The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) or, as it is sometimes called in the specialist trade, "Japanese maple" can be propagated easily and cheaply from cuttings - provided you follow our instructions regarding planting and caring for the young offshoots. Above all, make sure that you only cut offspring from healthy and strong trees. Since you are creating clones of the mother plant in vegetative propagation, they also inherit all of the characteristics of the adult tree.
The offshoots of the Japanese maple are cut in June
Cut cuttings in early summer
Ideally, between the end of May and the end of June, cut off young, not yet (or only slightly) woody shoots from the tree to be propagated. These should be between 10 and 15 centimeters long. Since the offshoots that have not yet been rooted will have difficulty absorbing water, you should limit the number of leaves to a maximum of two to three small leaves and also remove all flowers and buds. In addition, the cut surface is kept at a slight angle to facilitate water absorption.
- Place the cuttings in potting soil or in fine lava granules.(13.99€)
- Alternatively, you can also mix high-quality potting soil with sand and clay granules.
- Dip the cutting site in a rooting hormone.
- Place the plant pots in a light and warm location,
- but without direct sunlight.
- Ensure high humidity
- and keep the substrate slightly moist.
The first roots will form in about eight weeks.
Plant young Japanese maples
The young Japanese maples should initially be cultivated in pots and overwintered indoors in the first winter at frost-free temperatures of up to a maximum of 12 degrees Celsius. Planting out takes place in the following spring, but only after the ice saints. After rooting, you can carefully fertilize the young plants or transfer them to a suitable plant substrate and a larger pot.
tips
Place the rooted cuttings outside for a few hours on warm days, if possible not in direct sunlight. Before planting out, the trees should also be hardened off and thus accustomed to life outdoors.