Ornamental plants often need special care and help. This is because ornamental features require extra energy.
QUICK ANSWER: The best fertilizer for the Japanese Maple is a slow-release granular fertilizer with a nitrogen content of 10 to 15. Apply it in early spring, and the Japanese Maple will be supplied with nutrients for the growing season.
When to fertilize?
The best time to fertilize Japanese Maple is early spring when the buds have started to push. By using a slow-release fertilizer at this time, you can be sure your tree will get its nutrients by the end of the growing season.
If you use other types of fertilizer, you should strictly follow the label’s recommendations and consult your supplier.
Do not fertilize with slow-release pellets later than July. Otherwise, the tree may enter the winter in an active state and suffer frost damage. For the same reason, never fertilize in the fall or winter.
Read also: Top Tips for Care of Acer Palmatum.
How to fertilize?
As I mentioned before, the best fertilizer for Japanese Maple is slow-release granules. It is important that the fertilizer has a nitrogen number of no more than 15 but, at the same time, no less than 10.
There should be less phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer than nitrogen. The NPK formula 12-4-8 is close to ideal.
Read how much fertilizer the manufacturer recommends before applying. Usually, 2 to 3 ounces of fertilizer yearly is sufficient for a 5-foot-tall maple.
Dig three small holes 2-3 inches deep around the trunk at an equal distance from one another. The holes should be at least 1 foot apart from the tree’s trunk but no further than the drip line. Avoid damaging the roots as you dig the holes.
Spread the manufacturer’s recommended amount of pellets evenly between the holes. Next, cover them with soil and water with 2 gallons of water.
Organic fertilizer
A great addition to the mineral fertilizer is organic. They can be used together, and the tree will only respond positively.
Compost works best as an organic fertilizer. Find a local supplier of quality compost with good reviews. This choice should be made with the utmost responsibility, as poor-quality compost can have negative consequences.
Put the organic matter into the planting hole for the first time when you plant the maple trees. Mix a few buckets of compost with the native soil in the hole.
Next, mulch the root zone with the same material. The mulch layer should be about 2 inches thick. Avoid volcano mulching and change the mulching material once a year.
Fertilizer burn
The roots can be severely damaged if you fertilize too much or too often. Salts accumulated from frequent fertilization can burn the thin roots responsible for the water supply.
As a result, the leaves may turn brown around the edges or even wither completely.
A second pessimistic scenario can be overgrowth. This will cause the leaves to lose their color and become greener. In addition, the tree will be severely depleted.
To avoid all this, do not fertilize more than once a year with a slow-release fertilizer. Also, fertilize no later than the middle of summer.
Usually, 1-3 ounces of pellets are enough for young maples. Be sure to ask your supplier how much of their fertilizer is needed per tree.
If you over-fertilize a Japanese maple, water it with 4-5 gallons. Repeat this after a few days. Also, replenish the topsoil if possible, but avoid damaging the roots.
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How do you deal with trunk damage at the base of the tree??
Hi Ted,
Just treat the damaged area 1-2 times per season with a copper fungicide. You don’t need to do anything else and the wound will heal over time.
I hope I have helped you. I will be happy to answer your other questions.