Japanese maple 'Trompenburg' Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg' (M)

Water

For the Japanese Maple, it is critical to maintain a consistent moisture level without overwatering. Typically, watering once a week with approximately 10 to 15 gallons per watering session is sufficient. However, this can vary depending on weather conditions. In hotter, drier periods, the tree may need more frequent waterings, but in cooler, wet months, less frequent watering is necessary. Always check the soil moisture by feeling the soil a couple of inches below the surface; it should be moist but not waterlogged.

Light

Japanese Maples prefer a spot that provides both sun and shade throughout the day. The ideal conditions would be morning sunlight followed by afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day can be harmful, especially to young or delicate leaves, so it’s important to avoid overly sunny spots that can lead to leaf scorch.

Temperature

Japanese Maples thrive best in temperate climates with temperatures ideally between 60°F and 80°F. They can tolerate minimum temperatures down to around -10°F to 0°F, but extreme cold can be damaging, particularly for young trees. Conversely, temperatures above 90°F may stress the plant and require additional care, such as increased shading and watering.

Pruning

Pruning Japanese Maples is primarily done to enhance their natural shape and remove any dead or damaged growth. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It is important to not over prune; typically, no more than about a fifth of the canopy should be removed in a single season. Additionally, occasional thinning of the branches may be necessary to ensure adequate light and air circulation.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Japanese Maple 'Trompenburg' thrives in well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0. A mix containing peat, pine bark, and coarse sand or perlite promotes aeration and drainage, essential for this maple's root health.

Repotting

Japanese Maple 'Trompenburg' should be repotted every two to three years to prevent root bounding and to replenish the soil nutrients. Younger trees may need more frequent repotting, while mature ones can be repotted less often.

Humidity & Misting

Japanese Maple 'Trompenburg' prefers average humidity levels but can tolerate some variation. It does not require exceptionally high humidity to thrive, making it suitable for most garden environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Japanese Maple 'Trompenburg' by a sunny window and ensure good air circulation.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade with shelter from harsh winds and well-draining soil.

• Hardiness zone

  5-8 USDA

Life cycle

The Japanese Maple 'Trompenburg' (Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg') starts its life cycle as a seed, which after stratification, germinates in the spring. Upon germination, it develops a taproot system and begins producing its distinctive, deeply lobed leaves that emerge red in spring and matures to dark purple or bronze. Through the growing season, it undergoes vegetative growth, establishing a broad canopy and a woody stem. As a deciduous tree, in autumn the leaves change to a brilliant red before dropping, and the plant enters dormancy for the winter. In its mature stages, the tree produces small purple flowers in spring, followed by winged samaras (seed pods) that disperse by wind, allowing for propagation and the continuation of its life cycle. Individual Japanese Maples can live for several decades, going through cycles of growth, reproduction, and dormancy annually.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early spring

• The Japanese Maple 'Trompenburg' is most effectively propagated through the method of softwood cuttings. This technique is best executed in early summer when the new growth is still tender and flexible. To propagate, one would take a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) from the tip of a healthy branch, ensuring that there are at least two sets of leaves on the cutting. The lower leaves are removed and the cut end is dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the leaf nodes are buried where the leaves were removed. The pot should be kept under high humidity conditions and in indirect light. After several weeks, the cuttings will begin to root and can eventually be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden.