Asian maple species can be easily cultivated in containers, so that balcony gardeners do not have to miss out on the spectacular fireworks of autumn foliage coloring. Slotted maple (Acer palmatum) and Japanese maple (Acer japonicum) demonstrate Far Eastern serenity, and not just in terms of their growth. These tips show how easy it is to care for the ornamental trees on the balcony.
How do I care for maple trees on the balcony?
Maple trees on the balcony need evenly moist substrate, regular fertilization every 4 weeks and winter protection by insulating the pot and covering the substrate. If necessary, cut back branches that protrude out of shape in spring.
Water with your fingertips – How to do it right
Small maple trees and shrubs have a penchant for consistency. This applies primarily to the water balance. The substrate should be evenly moist, neither powder dry nor dripping wet. A simple finger test is enough to determine the current watering requirement. This is how it works:
- Press your finger 2 cm deep into the substrate regularly (daily in summer) in the morning or evening
- Water the maple when it is noticeably dry
- Pour the water directly onto the root disc until it runs out of the bottom opening of the bucket
- Let the soil surface dry thoroughly until the next watering
Please avoid overhead watering. Wet maple leaves pose a risk of fungal infestation in the summer.
Fertilize every 4 weeks
The limited substrate volume in the bucket only makes a small contribution to the nutrient supply. Give a maple tree in a pot a liquid fertilizer for green plants every 4 weeks from April to September (€13.00 on Amazon). It is important to note that you water before and after with clear water so that the nutrient s alts are completely absorbed by the roots.
Winter protection is mandatory – this is how it works
In the bucket on the balcony, your maple is vulnerable to frost. Therefore, place the vessel on an insulating wooden block in good time. Wrap the pot with bubble wrap or coconut mats. A thick layer of leaves on the substrate ward off the winter cold. To prevent the leaves from blowing away, place coniferous twigs over them.
The water supply is just as important as the protective measures. Maple in a pot is more likely to be at risk of drought stress during the cold season than in summer. Therefore, water on mild days so that the substrate does not dry out completely.
Tip
The slow growth of maple species in pots only requires pruning in exceptional cases. If necessary, cut back out-of-shape branches in early spring, just before growth begins. As long as a cut is limited to the one-year-old wood, the tree will sprout again reliably.
