

As mentioned before, when it comes to fertilizer on Japanese maples, less is more.
#Red japanese maple full
The holes won’t be completely full and may only have a very small amount in each one, but this is perfectly fine. Carefully divide the measured fertilizer and distribute it evenly within each hole. Once you have dug the holes, it’s time to place the fertilizer. Similar to rhododendrons, too much fertilizer can cause more harm than good. You can always add more fertilizer, but you can’t take it away once it’s soaked in, so take special care not to over-fertilize. However, if you buy an all-purpose fertilizer, you should apply half of the recommended amount for other types of trees. These instructions should be pretty straightforward if you purchase a Japanese maple-specific fertilizer. Measure the Correct Amount of Fertilizerīefore applying the fertilizer, be sure to completely read the manufacturer’s recommendation for the amount of fertilizer to use. If you have any mulch or compost around the base of your tree, you’ll need to move it to the side before you dig your holes. These holes should be evenly spaced, about 6 inches (15 cm) deep, and should be located directly between the branch line and the trunk of the tree.

To prepare to apply the fertilizer granules, you’ll need to dig holes in the ground surrounding the base of the tree. However with Japanese maples, sprinkling the fertilizer onto the ground will cause uneven growth, so a bit of extra care must be taken.

Typically, when fertilizing other types of plants, the fertilizer granules only need to be sprinkled onto the soil and watered in. Dig Holes at Equal Distance Around the Tree This type of fertilizer is ideal because of its gentle, low level of nutrients, namely nitrogen. There are fertilizers made specifically for Japanese maple trees, like this Happy Frog Japanese Maple Organic Fertilizer available on. Organic fertilizers are usually preferable to synthetic or chemical compounds when it comes to Japanese maples, as they’re generally slower acting and are more gentle with the roots of the plant. This quick surge of nutrients can shock the tree and cause damage to it. A typical all-purpose fertilizer is usually rapid-release, meaning all the nutrients contained within the fertilizer are released into the soil at once. You should always use a mild, slow-release fertilizer that’s low in nitrogen when fertilizing Japanese maple trees. Let’s take a closer look at each of these important steps. Place fertilizer granules in each hole.Dig holes at equal distances around the tree.Choose a mild, slow-release fertilizer.To properly fertilize Japanese maple trees, you’ll need to do the following: The nitrogen encourages rapid growth, which weakens the plant and creates an unsightly appearance – even causing it to die. High-nitrogen fertilizers release a lot of nitrogen very quickly into the soil, which can be damaging to Japanese maples. To achieve the beautiful foliage and coloring expected of a Japanese Maple, it’s important not to disrupt the growing speed. This slow-growing speed is perfectly normal for Japanese maples and shouldn’t be rushed. Japanese maples only grow a few inches at a time during each growing season, so they’re very slow growing. Fertilizing Japanese maple trees must be done very carefully.
