Cappadocian Maple Acer cappadocicum

Water

The Cappadocian Maple should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. During the growing season in spring and summer, the tree may require more frequent watering, such as every 5 to 7 days, especially if the weather is particularly hot or dry. It's important to provide the tree with approximately 1.5 to 2 gallons of water at each irrigation, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply into the soil. During the fall and as the tree prepares for dormancy in winter, reduce watering to every 2 weeks or less, depending on the soil moisture and local weather conditions.

Light

The Cappadocian Maple thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. Ideally, it should be planted in a spot where it can receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, the tree can also tolerate light shade, especially in the hotter parts of the day or in regions with more intense sunlight. Areas that provide morning sun with afternoon shade are often ideal to protect the leaves from scorching in summer.

Temperature

The Cappadocian Maple can withstand a wide range of temperatures, but it prefers a temperate climate. This tree can survive minimum winter temperatures down to around -20 degrees Fahrenheit and can handle maximum summer temperatures of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range for promoting healthy growth is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pruning

Pruning the Cappadocian Maple should be done to remove any dead or damaged branches, improve the tree's shape, and enhance air circulation within the canopy. It's best to prune during the dormant season, typically in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. The tree may be pruned every 2 to 3 years or as needed to remove any crossed or rubbing branches to maintain the tree's structural integrity and aesthetic appearance.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Cappadocian maple prefers a well-draining soil blend with a mix of loam, peat, and sand in equal parts. The ideal soil pH for Cappadocian maple is mildly acidic to neutral, around 5.5 to 7.5.

Repotting

Cappadocian maples, being slow-growing trees, don't need frequent repotting. Young plants should be repotted every 2-3 years, while mature specimens may only require repotting every 4-5 years.

Humidity & Misting

Cappadocian maple thrives in moderate humidity levels typical of outdoor environments. It is not highly demanding in terms of specific humidity conditions as long as it is not excessively dry.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, avoid dry heat, and ensure good air circulation.

• Outdoor

  Plant in part shade, shelter from strong winds, mulch the base.

• Hardiness zone

  5-7 USDA.

Life cycle

The life cycle of Acer cappadocicum, commonly known as the Cappadocian maple, begins with seed dispersal, which occurs in autumn when the samaras (winged seeds) separate and are blown by wind. Upon finding a suitable location with moist soil, the seeds germinate in spring, typically requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. The seedlings then grow into juvenile plants, establishing a root system and a stem, with leaves unfurling to begin photosynthesis. As the plant matures, it passes through a vegetative stage where it increases in height and girth, forming a characteristic broad crown with ample foliage. After reaching maturity, which can take several years, the Cappadocian maple becomes reproductively active, developing small yellow-green flowers in spring that are pollinated by the wind. Having reached full maturity, it enters a cyclical phase of annual reproduction, producing new seeds each year while continuing to grow and potentially live for over a century if conditions are favorable.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early spring

• The Acer cappadocicum, commonly known as Cappadocian maple, is typically propagated using its seeds. The most popular method for propagating this tree involves collecting the seeds in the fall after they have matured. Once collected, the seeds can be sown immediately or stored and stratified to overcome dormancy; this involves mixing the seeds with moist sand or peat moss and keeping them in a refrigerator at about 34 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 5 degrees Celsius) for approximately 60-90 days. After stratification, the seeds are sown in the spring in a well-drained soil mix, covering them with a thin layer of soil. It is crucial to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to promote germination. Seedlings usually appear in a few weeks and can be transplanted when they are large enough to handle.