I work in a nursery and we have many japenese maples and a peice broke off one, so I put some root stim on the small branch and planted it in a small pot.I continued to water it and it is now about 10 inches with a great root system,however it is still only one branch growing up.Should I pinch it or prune it to make it grow out or just leave it be?
In answer to your question, we will include information from a post that talks about the culitvation of Japanese Maples, so that you can think on it and compare notes so to speak. This information will be compiled below our response to you- blow the dotted line.This information may give you a clue as to why the growth that you had expected is not happening. It seems that your plant is not robust, and this may have something to do with the root system; as it is still a small plant you may want to dig around it or pop it out of the ground and have a look at the roots. Sometimes the plant is pot bound at the time of purchase and the roots encircle one another and in time strangle the main branches of the root system. If this is the case then all you need to do is untangle and fan the root ball, replant and the plant should benefit. --------------- I think the number one reason that recently planted Japanese Maples go into decline is because they were planted too deeply or the grade has changed and the roots are therefore too deep. This may not be the reason for your maple's woes but please consider the following. Check the planting depth All too often people plant their Japanese Maples too deep. Check and be sure that the top most roots, coming off of the trunk (the crown), is not covered with more than about 1/4 inch of soil. If it is too deep replant it higher. If drainage is not good in this location replant it higher. Planting Maple Dig a wide, shallow planting hole. Do not ammend the soil, use indigenous soil. Gently remove tree from container and lightly dirsrupt the roots that were in contact with the pot, comb them with your fingers. Make sure that there are no roots circling, if so rearrange them so that they do not continue circling. Firm soil in center of planting hole and place tree on top. Plant at same level or even a little high. Fill hole with indigenous soil. Do not cover the uppermost roots with more than about a quarter inch of soil. Form a watering basin a foot or so around tree. Gently water, thoroughly, until water pools up and almost goes over your watering basin. Let water soak in. Repeat the watering step, over and over again. When you think that it has been thoroughly watered, re-adjust your soil surface around your tree, smooth it out and add more if needed. Repeat this a few times. When you and your tree are satisfied, mulch entire planting area with about 3" of mulch (I prefer pine straw) keeping the mulch about 3" from trunk of tree. Water again thoroughly. As far as fertilizer goes, hold off the first year but if you feel you must I would suggest something mild and organic like Espoma. You will never make much money planting this way commercially but you will have a well planted tree.
