Propagate a Japanese Maple Tree

The best solution for the amateur is to grow Japanese Maple Trees from seed. Sow several seeds and select only the most vigorous seedlings. The best time to sow is when the seed is ripe, normally around the middle of autumn. The seed pod will have begun to go slightly crispy. Sow the seeds on the same day as they collected because acer seeds do not keep well. Remove the seed from the seed pod and place in a pot of normal potting compost. Cover with about 2cm (half an inch) of compost and water well.

Over winter the pots in a cold frame or in a position that will not suffer from hard frosts. The seedlings should emerge in mid spring the next year. When the roots start to appear at the bottom of the pot, transfer to a larger pot. When the trees are about 30cm (12in) high they can be transplanted to their final positions.

Pest and Diseases of Japanese Maple Trees
Japanese Maple Trees are not attacked by pest or disease unless the conditions they are growing in are unsuitable. So plant them where they will be protected from the sun at the hottest parts of the day. Ensure they are not waterlogged, especially in winter. Make sure they receive a fairly constant source of moisture throughout the summer.

Weak trees can be attacked by aphids or botryitis. Click on the links for how to treat these pest but be sure to correct the conditions which have lead to the attack.