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Many plants are not or only partially suitable for a pot culture and will wither in such a planter. But not the Japanese maple, which also feels very comfortable on the balcony or terrace - provided you follow our proven tips for planting and care.

Due to its slow growth, the Japanese maple also thrives in a bucket on the balcony or terrace

Suitable species for the tub

The Japanese maple is not a homogeneous species, but is a collective term for various maple species from the Far East. In addition to the actual Japanese maple (Acer japonicum), the Japanese fan maple (Acer palmatum) and the golden maple (Acer shirasawanum) are also included in this group. What they all have in common is their small growth, the characteristically pinnate leaves and the intense autumn colors. Basically, all species are suitable for keeping in buckets, but especially the dwarf ones.

Choosing the right vessel

Since the Japanese maple is one of the flat-rooted plants, you should not only choose a bucket that is as large as possible, but also as wide as possible. At best, this is so large that you can leave the slow-growing tree in it for up to five years. As a rule, repotting is only necessary after this time has elapsed. If you want to overwinter your Japanese maple outdoors, also choose a frost-proof container - so that the material does not break apart in the cold season and endanger the tree inside.

It all depends on the drainage

Although the Japanese maple prefers a slightly moist substrate, it cannot cope with waterlogging at all. For this reason, you should pay particular attention to good drainage when planting the newly acquired sapling:

  • Choose a planter with drainage holes at the bottom.
  • These are covered with larger stones/pebbles to avoid silting up.
  • Then there is a layer of clay granules or another material several centimeters thick.
  • The larger the pot, the thicker this layer.
  • Then fill a nutrient-rich and permeable substrate,
  • which ideally consists of a soil-sand mixture.

There should never be standing water in the coaster, this should always be removed.

Proper care of the bucket maple

The following rules apply to the care of the bucket maple:

  • Choose a location suitable for the chosen variety.
  • This should also be protected from the wind on the balcony as much as possible.
  • Water regularly but moderately.
  • Fertilize once a year with a depot fertilizer or organic fertilizer.
  • Do not cut back the maple.
  • Protect pot and plant from frost in winter.

tips

Japanese maple and some of its varieties are particularly suitable for the balcony, for example the filigree variants "Butterfly" and "Kamagata".

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Trees