Hello, I'm a new member, living in Switzerland. I always were inspired by the JM, originally by the most common red folliage JM during autumn. I came to buy my first ones last spring in the perspective to build a kind of japanese garden. I also bought flowering cherries and azaleas japonica. Times run fast and the JM are still in their plastic pot. I only put the Beni Shichihenge in a bigger dark pot last week. The spot where they are, is windy in autumn and winter. They survived during the summer but I don't know if they will live through the winter. The Osakazuki has lost most of its leaves so the Sango Kaku and Orange dream have. The Aureum has dried leaves. The Phoenix is no more splendid. Only the Beni Maiko, Jordan, Little Princess, Emerald Lace and Beni Shichihenge seem strong. Please let me know if my JM are healthy or need curative cares. Thank you for your help
The Aureum will get a little fall color and then turn brown very quickly. It is not known for putting on a good fall show. What it lacks in fall it more than makes up for in spring. A younger tree tends to hang onto these brown leaves longer. Also, keep in mind that different varieties reach peak fall colors at different times. 30% of my trees are bare, while my Seiryu has just a tinged of color on just a few of its green leaves. It's still going strong and is usually one of the last to lose its leaves in my garden. Over the next few years, you will get to know your trees and what is normal. When a tree loses some of its leaves early, look at the buds. If the buds have nice color and size, then you are fine. They will leaf out in spring. If they lack color, look dry, or dead, then cross your fingers and hope for the best next spring. Based on what I see from the pictures, I am not concerned. Gently pull off one of the leaves on the Aureum and look at the bud. It should be green to red, depending on the maturity of the bud. Other things to note, the first tree is planted too deeply, or the mulch is too high up on the trunk. This can cause serious problems for the tree, both short term and long term (rotting the base of the trunk or develop girdling roots) Also, in picture 3, I think I see some weeds. Its best to pull these early especially in young maples. The weed roots develop faster and stronger than the tree roots, which can damage the tree roots when pulled later. On a smaller scale the weeds compete with your developing maple. I also recommend protecting them from strong winter winds in my area, but I am not familiar with your climate.
They seem to look pretty normal for this time of year, nothing to worry about there. I agree with JT1 on almost everything, except I am not sure the tree in the first picture is planted too deeply; it looks to be a cutting grown plant and I see many here that look exactly like that for a couple of years until they develop a root flare. If it is planted at the same depth as it was in the original container it should be fine. The saucer under the plant pot needs to be removed though, else the soil will not drain properly. I think Geneva has some winter weather below -10°C; if so the maples will need some extra protection to make it through the winter while they are still in containers. Move them to a slightly warmer location such as an unheated garage or outbuilding or cellar for the coldest months. Once they are planted in the ground the winter temps will not be a problem anymore as the roots will be kept warm by the earth.
Thanks for your precious advice. I just brought home a new purchase : Seiryu with autumn color, it's so beautiful. Today, the first snow flakes appeared. It's 5 celsius now but the temperature will rise up again in a couple of days. Should I plant my JM in the ground now or wait until spring comes? Is it too cold for plantation? How can I protect them if they stay in the trunk or the pot? My garage is full and I will have to put other bigger exotic plants in. Should I cut the dead leaves and dried white/black branches?
, Definitely now: trees will have plenty of time to get installed + you do not have to worry about winter protection : Do not plant if the ground is frozen which, for Geneva, is more likely to occur in the winter months. , put them close to the house walls, the tree is in danger when the temperature dips below -10°C as Maf said. You will gain several degrees next to the house. Gomero
looks good to me as well the plants are going through slow dormancy, select a light airy soil medium if you are planning a pot to ground dig bfore your expected winter snows. If kept in pots go at least 1-2 sizes larger for small leaf varieties...........your call of course. Eric ~ you have some excellent advice already......
I saw some beautiful, established A. japonicums at Giessbach, I would guess Geneva would have a similar climate, the cold being somewhat moderated by the lake. In particular there was a large established Aconitifolium there that was quite spectacular. So I would hope your maples would do well. Good luck, and enjoy! My little Seiryu is very pretty now as well... -E
