I bought and planted a 5 gallon specimen of this tree 2 months ago. The nursery I purchased it from, a JM specialty, told me that this cultivar has more pink on it in our area than Orido Nishiki. It's about 5 feet tall, with the caliper about 1". The tree is now fully leafed out and I am extremely disappointed. I'd estimate that maybe 5% of the leaves are variegated (throughout the tree), and just with cream, no pink. I don't know if lack of variegation is due to the tree being young, since I've read variegation intensifies with age. So my question is, should I keep it, hoping the variegation will get better, or return it for something else? I just wish I would have been more patient and waited until it leafed out before purchasing it. Also, the tree is in am sun, pm shade. I planted it with some compost, as recommended by the seller, but haven't done anything else to it. I have an Orido Nishiki nearby which is much more pink! Thanks for your advice.
Mine is in the ground and about 2 m. tall. The first leaves in the spring are always green, the variegation appears afterwards, quite heavy. So the variegated leaves are seen against the green background. The second growth in the summer is always variegated. Gomero
Thanks Gomero. I didn't know there was a second growth in summer- would this be early or late summer? Again, just another example of my impatience!
I'll second. The first flush of leaves on Asahi zuru are almost entirely green. The second flush or new growth begins to show the variegation. Orido nishiki will show variegation in the initial leaf set. I prefer the latter to Asahi zuru, but they all have their benefits. Also consider that there is some confusion and misnaming amoung the bunch. I would keep it and see how it does. I have included a couple of photos: the first if the first flush of growth this year. The second is a few leaves on second flush last year and the third is the new variegated leaves beginning ot emerge on the initial green set this year. My tree is in a 5 gallon can and about 3-4' tall. About 3-4 years old.
I feel so much better now after getting your two opinions! mjh, your 1st and 3rd photos look almost exactly like my tree, so I will look forward to seeing the variegation in the 2nd flush of leaves. And you're right about the confusion of names. The seller referred to this as "Rising Sun." When I couldn't find this in Vertrees, I googled it and saw that it could be Asahi Zuru, which the seller then confirmed after I called him.
The first leaves on my tree are predominately pink. Nevertheless I think this is a superb maple and worth keeping I hope it does well for you :)
