Water is a crucial element in plant development. Without it, no plant can survive. On the other hand, excess water can also have negative consequences.
QUICK ANSWER: Water the Japanese Maple when the soil in the root zone is 1-2 inches dry. Use at least 2 gallons for one plant. This watering pattern should be followed for the first 2 years after planting the Japanese Maple.
Read also: How to Grow Japanese Maples Successfully.
Water requirements
A Japanese maple needs watering until it is fully established. This is because the root system cannot extract enough water from the ground in the first 1-2 years.
Before watering, determine how wet the soil around the roots is. You can do this with your fingers or use a moisture meter. The maple must be watered if the soil is more than 1 inch dry.
Use about 2 gallons for each tree. For maples over 7 feet tall, the amount of water can be three or more gallons.
After two years, the Japanese Maple will be fully established where you planted it and can draw the right amount of water from the surrounding soil.
In the autumn, watering should be reduced as the ground is usually wet at this time of year, and the maple is already losing its leaves.
Do not water the Japanese Maple in winter because it is dormant and does not need as much water as during the growing season.
The exception to this is if the winter is too dry and warm. If this is your case, check the soil once a month, and if it is more than 2 inches dry, water with 1-2 gallons of water.
Too much water
Japanese maples do not tolerate overwatering. That is why the soil in which they grow must be well-drained. In addition, there should not be any water accumulations near the tree, such as from a roof, pond, stream, etc.
Also, watering on a schedule is a sure way to over-water the Japanese maple. If you water for example once a week without paying attention to the weather and the humidity of the soil, the maple roots will start to rot.
The first symptoms of overwatering and root rot are yellowing of the leaves. Also, signs of excessive moisture are brown spots on the leaves.
To avoid this, only water the Japanese Maple when the soil is more than 1 inch dry. Avoid watering in rainy weather.
Also, do not use an automatic irrigation system, even if equipped with an air moisture sensor. The air humidity can drop quickly while the soil can remain moist for a long time.
Planting water-loving plants under the Japanese Maple, such as Petunias, is also not recommended. These flowers need a lot of water, which is unnecessary for the maple.
Lack of water
There are situations where the Japanese Maple can experience a lack of water. This is just as dangerous as overwatering.
This can happen in the first summer after planting or transplanting. If you plant in late spring, the maple may not even begin to root in the surrounding soil by summer.
As a result, the summer heat and bright sun can quickly deprive the tree of moisture. Dry winds contribute to this even more.
A symptom of dehydration can be drooping leaves. It is also common for the leaves to become crisp around the edge and turn brown.
To avoid all of this, constantly check the moisture content of the soil around the tree. As soon as the soil is an inch or a little more dry, water the maple immediately.
Also, be sure to mulch the root zone with a layer of organic mulch at least 2 inches thick. Avoid volcano mulching.
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My maple is dying ,some of my friend said I give too much water
Hello Chean,
This could be due to overwatering, especially if the pots do not have drainage holes. Or it could be sunscald if the maple is placed in the sun.
To avoid this, place the potted Japanese maple in the shade with only 2 hours of morning sun. Water it when the soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch and make sure the pot has drainage holes.