Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' (A)

Water

Japanese Maple should be watered regularly, especially during dry periods, with the aim of keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the first growing season, it's important to provide 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per week to help establish the root system. Once established, the frequency can be reduced, focusing on a deep water once a week, or more during extreme heat. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf scorch and diseases; instead, water at the base of the tree. Mulching around the base can help retain soil moisture.

Light

Japanese Maples prefer a spot that receives partial shade, especially in the afternoon, to protect them from the harsh midday sun. Morning sunlight with afternoon shade is ideal to bring out the vivid colors of the leaves without causing leaf scorch. They thrive under the filtered light of taller deciduous trees or on the north or east side of buildings where they receive gentle morning light and avoid intense afternoon heat.

Temperature

Japanese Maples do best in a temperature range between 60°F and 80°F but can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 90°F for short periods. The ideal temperatures are moderate, as they can suffer from leaf scorch in hot, dry weather and can be damaged by severe frosts in winter. Protection from harsh conditions, especially in the case of young trees, can help ensure their survival and health.

Pruning

Pruning Japanese Maples is primarily for shaping and removing any dead or damaged wood, and it is best done when the tree is dormant in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Light pruning to shape the tree can be done in summer; however, major pruning should be avoided then to prevent excessive sap loss. Pruning every 2 to 3 years is often sufficient for maintaining a good shape and healthy tree.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Japanese Maple 'Atropurpureum' prefers moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. The best soil mix for this plant often includes a blend of loam, peat moss, and sharp sand or perlite to enhance drainage and aeration.

Repotting

Japanese Maples like 'Atropurpureum' should be repotted every 2-3 years when young, and less frequently as they mature, possibly only when rootbound which could take over 5 years.

Humidity & Misting

The 'Atropurpureum' variety of Japanese Maple prefers average to high humidity levels. It thrives best if humidity is maintained at a moderate level, typically between 40-60%.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in a bright spot, avoid dry heat, ensure pot has drainage.

• Outdoor

  Choose partial shade, shelter from harsh winds, mulch root zone.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

The Japanese Maple 'Atropurpureum' begins its life cycle as a seed which after a period of stratification, germinates in the spring. Once the seedling emerges and establishes its root system, it enters the juvenile phase, characterized by rapid vegetative growth and the development of its distinctive red-purple foliage. As the Japanese Maple matures, it transitions into the reproductive stage, where it produces small red or purple flowers in spring, which are followed by the formation of winged samaras (seed pods) that disperse with the wind in late summer or fall. The tree then reaches its adult phase, wherein it can live for several decades, experiencing annual cycles of growth, flowering, and dormancy. In the dormant season during the winter, the Japanese Maple loses its leaves, conserving energy and resources until conditions are favorable for new growth in the spring. With age, the tree's growth rate slows, and it may eventually reach senescence, where physiological functions decline leading to the end of its life cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early spring

• The Japanese maple 'Atropurpureum' is best propagated by grafting, which is a horticultural technique where tissues from one plant are inserted into those of another so that the two sets may join together. This popular method usually occurs in late winter or early spring before the sap starts to flow. The understock or rootstock, which is typically a seedling of a more common Japanese maple, should be dormant when grafting. The scion wood, which is a cutting from the desired 'Atropurpureum', is collected while still dormant from healthy year-old growth and then grafted onto the rootstock using techniques such as whip grafting, tongue grafting, or side veneer grafting. Each method involves careful cutting of both scion and stock, so they fit together snugly and provide the maximum contact between the cambium layers of the graft partners to promote successful union and growth. After wrapping and sealing the graft union to prevent drying, the grafted plants are kept under appropriate conditions for the graft to heal and the scion to begin growth, a process which may take a few weeks.