For several years, the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), native to the Japanese islands, has also been increasingly found in German gardens. The rather small, shrub-like growing tree impresses with its frugality and its distinctive foliage, which turns beautiful orange to red in autumn. Red Japanese maple has a particularly strong coloring, which can, however, be impaired by excessive fertilization.

Moderate fertilization helps young Japanese maples in particular to grow

Excessive fertilization prevents autumn colours

Basically, the Japanese maple prefers a humus-nutrient-rich soil, but should only be fertilized moderately. Too much fertilization unfortunately means that the wonderful autumn colors either remain unsatisfactory or even fail completely. The same applies, by the way, if it is not sunny enough in autumn, because: The more sun the Japanese maple can soak up, the more intensively its foliage will color.

Prefer organic fertilizers

For this reason, Japanese maples that have been planted out should firstly only be supplied with little and secondly only with selected fertilizers. If the tree is in normal garden soil, a supply of compost twice a year is basically sufficient. Carefully work in the first portion at the beginning of budding in April, the second will follow around mid to late June. Be careful, however, because the Japanese maple has its roots very close to the surface of the earth. If necessary, you can fertilize until around the beginning or mid-August, but later fertilization should be avoided. This would delay the ripening of this year's shoots before winter and also affect the autumn colour.

Fertilize Japanese maple in the pot regularly

In contrast to specimens planted out, Japanese maples cultivated in tubs should be supplied with a good complete fertilizer every three to four weeks during the growing season. Special maple fertilizer, which is available in well-stocked garden centers, is very suitable for this purpose. But the same applies to fertilization here: less is more.

Incorporate compost when planting

Instead, you should incorporate a large portion of mature compost or, in the case of potted plants, compost soil into the substrate or the excavation when planting. A further improvement of the soil can be achieved by adding expanded clay (19.73€) or clay granulate and/or coarse sand. This procedure is particularly recommended for heavy, poorly permeable soils.

tips

Especially with potted plants and on hot summer days, the fertilizer should be given in liquid form, for example by adding the agent to the irrigation water.

Category:

Trees