Miniature Japanese Maple

The miniature Japanese Maple are the perfect complement to an Oriental atmosphere.  Throughout history the Japanese Maple has been cultured and cared for as a bonsai tree as well.  These genetically engineered miniature trees are scaled down versions of the more common Japanese Maple that you can find at your local garden center.

Description: These magnificent jewels of the Orient will provide a year-round display of color.  As summer fades, it will paint itself with bright yellow fall color display prior to losing its leaves in the winter.  Growth resumes in the spring as the emerald green leaves re-emerge, forming its rounded shape throughout the summer. 

Availability: The miniature Japanese Maple is available from March through August.   

Gift Messaging: Gift messaging is available with this product.  Please enter your gift message in the box provided. Gift messages are limited to 250 characters.

This small-scale, living representative of Oriental flavor will delight for many years to come.  For best results, please follow the general guidelines which are posted below (these guidelines will also be included in the package with the miniature Japanese Maple).

We do require all orders for the miniature Japanese Maple to be placed at least 10 days prior to your desired delivery date. Please be aware that due to shipping constraints, we are only able to offer this product for delivery Wednesdays through Fridays.

General Care Instructions:

Light Exposure:
Japanese Maples like bright light.  In the landscape they enjoy filtered sun.  As a potted plant, direct sunlight would dry the plant out too quickly.  A location that offers morning sun only, or filtered light throughout the day would be ideal for providing the correct amount of light without drying out the plant too quickly.

Water & Fertilizer:
Water daily through the hot spells, and every other day in the spring and fall.  Keep the soil moist in the winter by watering when needed.  A well balanced liquid fertilizer can be applied every 6 weeks or so during the growing season.  If a few shoots get dry, remove them to encourage fresh growth.

Pruning:
Japanese Maples grow into a rounded shape.  Keeping them miniaturized is best achieved by pruning in the winter months the longest shoots and removing all but the last 2 to 3 inches of growth from last season.  During the growing season you may prune back any growth that visually detracts from the rounded shape.  Allow the long shoots to develop a length of 8 inches or so before removing them.  This will help to keep it to scale with the container and allow the plant to make food to help support the rest of the tree.  Every 2 or 3 years, in the winter, remove the plant from the container and prune away about 1/3 of the existing root ball and repot the plant with fresh soil.

Dormant Period:
Japanese Maples will put on quite a fall color show after which they enter their dormant period.  Water when necessary while the plant is dormant.  They will tolerate freezing conditions, but their roots should never be exposed to these extremes.  If an arctic front moves in, place the plant in a cellar or other cool place where the plant will be chilled but the soil will not freeze.  Move the plant back outside when the freezing danger has subsided.