later period, when signs of the disease are detected, the plants are treated with sulfur-containing preparations.

For normal ventilation of the tree, you need to regularly trim it and thin out the crown. Do not overuse nitrogen-containing fertilizers - nitrogen weakens trees and promotes the proliferation of aphids. Japanese maples are very picturesque, and therefore all the effort spent on growing and maintaining trees is completely justified.

Saying “Japanese maples” usually means two types of trees from the maple family, or Aceraceae. The genus name comes from the Latin word “acer”, meaning “sharp”. The leaves of most maple species have sharp edges.

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a slow-growing shrub that can decorate both small and large gardens. He is miniature and tolerates haircuts well. This means that the size of the shrub can be maintained at a very modest level for many years. Gardeners in the southern regions are lucky - this maple grows without problems in warm regions. IN middle lane palmate maple can only be grown in a container, brought in in late autumn winter Garden or other cool room.

Japanese maple (Acer japonicum) is no less capricious in relation to Russian winters. IN natural conditions This is not a large tree, but in cultivation it reaches 8-10 m in height. The branches are reddish-ashy. The bark is gray, smooth, and does not crack.

For those who are fascinated by the beauty of Japanese maples, but frightened by their fastidiousness to the Russian climate, you can recommend other scarlet beauties.

Manchurian maple (Acer mandshuricum) is native to the Far Eastern forests of Russia. The very first of the “autumn” ones is painted in bright red tones. It reaches a height of 20 m.

Red maple, or swamp (Acer Rubrum) originally from Canada. Winter-hardy, reaches up to 30 m in height. The free-growing tree has an ash-gray tent-shaped crown. The foliage turns bright red with a crimson, pink tint.

Japanese.

Japanese maples

We are accustomed to seeing in parks and forests a typical example of vegetation of European latitudes. The description of a tree such as Japanese maple is somewhat different from the usual one. Here the name speaks for itself; the plant really comes from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Did you know? Japanese maple is still found in the territory Russian Federation- in the Sakhalin region, but extremely rarely. It is for this reason that the plant is listed in the Red Book of Russia.

The blooming guest from Japan looks very beautiful. The inflorescences are bright, violet-red in color. They appear in April.

Thanks to its “design”, the plant looks impressive even in winter.

Popular types and varieties

Under the term "Japanese maple" Usually there are three types of wood in mind: fan, Shirasawa and directly Japanese. Their differences are not so significant, but they are extremely important for choosing the “right” plant in gardening.

The legendary fan or palm maple got its name due to the special structure of its leaves, which can become the “highlight” of any park. It is shaped like an open palm or a lacy fan and turns bright scarlet in June. The height of the palm-shaped tree does not exceed two meters.
TO this species include many plant varieties, but The following were the most popular:

Not the most common, but attracting admiring glances Shirasawa maple has a huge color scheme: bright yellow to burgundy red. Unlike other species, it can grow quite large sizes: up to 15 m high and a trunk up to 60 cm in diameter.
The Japanese maple and its variety “Dissectum Nigrum” are very popular, the black and red foliage of which harmonizes wonderfully with the green lawns of many landscapes.

Wise selection of seedlings

Since the plant is quite expensive, you need to be careful when choosing seedlings. Decide on the variety of Japanese maple: if you have a large area for cultivation, then you can safely choose large trees (for example, Shirasawa maple); in case of a limited area, it is better to buy shrubs.

Seedling recommended to buy in a container, since in this case the landing and further care behind Japanese maple will be easier and safer. In addition, the probability that the tree will take root is higher, since it will be in its “native” soil and its root system will not be damaged during planting.

Important! The plant seedling must be “young”; a tree up to one year old is ideal for planting.

You should buy maple in a special store. It should have a fresh, healthy appearance, without limp leaves or any damage.

Where to plant

Many people are afraid to purchase a representative of the Japanese flora, considering this plant capricious and unsuitable for our latitudes. This is not true; growing Japanese red maple at home is possible, but there are still some nuances when choosing a planting site.
First, you should choose a location where the soil will be sufficiently moist. On the other hand, make sure that there is not a large amount of stagnant moisture, the plant does not like this.

