Watering your container grown Japanese maples

[@rubencb196]

Thank you very much for your advice, Otto, your channel is very useful for those of us who are starting with Japanese maples, greetings from Spain and thanks again

[@maplesandmusic]

thanks very much, so glad you find the video's helpful.

[@rubencb196]

@@maplesandmusic thanks to you for share it, only have 2 acers in pot, shirasawanum Moonrise and orange dream and i use your soil mix with pulverized clay brick at the bottom, the trees looks amazing, for watering i will use your advices but in the morning i go to work i am only can watering at night, thank you so much for share your knowledge about japanese maple

[@maplesandmusic]

@@rubencb196 Nice pair of specimens you have! We also have an orange dream, but it is planted in the garden.

[@rubencb196]

@@maplesandmusic thanks otto i have 20 more on the ground but are small i begin with the maples 3 years ago, but for me watering and watch it every evening is the best moment of the day, thank you for share

[@jaisvikt]

Thank you for the advice. I use a bucket of water and saturate the pot so as not to miss any spots hand sprinkling might miss. I think the style of container makes a big difference. I'm going to toss all terracotta my maples are in and place them in fired glazed pots. Wine barrel plantings are too vulnerable as well unless lined with plastic.

[@maplesandmusic]

Yes, pots are very important. In my opinion cement is best but heavy and expensive. Glazed pots are good as long as your frost is minimal in the winter, Over here they would crack due to the cold. Cedar boxes work well and we also have used half oak barrels but again they are a little too big and heavy once filled with soil and their life span is limited

[@JK-qz1sw]

Thanks for the video, very informative. 👍 My question is is that red mape on your left or is it fireglow?I need a red one like yours 😀

[@maplesandmusic]

That is actually a young "bloodgood" japanese maple. Similar to fireglow but the red tones will be much deeper as it matures. The opening image "thumb" picture with the title text is a fireglow though!

[@JK-qz1sw]

@@maplesandmusic Thank you for your answer. It's hard to believe this is bloodgood by the color of this maple. In another video (Spring and summer.....) there is a fireglow... hence my question about that red maple on your left

[@maplesandmusic]

@@JK-qz1sw I am so sorry, yes you are correct, that is a fireglow. I was referring to the tree on the other side. My mistake!

[@crazycressy7986]

Thanks ,subbed 😊

[@JRBascuguin]

Thank you so much

[@gregc5097]

When would you recommend to start this watering regimen? Here in 7b, first year with a few potted JMs I got this past winter. A few are beginning to leaf out, others have buds but are a little behind. Should I move to watering daily or wait for the canopy to fully develop/warmer temperatures to come my way? Thanks Otto, your channel has been a big help to me. Kind regards from Virginia.

[@maplesandmusic]

If there is no rain, then for sure, start with every second or third day. You can also physically feel the top soil with your hand if you are not sure. We currently now are watering every second day as we have full sun ( Zone 8b) and all the containers are really pushing out the buds now. We always water first thing in the early morning. And most important, make sure you have a good porous soil mix for your tree which also does allow the water to flow and drain quickly

[@gregc5097]

@@maplesandmusic thank you so much. Yes I am using a 511 mix of pine bark mulch/fines, peat moss and pumice. I have since modified to have a higher percentage of pine bark mulch than fines to further improve drainage. I am going to try your mix for my next JM, but substitute pine for fir since I am on the East Coast. Of course I use some dolomitic lime to maintain an optimum pH and use a slow release for nutrients. I am hopeful it drains as well as the 511 as the pumice/perlite likes to float and really does not add much. Sand on the other hand will give me some much needed weight once the canopies flush out. Thanks again!

[@maplesandmusic]

sounds like a good soil mix. Regarding water, I would do every other day if no rain. Once you get the heat combined with full foliage then move to daily morning watering

[@jimbojackson2900]

Thank you!

[@chongqinghotpot]

What zone are you in? Not sure they can survive the winters in those sizes of containers in zone 5.

[@maplesandmusic]

Chilliwack BC, Zone 8B The palmatum root stock is very hardy and can handle growing regions including zone 5

[@chongqinghotpot]

@@maplesandmusic thanks