Once established, Japanese maples may be lightly fertilized only in the early spring (April) with 4-12-8 fertilizer or 15-30-15 water soluble mixture. Apply a water-based fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, when growth begins in spring. Light pruning or pinching can be done in spring to direct growth. Protect your tree at least until it has established a mature root system. This tree is renowned for its stunning foliage, with leaves in red or green color throughout spring to early fall before turning into shades of purple, orange or red. I have had real good success fertilizing in late April with Fox Farm Japanese Maple fertilizer 4-8-5 and Dr. Earth 5-5-5. Pruning of container grown Japanese maples is important since these trees will be viewed from a close position and their winter silhouettes are essential attributes. A Japanese maple brings such beautiful texture and color to your garden that you’ll want to take top care of the tree. Maple trees lacking … Japanese maples look best if they grow at a slower speed. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Adding a low amount of a low nitrogen fertilizer and root stimulator during planting will help nourish the tree and aid in survival. It’s important to apply fertilizer to plants at the appropriate time. Bag. Fertilizing at the wrong time can cause damage to your tree. When you start fertilizing Japanese maples, your goal should be to maintain a constant low level of fertility. These trees have a reputation for being hard to grow, but this is largely undeserved. Avoid this common mistake at … Nutrients run out of the drainage holes when you water. The size of the tree to be transplanted. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Miracle-Gro Fertilizer Spikes for Trees and Shrubs, Miracle-Gro’s Fertilizer Spikes for Trees and Shrubs, Nutrient Ratio: 4-8-5 – Lower nitrogen in this case for cooler weather trees. The dwarf and smaller maple can use pruning fairly often but only to make small incremental change in shape and form. Successfully transplanting a Japanese maple trees is based on a several factors. Emperor Japanese Maple trees do not require pruning to maintain their rounded shape. Tip 3 I only recommend using liquid type fertilizer like Miracle-Gro® on Japanese maples during the first summer, and only to help establish the tree. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If they are black and mushy, prune them … It’s good cultural practice to rake up and destroy fallen leaves of any diseased tree. 99. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Nitrogen is the most important fertilizer for maples. Japanese maples, especially young trees, have some sensitivity to extreme heat and sunlight. If you want to learn when and how to fertilize a Japanese maple tree, read on. If you are going to use inorganic fertilizers, it is best to fertilize lightly in half dosages rather than full strength.. Japanese maples require well-draining soil and will do poorly in clay or wet soil. Pick dwarf or semi-dwarf species for your potted Japanese maples. NOTE: Japanese maples do not require a high nitrogen fertilizer. So unlike many plants, the summer months may not be the best choice for planting. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The color darkens in summer to burgundy, or even darker. Pruning . Fertilizing . 4.5 out of 5 stars 51. During the spring and summer, feed Japanese maple bonsai every other week with an organic bonsai fertilizer or liquid fertilizer. Planting in very early spring or well into fall suits these trees just fine. They bloom in spring, and this is when the red in their foliage is sometimes at its brightest. Feed these dwarf trees twice a year with a slow release fertilizer in early spring and mid to late summer. Fertilizing Japanese maples at the proper time is also important. Most of the trees thrive in a site that gets some sun in the morning but shade in the afternoon. ... FoxFarm Happy Frog Japanese Maple Fertilizer 4-3-4, 4-Lb. But consider your climate. Alternatively, start Japanese maple feeding after the last freeze in spring. Sign up for our newsletter. If you pick a tree that doesn’t get taller than 10 feet (3 m.) tall, you won’t have to do annual pruning. Moreover, its humic acid component increases the consumption rate of micronutrients that are vital for the softwood. Log in. This unique blend of fertilizers and microorganisms delivers nutrition where your plants need it most. fish meal, fish bone meal, alfalfa meal, sulfate of potash magnesia, bat guano and gypsum. I used a “Japanese Maple” fertilizer 4-8-5 called Happy Frog, made here in Calif. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Detrimental to young trees; FoxFarm Japanese Maple Fertilizer– Best Fertilizer for Japanese Maple Trees. The Best Fertilizer for Japanese Red Maples Need for Fertilizer. Trees not leafing out when they’re supposed to will almost certainly cause alarm in homeowners. Divide the fertilizer between the holes and tuck the pellets into them. $24.60 $ 24. It isn’t as picky as you might think, but it does have some definite preferences. Japanese maple trees do not require special fertilization when they are first planted, although mixing well-rotted compost into the dirt in which you plant the tree can help it along. Finding a good site for your Japanese maple is the single best thing you can do to keep that tree healthy. When you do start feeding Japanese maples, do so in late winter while the ground is still frozen. 