Secondly, your handsome man will feel best in in a cozy and sheltered place from the wind. It is not particularly afraid of drafts, but it will still grow much faster in a quiet corner.

Towards lighting special requirements No. Of course, it is better not to plant in a completely dark place. Remember that the natural processes of photosynthesis require light. In addition to this, the varied colors of the maple will look brighter.

And lastly, do not forget about the “neighbors” of this beautiful plant. It is not recommended to plant other large ones nearby. This will “steal” light from the maple, and the area will be overloaded, the maple will get lost between large branches. In addition, the crown must have enough space for growth and development. The most profitable option would be flowers next to the Japanese maple. They look good, and...

Landing rules

Planting a Japanese maple is an easy process, so there should not be any particular difficulties. The main thing is to provide the tree good conditions, as close as possible to his native latitudes.

Soil preparation

As noted earlier, maple loves moisture, but not “standing water”. That is why experienced gardeners It is advised to take care of its root system (small, screenings). the seedling stands often, but not too abundantly.

Almost any is suitable; for trees, a high content is natural. The only exception is that it is too alkaline. There must be soil. When planting, it is recommended to feed it.

Circuit and technology

The technology for growing a tree is simple. It includes two stages, in the case of growing Japanese maple from seeds.
Seeds are germinated as usual. They are soaked for 2–3 hours. After this, choose a seed with a diameter of 10–15 cm and a height of 10–20 cm. Small holes are made in the soil, the seeds are laid out separately from each other to a depth of 4–5 cm and sprinkled with a layer of soil. Then lightly moisten and place in a warm place where there is no direct rays. For greenhouse effect It is better to cover the container and let the seedlings “breathe” once a day.

When the maple tree sprouts and leaves begin to appear on it, it can be planted in a permanent place.

The scheme is as follows:

A hole is made up to 30 cm deep.
Sand and drainage (4–5 cm thick) are placed at the bottom of the recess.
The soil is moistened.
The tree is carefully removed from the container and placed in the hole.
Sprinkle with earth mixed with.
Water the seedling and spray the leaves with a small amount of water.

After some time, it will be possible to propagate the maple with fresh seeds. Vegetative propagation almost not practiced because it is ineffective.

Features of caring for Japanese maple

Caring for a Japanese cat is important. It includes regular watering, fertilizing and, if desired, creating the shape of the crown - branches in the first years of the plant's life.

Soil care and watering

The frequency and need depends on the climatic conditions of the area and the moisture content of the soil itself. On average, leave the soil in a day or two, making sure there is enough water. Usually, in hot weather, maple requires not only more abundant water, but also its foliage. During the rainy season, additional moisture should not be given. If you don't pay attention to the tree, the leaves may begin to dry out or even fall off.

And they are still producing. It involves sprinkling the soil around the tree with bark. This protects against drying out of the root system in summer and freezing in winter.

Many types of maples look very decorative in the garden, especially in the fall, when their foliage turns bright red, yellow-orange, and carmine tones. Perhaps, Japanese maples look the most impressive; they immediately attract the eye with their color and carved foliage and the intricately curved shape of the crown.

Japanese maples are the common collective name for several species of maples, which are native to the forests of Japan and Korea. These include: actually Japanese maple, fan maple(palm-shaped) and Shirasawa maple .

Acer japonicum Aconitifolium in autumn Japanese maple Aconitifolium summer color

Japanese maple (Acer japonicum) has insufficient frost resistance, and therefore it can only be grown in the south or as a tub plant. It is very beautiful, has deeply dissected graceful leaves and complex colors from green to cherry and burgundy.

Very beautiful and looks unusual in our gardens Japanese maple aconitifolia (‘Aconitifolium ‘). Its foliage, cut to the base, is green in summer and changes color to blood red in autumn.

