Japanese Maple, Regular red leaf and red Laceleaf Japanese Maple ### 1. Red Leaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) The Red Leaf Japanese Maple, known for its stunning red foliage, is a deciduous tree native to Japan, Korea, and China. The leaves emerge vibrant red in spring, turning darker red or burgundy in summer, and then bright red or orange in autumn. ### 2. Red Laceleaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum) The Red Laceleaf Japanese Maple is a variety of Acer palmatum known for its deeply lobed, finely cut leaves that give a lace-like appearance. The foliage is usually a rich red or burgundy color that intensifies in the fall.#### Description #### Growing as a Garden Plant - **Location:** Prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun, especially in cooler climates. - **Soil:** Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Enrich with organic matter. - **Watering:** Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. - **Fertilizing:** Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring before new growth starts. - **Pruning:** Prune in late winter to early spring to shape and remove dead or crossed branches. - **Pests/Diseases:** Watch out for aphids, scale, and verticillium wilt. Use appropriate treatments as needed. #### Growing as a Bonsai - **Potting:** Choose a shallow bonsai pot with good drainage. Use a well-draining bonsai soil mix. - **Pruning:** Regularly prune to maintain shape and encourage branching. Root pruning is also essential every 2-3 years when repotting. - **Wiring:** Use wiring techniques to shape the branches. Be careful not to damage the delicate bark. - **Watering:** Bonsai trees dry out quickly, so water frequently but avoid waterlogging. - **Fertilizing:** Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. - **Light:** Provide bright, indirect light. Protect from intense midday sun. ### General Care Tips - **Winter Protection:** Both types need protection from harsh winter winds. Mulching around the base can help insulate the roots. - **Aesthetic Maintenance:** Both varieties are prized for their ornamental value. Regular maintenance will ensure they remain beautiful focal points in your garden or bonsai collection. - **Patience:** Growing Japanese Maples, particularly as bonsai, requires patience and attention to detail. Their slow growth and delicate nature make them rewarding projects for dedicated gardeners and bonsai enthusiasts. Growing Japanese Maples from Seed Japanese maples can be grown from seed, but to be honest, they seedlings will be different from the parent. Most of the stunning Japanese maple varieties that you can buy in the nursery are actually grafted, meaning the seeds they produce will not necessarily have the same characteristics as the parent tree. Much like planting an apple seed from an apple will likely result in a crabapple tree, planting a seed from a Japanese maple will probably result in a generic Japanese maple tree. It will still be a Japanese maple, and it may still have red summer foliage, but chances are it may not be quite as remarkable as its parent. Still, growing Japanese maples from seed is a great way to start a Japanese maple! Japanese maples are great trees, and they reliably turn beautiful bright colors in the fall. And since you never know quite what you’re going to get, you might stumble across a really beautiful specimen. How to Germinate Japanese Maple Seed Japanese maple seeds are collected in the fall – when they’re brown and dry and falling from the trees. When planting Japanese maple seeds, it’s important to pretreat them before sowing them in the ground. If you plan on planting your seeds outdoors in the spring, place them in a paper bag and store them in a cool, dark place through the winter. If you plan on starting them indoors in a pot, you can skip the winter storage and begin treating the seeds right away. First, break off the wings of the seeds. Next, fill a container with water that’s very warm but not too hot to put your hand in it, and soak your seeds for 24 hours. Then mix the seeds in a small amount of potting soil and put it all in a sealable plastic bag. Poke a couple holes in the bag for ventilation, and put it in your refrigerator for 90 days to stratify. Once the 90 days are up, you can plant the seeds in a container or directly in the ground. If you live somewhere with cold winters, you can skip the fridge and simply sow your seeds outdoors after they soak. The cold of winter will stratify the seeds just as well. It is also valued in Japan and elsewhere as a species suitable for bonsai. =s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s==s=s=s=s=s=s=s= Free shipping to USA and Canada on most of our seeds Add this item to your cart and keep shopping-- at https://www.bonanza.com/booths/Greenoakie =s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s==s Germination Instructions Stratification: Seeds require about 90 – 120 days cold stratification at 3 C (37 F) to 5 C (41 F). First place seeds in a container with warm water and leave them in the water for about 24 hours. Next mix some soiless mixture for starting seeds or sand and vermiculite moisten with water and place it in sandwich bag(s). Note mixture should be moist not soggy. Place the seeds inside the mix and refrigerate for 90 to 120 days. Note the bag(s) should not be sealed. Poke hole or leave partially open for air. Occasionally check to see if seeds are starting to sprout. After the required time or when it seems that they are sprouting, transplant seeds in a container and where they can grow. Note some seeds may sprout sporadically so don’t give up.. =s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s==s=s=s=s=s=s=s= Shipping of Seeds and Cuttings: Orders are shipped via Canada Post Mail unless otherwise specified. Some items are shipped without tracking to keep costs low. This is the most economical option. Canada Post is incredibly reliable, but can be slow. If you require tracking or a faster delivery please message before ordering. We try to ship any live plants on MONDAYS or TUESDAYS as a precautionary measure to avoid delays over the weekend and ensure the viability of live plant orders. Weather may be a contributing factor in the processing of our orders and will occasionally cause some delay. We will ship seeds anywhere in the world, however, please make sure you check with your country's customs office to be sure that they are allowed in. 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