4% slow release Nitrogen from feather and fish meal. Feed your Emperor Japanese Maple with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in spring, before new growth emerges. Japanese maple trees (Acer palmatum) are colorful maple trees that are typically grown in-ground or pots for Bonsai. Only 5 left in stock - order soon. Fertilizing Japanese maples is an important part of the nurturing process. Although Japanese maples don't require a high amount of fertilizing, maintaining a low level of fertility throughout the season is necessary to keep your trees healthy and happy. Sign up for a newsletter and get a Free Leap Start Fertilizer Packet! The placement of your tree will determine how attractive and lush it will look and even how long it will live. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A Japanese maple brings such beautiful texture and color to your garden that you’ll want to take top care of the tree. FREE Shipping. Happy Frog ® Japanese Maple Fertilizer is specifically formulated for use on Japanese maples, lilies, evergreens, hydrangeas, junipers, dogwoods, flowering ornamentals, and other low pH feeders. The first rule to keep in mind is not to start fertilizing Japanese maples too early. Fertilizer Japanese maple bonsai require regular fertilizing to encourage strong and consistent new growth. It … You can fertilize your Bloodgood Japanese maple tree in early spring, before the new growth. Proper fertilization is one of the keys to successfully growing Japanese maples. FREE Shipping. During the fall, switch to a nitrogen-free fertilizer and cut back on the frequency of feeding. Follow recommended rates based on the tree size. However, a little Japanese maple fertilizer is enough, so exercise discretion in Japanese maple feeding. Fertilize sparingly. Use a slow-release, well-balanced organic fertilizer with an NPK value of 10-10-10. Generally, these maples grow slower in pots and develop smaller root systems. 4. Japanese maple trees prefer fertilizers that contain a higher ratio of nitrogen than phosphorus or potassium since nitrogen is needed in the tree in much higher quantities than the two other … What is the best fertilizer for Japanese maple trees? Use quality potting soil — but not one that contains slow-release fertilizer that might burn roots. This moderate fertilization practice will keep your maples healthy. FoxFarm FX14055 FoxFarm Happy Frog Japanese Maple Fertilizer (2-Pack) $49.99 $ 49. To keep your Japanese maple happy, you’ll need to site it correctly and apply fertilizer appropriately. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,421. Complete fertilizers contain varying amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and … Examine the roots. What to use for Japanese maple feeding? Most people use them as specimen trees, although they are also used in bonsai. When feeding a Japanese maple, you can apply a slow-release shrub and tree fertilizer at half the recommended rate for other types of trees. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Although their leaves can become even showier in autumn than in summer, their foliage is attractive for a full three seasons of the year. Carefully dig the tree out with a shovel. Japanese Maples grown in containers need fed more often than trees grown in the ground. Once you plant the trees, wait at least until their second growing season before fertilizing Japanese maples. These cookies do not store any personal information. Rake or trowel the fertilizer into the soil around the tree staring a foot out from the trunk and extending at least a foot past the drip line. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Compared with many other trees and shrubs they have few pests or diseases and are versatile enough to thrive in locations ranging from full shade to full sun. Japanese maple trees require normal amounts of nitrogen, which coffee grounds may supplement, particularly if the soil is nitrogen depleted (for example, wood chips remove nitrogen from the soil). Product labels list the ratios of nutrients in a specific fertilizer. Organic methods of pest control and the organic fertilizers are less harsh. When this happens to trees prized for their foliage, like Japanese maples, it can be especially heart wrenching. Maple Dwarf – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing. Both strong winds and hot sun can stress or even kill a maple. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. High amounts of nitrogen results in excessively fast growth that will weaken the plant. They make eye-catching focal points for any backyard, and many cultivars delight you with fiery fall displays. A subject of some debate. Japanese Maples Not Leafing Out. Tree fertilizer spikes also work well and are easy to use. Apply the fertilizer in the dose recommended on the product label in keeping with the size and age of your maple tree. Is also important to function properly all that 's happening in and around the garden Know how: up... To young trees, have some definite preferences root systems to your tree will determine how and! Like nobody ’ s important to apply fertilizer to plants at the appropriate time transplanting. Trees have a reputation for being hard to grow, but it does have some preferences... 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