Vine-leaved Japanese maple (‘Vitifolium’) was so named due to the shape of its leaf, it resembles a grape leaf. They are weakly dissected and end with several points. In summer this species is also green, and in autumn it takes on a crimson outfit.

Acer Japonicum Vitifolium autumn outfit

The rarest Shirasawa Maple (Acer shirasawanum)

short, height up to 1.5 meters. Shallowly dissected foliage is characterized by a large plate width. Classic varieties have yellow and orange leaves, the ‘Aureum’ form has an original border along the edge of the leaf blade. The leaves of this variety remain golden all summer, and in the fall they acquire a bright orange hue. Shirasawa maple 'Aureum' is a winter-hardy shrub, reaching a height of up to 4 m. It prefers a sunny place or partial shade, and loose, not too wet soil. It is so decorative that it is most often used as a tapeworm in the garden, and the small size of most varieties allows them to be grown as pot plants on a balcony or terrace.

Fan maple (Acer palmatum). To date it has been released a large number of varieties of this maple, they are all different small in size bush, exquisite crown shape and magnificent autumn foliage color.

Acer palmatum Orange Dream

Almost all Japanese maples that can be purchased from us are varietal, fan maple hybrids by origin. Actually, Japanese maples and Shirasawa maples are much less common and, as a rule, are inferior to cultivated forms of fan maple in the ability to choose different colors and forms of cultivation.

Maple ‘Orange Dream‘ has greenish-yellow leaves with a red edge; in autumn the foliage turns orange-red. This is a tall, fast-growing variety; within ten years it reaches a height of up to 10 meters.

Maple ‘Shaina‘ is a new dwarf variety, reaching only 1.5 m in height within 10 years, with a dense, bushy crown and deeply dissected leaves. The maple tree looks especially elegant in the fall, when its leaves take on a carmine-red hue. ‘Shaina’ is excellent for planting in containers.

A new variety maple ‘Shirazz‘ , originating from New Zealand, takes its name from Australia's most common grape variety, Shirazz. Its deeply dissected leaves demonstrate a unique play of colors: young green leaves are bordered by a thin pale pink, sometimes blood-red stripe. And in autumn all the foliage turns bright red. The plant, reaching up to 2 meters in height at maturity, forms a beautiful branched crown.

Unusual maple ‘Wilson's Pink Dwarf‘ . In spring, its filigree foliage the color of flamingo pink attracts attention. In autumn, the leaves turn bright colors: from light orange to red. This is a slow growing tree with a dense crown, reaching a height of only 1.40 m after ten years. ‘Wilson's Pink Dwarf‘ Great for planting in containers.

Slow-growing maples with dissected leaves add a special charm to the garden. green(variety Dissectum‘ ) And dark red(variety ‘Dissectum Garnet‘ ) coloring. Their finely dissected leaves turn yellowish-red and dark purple in autumn. The old ones ornamental trees with hanging shoots, the width of the crown is sometimes twice as large as the height. Maples with dissected leaves should not be hidden in the garden; they should be given a prominent place, for example, in a sitting area near a bench, near a stream or on the bank of a pond.

Openwork dark red ‘ Bloodgood ‘ is a tree-like shrub with a broadly spherical crown and feathery leaves, with a delightful inky-black hue of leaves and bright fruits, capable of displaying unusual dark colors even in the shade. Crown height and width up to 4 m.

Variety ‘ Beni Kawa' with light leaves and a very bright red tint to the bark.

Caring for Japanese Maples

In order to successfully grow these beauties in the garden, you need to adhere to several rules:

From own experience I can only say one thing: the “Japanese” are more unpretentious and winter-hardy than is commonly believed, and in the right place they successfully winter even at the latitude of St. Petersburg!

Japanese maples in garden design

Japanese maples have a very wide range of uses and can decorate not only Asian-style gardens. Vigorous varieties with an umbrella-shaped crown reach a height of 4 to 5 meters at maturity, so they can be used in the garden as tapeworms. Old specimens of Japanese maple provide excellent shade on walking paths and recreation areas.

