Japanese Maple Gardening 7 regrets to avoid in winter

[@alandmkday8581]

Thank you 😊

[@Japanesemaples]

No problem 😉

[@jimbojackson2900]

Outside of columnar shape and growth rate, can you tell me a bit more about the differences between Shaina and Twombly’s?

[@Japanesemaples]

Shaina grows fast initially but slows down rapidly in later years. Red sentinel will grow really big given enough time. Shaina tends to have some green leaves if they are in shade and Red sentinel holds its red colour more. Hope that helps Carl

[@fghirapak]

​@@Japanesemaples Thanks

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

How to look after ever red acer in winter?

[@Japanesemaples]

In the UK zone 8 they are fully hardy. It’s new growth in the spring that needs care 👍

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

@@Japanesemaples Thank-you never had an acer before and terrified of abusing it!!in spring special care please advise if possible.

[@1ronhall]

Thanks for the tips. What are typical winter low temps? Also, I have a Sango, it grew an enormous sport. When should I remove it?

[@Japanesemaples]

Hi there, the temperatures here can get down to - 3 or - 4 in the winter. I’ve seen small trees like the ones in the video frozen solid and be fine next spring. Bizzare really that damp conditions do more harm than freezing! Pruning wise my advice is to wait until when they start to leaf out next year. The cuts heal fast and get obscured by the new leaves.

[@Naztalgic]

As far as watering over winter... Just leave them alone? or water up untill first frost hits. this may be a silly question but nobody really goes in to detail on this subject.

[@Japanesemaples]

That’s actually a really good point! Here in the UK I would worry until the trees drop their leaves. At this point water loss is very small and the amount it rains will be more than enough.

[@Mrckhoa]

Great info man! How cold does it get there ? Do you have snow in your area ? Do you move them inside your unheated garage or you leave them out all winter ? Thank you

[@Japanesemaples]

Hi, it does not snow often and only gets down to -2-3. Never moved them, but I use smallish pots so the root ball they grow protects them.

[@Mrckhoa]

@@Japanesemaples great thank you

[@krishath7085]

Hi thank you very much for the tips. I have one question, do we really need to cover the pots with bubble wraps as advised by some other growers? I plant mine in a frost proof pot and Im based in Berkshire, UK.

[@Japanesemaples]

Interesting question, I’ve never done that and never had a problem, I’m in the UK midlands. To be honest I’m not convinced that will make any difference as the pot will freeze eventually and way. Having roots filling the pot acts as the best insulation in my opinion!

[@rlim1839]

Can I ask why weeds are not good tp leave in pots with acers? Most of my acer pots have nursed weeeds this speing/summer 😬 Should I be removing them? Thank you xx

[@Japanesemaples]

Small weeds are not a problem, just look 👀 untidy. Don’t want bigger weeds competing for nutrients however 👍

[@rlim1839]

@@Japanesemaples ok, gotchya and good points 👌👍 Thanks again for the sound advice!! 🙏🙌 xx

[@grif170]

Am i able to put my japanese maple in the garage in the winter, if so when should I be doing that?

[@Japanesemaples]

Hi and thanks for the question. I live in the UK zone 8 and have never brought my trees indoors over winter and never had a problem. They need to feel the seasons and retain some moisture in their compost so I would recommend just bringing them indoors if there is extreme cold. If this is frequent where you are then leave them in the garage but water to stop them drying out. I have personally seen my small trees frozen solid and still be fine the following year. Actually it’s when they leaf out and the compost remained very wet in March that was the issue.

[@grif170]

Alright thank you. Im in zone 5, so it gets pretty cold here and expecting some snow tomorrow so thats why im concerned

[@Japanesemaples]

No problem and yes in that case the garage will be useful. Extreme, prolonged cold can be an issue!

[@grif170]

It is still in leaf though, is it still ok?

[@Japanesemaples]

@@grif170 honestly I’m not sure as I’ve never tried it. My best guess is to wait until it’s really cold