Planting the fan maple variety Atropurpureum and the secrets of caring for it

Planting of the Atropurpureum fan maple should be carried out taking into account the climatic conditions in the area of ​​intended cultivation. This type of ornamental plants does not tolerate severe frosts. At air temperatures below 28-30 degrees in a negative value, the tree will freeze over. Optimal conditions for it are a warm, humid climate, moderately moist soil, good lighting, mild, not too frosty winters.

Atropurpureum fan maple is not very picky about the composition of the soil, but prefers acidic or slightly alkaline soils. The root system is shallow, so if the maple grows in a highly illuminated area in direct sunlight, it is better to mulch the roots. If possible, it is desirable to determine a place for this plant in partial shade. Experts often argue that the cultivation of such a pet in most areas of our country is futile, since it simply will not survive the winter. Based on their opinion, many gardeners deny themselves the pleasure of acquiring this plant. However, as it turned out, there are some tricks to deal with even negative, compelling circumstances such as a harsh climate.

Landing rules

Planting is carried out in spring or autumn. First you need to prepare the pit. It should be 70 cm deep, and about half a meter long and wide. The bottom should be loosened thoroughly to the maximum possible depth using a fork. It is advisable to place a drain, especially if the groundwater is high enough. When planting, complete mineral fertilization should be applied, in this case, the plant can no longer be fertilized throughout the season. Having placed the root in the hole, it is necessary to cover it with soil. The recommended composition in this case is humus, turf soil, sand in a ratio of 3: 2: 1. The root collar should be located at ground level or with a slight deepening - no more than 5 cm.

It is worth noting that rather large, grown seedlings are already planted in open ground. If you want to grow maple from seed, then planting in the ground is preceded by a rather long period of preparation and germination, then caring for small seedlings. Only when they reach about 30 cm in height can they be planted in a permanent place. It is better to buy a seedling in a nursery, it is easier and saves a lot of time. But self-cultivation of maple from seed will save money. Which option to give preference is up to the gardener. If, nevertheless, the choice falls on the second, then you should know that you need to germinate fresh seeds collected in mid-autumn. In a vegetative way, fan maple propagates with great difficulty.

If maple is supposed to be used as a hedge or for local zoning, specimens can be placed at intervals of 1.5 m.In other cases, when each maple is used as a separate element of landscape design, the recommended distance between trees is at least two meters. In both cases, the fan maple Atropurpureum is used very successfully, since it not only has very spectacular, bright foliage and fruits, but also has a rather dense crown, as well as an optimal compact size.

Plant care

The fan maple is quite picky, it will not grow like a weed, unlike some representatives of the same genus, for example the American maple. He needs care and attention:

• fertilization;
• watering, if necessary, moisturizing the foliage;
• loosening the soil;
• weeding;
• removal of damaged branches and oversized leaves;
• mulching;
• shelter for the winter.

Watering maple is necessary taking into account the amount of precipitation. In a very dry summer, weekly watering is recommended, 15 liters of water at a time, in other cases, once a month is enough. The only exception is the first time after landing. During this period, the plant needs a double rate of water. If the summer is particularly dry or the climatic conditions in the planting area are too dry, it is recommended to periodically spray the crown of the tree with a spray bottle. This should be done only with full confidence that the direct rays of the sun will not damage the moist foliage, for example, in the evening.

If the required amount of fertilizer was added during planting, then the next application is carried out after a year. 1 m² in the spring you should add:

• potassium salts - 25 g;
• superphosphate - 40 g;
• urea - 40 g

Later, already in the summer, the fan maple can be fed with special fertilizers for heathers during loosening. This should be done in moderation, so as not to provoke fungal diseases and not to weaken the plant before winter. Wintering is generally the most dangerous moment for this maple variety. The fertilization procedure greatly affects its result. You should know that feeding with nitrogen fertilizers should be stopped from the beginning of August. In early September, it is advisable to apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizers with trace elements. This measure will help the wood of the tree to mature better. It is unripe wood (for example, as a result of oversaturation with fertilizers for heather) that most often leads to the death of the plant.

Caring for this pet includes mulching, among other things. Maple, as mentioned earlier, has a shallow root system. This arrangement of the roots in winter is dangerous for the plant. Small roots are more likely to freeze out, which can provoke partial or complete death of the plant. In the summer, mulch will help prevent rapid evaporation of moisture, and will also serve as additional nutrition. It is advisable to mulch with sawdust, peat, tree bark, etc., positioning them so that they do not touch the trunk.

In addition to all this, the fan maple needs to loosen the soil, weed and remove excess branches, large and damaged leaves. Branches can be cut only during the dormant period of the plant. The word "extra" in this case means the branches of an adult or old tree, which interfere with the flow of air and light to the trunk, and also create the effect of a shapeless crown. When there are no leaves on the tree, it is much easier to identify the extra branches. You can form a beautiful crown, emphasize its advantages, which are lost when too thick branches are covered with foliage. Having removed them, the cut site must be immediately disinfected and protected.

For the comfortable development of maple, it is necessary to remove too large leaves, pinch the shoots as necessary so that the crown has a neat, attractive appearance. Fallen leaves must be removed completely. This will prevent damage to the plant by various diseases and pests. If the leaves suddenly begin to wither and fall off themselves long before the due date, you should not immediately despair, perhaps you should pay attention to the moisture content of the soil. In this case, it is enough to adjust the watering.

Secrets of preparing for wintering

This is the most important and crucial moment. Preparation for it begins in advance. The application of nitrogen fertilizers should be stopped in early August, watering and loosening of the soil - in early September. This will prevent new shoots from emerging. After the leaves fall off, remove them completely. With the onset of the first frost, it is advisable to spray maple with a 3% solution of any preparation containing copper.

Having prepared the plant in this way, you should cover it. Garden fleece works well for this.However, even so there is no guarantee that the tree will overwinter. There is one way to preserve maple in winter in areas where winters are particularly harsh. To do this, you need to plant it in a tub. The compact root system allows this. If the maple grows in a tub, it can be brought into a cool, darkened room for the winter with an air temperature of about + 5 degrees. Or leave it directly on the street, laying it all along with the tub on one side in a shallow trench and covering it completely.

Advice

If you plant a maple in a tub, you can move it as you want and need, for example, in order to maintain optimal lighting conditions.

Growing maple in a tub has its own characteristics. If the plant has wintered in a cool, dark room, in no case should it be harshly exposed to the sun. This will lead to the fact that it will die. First it must be placed in the shade, then gradually it will get used to the light, and it can be moved to a permanent place. When laying maple for the winter in a trench, care should be taken to ensure that it is fixed in a certain way. If all the load falls on the branches, they can break. It is better to put additional support under the trunk in several places, and then cover the entire plant. In winter it will be covered with snow, and the air temperature in the shelter will just reach a comfortable -5 degrees.

Planting the Atropurpureum fan maple is usually done when decorating a plot in Japanese or any other oriental style. However, it looks great in other characteristic motives. It is recommended to combine it with low-growing perennials, various conifers... Fan maple fits well in the neighborhood with garden geranium, daylilies, cereals. In whatever design this tree is placed, one thing will remain unchanged: the fan maple Atropurpureum will not get lost and will not go unnoticed. Its bright crimson leaves and no less beautiful fruits will always attract the eye. Contrasting with the dark green conifers, this maple variety will be the jewel in the garden.