The decorative quality of maples lies in the amazing beauty of the details with the overall nobility and sophistication of silhouettes and shapes. After all, the contours of the maple, its shapes lush crown and the graceful curves of the branches are no less filigree than the carved leaves. The lines of this plant are an impeccable example of picturesqueness, built on the harmony of naturalness and effectiveness. Japanese maples have a tiered or translucent crown, lush and lacy and almost weightless at the same time. And all the beauty of the mass of foliage only emphasizes the decorative nature of each individual leaf, divided into graceful pointed lobes.

One of the typical landscapes of the land of the rising sun is a quiet and secluded corner for relaxation under the shade of a maple tree, the beauty of which is “supported” by pillows blooming chrysanthemums. A laconic, discreet, but surprisingly picturesque duo today remains an ideal example of the selection of classic companions for the design of any garden. Ferns, Volzhanka, shady sedge and rhododendrons also look very good under Japanese maples (especially deciduous varieties, which also explode in the fall with bright fireworks of leaf transformation). Excellent companions of the Japanese maple are bamboo, funkia, azalea and other Asian garden plants. A very interesting combination would be Japanese maple with viburnum bodnantense variety ‘Dawn’ (Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’), or with Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis). Under maples with a translucent crown, you can plant all not too tall and powerful ornamental perennials and herbs suitable for planting in partial shade. But you can always limit yourself to a minimalist design: decorative stone chips in the tree trunk area and balancing the crown with one or two plants or large boulders around the perimeter.

In the garden you can create fantastic and simply fabulous pictures by combining in small groups fast and slow growing varieties of maples with different autumn foliage colors. Against the background of evergreens, for example, a hedge of cherry laurel or yew, the brightness and richness of the colors are enhanced. Red-leaf maples typically turn a carmine-red hue in the fall, while green-leaf maples range from golden yellow to orange-red.

The root system of Japanese maples, unlike domestic species, is weakly branched, with a small number of thin hair-like roots, so plants planted under them receive enough water and nutrients.

For bonsai connoisseurs, maple, sakura and mountain pine are real symbols of this ancient art. But if evergreen pine needles make the tree’s appearance unchanged throughout the year, sakura is especially attractive in the spring, during flowering, then maple is a bright palette of autumn with unusual openwork foliage.

Maples are distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. Bonsai culture is traditionally dominated by Far Eastern, Chinese and Japanese varieties, but the growing popularity of this area of plant growing has made it possible to include varieties from Europe, the Caucasus and the North American continent in the list of species.

Types of maple for growing bonsai

Particularly valued are plants with small foliage and short internodes, which allow you to create miniatures that are unique in shape and harmonious, natural in appearance.

Among the species suitable for growing bonsai are Japanese and Norway maples, Montpelian, field and rock maples. Palm maple trees with intricately cut leaf blades are in particular demand. The leaves of this species remain red, contrastingly edged, light yellow or purple not only in autumn, but throughout the year. This species should not be confused with the red maple, also grown as a bonsai. Its five-fingered leaves gradually change their appearance and the appearance of the crown as a whole in autumn. From the USA and Canada, the ash-leaf maple, which is easy to shape, unpretentious and also has varieties with variegated or silver foliage, has come into the sphere of interest of bonsai connoisseurs.

It is not surprising that small trees with red, yellow or any other bright foliage are most attractive to gardeners. Therefore, unscrupulous sellers often “play” on this by offering blue maple seeds for bonsai. There is no need to believe empty promises. If shoots appear from such seeds, best case scenario they will turn out to be ordinary maples with green leaves. Although it is impossible to grow a blue maple, bonsai with purple, carmine, red or orange leaves are a reality.

There are many examples of varieties used for red maple bonsai, however, due to the low chlorophyll content that supports the nutrition of the tree, such plants are weaker than their green counterparts and require special attention.

