Hope it's ok to post about Katsura here...couldn't figure out where it should go. So I picked up a 12' tree and it got planted yesterday. I thought it was a nice looking tree. Then yesterday I visited a different nursery and their katsuras have these huge colorful leaves, some really amazing foliage, various sized leaves, colors. Same species supposedly - the japonicum upright. So now I'm thinking perhaps they know the secret to fertilizing a special way? Does anyone have any idea how to turn my small leaved Katsura into big beautiful super colorful leaves for next year? Attaching a pic of the katsura I saw yesterday.
While there is no doubt some genetic variation between individuals and how each will colour in the autumn, for the best colour display I think you need to ensure massive chlorophyll build-up (through exposure to sun, good watering, and sufficient fertilizer / soil nutrients) followed by drought-stress at the right time in the autumn. The latter would be much easier with potted plants than with a tree in the ground!
Thanks Daniel. I hadn't thought about genetic variation! I guess I figured a species is a species. Don't laugh, total newbie. So if I want leafing like I'm seeing at this nursery, I had best buy that tree. Could you weigh in on a new question I posted about watering trees?
It's a regular Japonicum - not the red variety. Looks like it tho! They had those there too, as well as Claim Jumpers.
Another factor I failed to mention -- temperature regulation in the autumn (which again might be easier in a nursery situation).