#Red dragon japanese maple care how to#

Instead, monitor its health and environment and give it a drink when conditions are particularly dry. At that point, you can ease up on watering it a bit. Once your tree has been planted in the same spot for two or three years, its roots should be well-established. The tree will likely grow faster and use more water, and watering thoroughly helps avoid a harmful fertilizer buildup. If you’re applying synthetic fertilizer to your Japanese Maple, you may need to water it more deeply and frequently than usual.Dry, coarse, sandy soil will dry out much faster than heavy clay.

You have to consider the soil quality as well.

You can cut back on watering in the fall, and your tree may not need any irrigation at all in the winter.

Seasonal temperature variations also make a big difference.

There’s no need to water your Japanese Maple immediately after heavy rainfall.

Not all of that moisture has to come from the hose.

Note that this is just a rule of thumb that comes with some important caveats: When it’s young, though, the root ball is much more confined, and your Japanese Maple requires more irrigation.Ī newly planted Japanese Maple needs around 10 gallons of water per week. A mature Acer Palmatum in an area with decent rainfall may hardly ever need you to water it. As the tree matures, its roots become more established and spread further out, increasing its ability to seek out moisture. The answer to this question is complex because a Japanese Maple tree’s watering needs change throughout its life. Try not to worry too much, though - hydrating Japanese Maples properly isn’t as hard as you might think.

#Red dragon japanese maple care how to#

This post will explain how to spot problems like overwatering, underwatering, overly dry or marshy soil, and poor water quality. You should test the soil periodically and water your Japanese Maple thoroughly when the top few inches feel dry.Īs you get more practice watering your tree, you’ll learn to tell when conditions are dry enough that it needs a drink. They’ll also be much thirstier in the summer heat than during the cold and wet of winter. Japanese Maples need more water when they’re first getting established. Our guide will tell you when, how, and how much to water your Japanese Maple to ensure it’s in optimal health. Regional variations in temperature and rainfall can make a big difference, as can the drainage of your soil. And striking the right balance between overwatering and underwatering depends greatly on local conditions. How thirsty are Japanese Maples? Ensuring your tree gets the right amount of water is one of the most important ways you can help it thrive and grow.