Decorative forms often suffer from sunburn, frost and cold wind, and their brightness directly depends on the choice of location. In the shade, red, burgundy and crimson shades may disappear.

Another highlight of the Japanese maple bonsai is plants with strongly dissected leaves reminiscent of palm branches. These types look great in cascading, flowing compositions, but are not suitable for beginners due to their rather capricious nature and soreness.

And here dwarf varieties maple trees in bonsai are unpretentious and seem to help a person with their formation. They do not tend to grow upward, but form a dense crown covered with small foliage that preserves its natural appearance.

Conditions for growing maple bonsai

Maples feel good in central Russia, but in bonsai form this tree suffers more from external influences and needs to carefully choose a place of residence.

The most common maples in bonsai, palmate and fan maples, can become sick and experience growth difficulties:

under straight lines sun rays, especially in the southern regions;
in the wind or drafts;
in dense shade.

However, if we are talking about a choice between light and shadow, it is better to expose the pot to the sun, which in the central part of the country will not cause serious harm. In the sun the tree forms more small leaves, which allows you to avoid removing buds and not weaken the plant. In addition, the colors of foliage in full sun are brighter and more attractive.

If in the summer, as in the photo, a maple bonsai is placed on open air, it must be protected from the wind, otherwise a plant with a trimmed root system risks losing its balance and falling out of the shallow pot.

Maples, both in nature and at home at low temperatures, do not tolerate excessive air humidity and insufficient air flow fresh air. Under such conditions, bonsai is affected by harmful fungi that cause powdery mildew and anthracnose.

Watering is a mandatory and very important part of caring for a maple bonsai. In summer, the intensity and frequency are increased, and if necessary, careful sprinkling is used. In winter, when the leaves fall and the plant goes into hibernation, the need for moisture drops sharply.

In the spring, when the maple awakens, it is fed, and the presence of iron in the mixture is important for the maple. This is also taken into account when preparing the substrate. The soil for maple bonsai should be nutritious, aerated, with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. In addition to traditional components, a clay substrate for bonsai is added to the soil, which provides anchorage for the root system and structures the earth mixture.

Replanting and replacing the container when growing maple bonsai coincides with pruning the roots, which is carried out every 2-3 years. In parallel with the formation, dead or damaged rhizomes and lumps of adhering soil are removed.

Propagation of maple for bonsai

All types of this plant are easily propagated by cuttings and rooted layering. Seeds, which should be stratified before sowing, are also suitable for growing maple bonsai.

To do this, the seed is dropped into damp sphagnum, sand or sand, after which the container with the seeds is sent to the refrigerator. To prepare palm maple seeds, for example, 3–4 months in the vegetable compartment is sufficient. When warmed, the shell will certainly open, and friendly shoots will appear.

Hatched maple seeds for bonsai are transferred to a sand-peat mixture or planted in well-moistened peat tablets. In a greenhouse in the light, but not in the direct rays of the sun, the plant produces a pair of true leaves within a month.

When their number reaches 4-5, it is time to transfer the young maples into their own pots and begin forming a bonsai.

Techniques for forming a maple bonsai crown

How to grow a maple bonsai without pruning and pinching the crown? This is impossible. These techniques, along with the formation of stems using wire, are an integral part of the ancient art.

Branches are pruned when up to five pairs of full-fledged leaves open on the shoot. Usually shortened by 2–4 leaves, with large ones plucked out separately sheet plates, leaving their cuttings.

Over time, the cutting will wither and fall off, but too large leaves will be replaced by small ones, more appropriate for bonsai. In mid-summer, healthy trees with green foliage are defoliated or plucked out the growth buds, which will lead to:

to growth retardation;
to the gradual formation of shorter shoots;
to increase crown density.

This operation is not performed on red maples for bonsai because it can weaken the already sensitive plant.

It is better to carry out all procedures related to pruning not in the spring, when sap flow is active, but in the summer or autumn. The same applies artificial aging maples grown for bonsai. In the second half or at the end of the growing season, the wounds heal better and the tree recovers better.