Acer Palmatum Beni-Maiko | Japanese Maple (3 litre pot | grafted)

Maple trees are easy to grow. Your trees growth and output will likely be fine providing you followed our planting and care instructions. Below we address some common queries: Hardiness: maples can be found growing throughout temperate regions of the world and are well adapted to the UK's climate. Position: Japanese maples are suited to dappled shade, while Red and Norwegian maples are suited to full sun. Planting your tree in a sheltered spot will help prevent uprooting in strong winds. Soil Types: soil types are best ignored and remain an unwelcome confusion. Every plant will adapt to its conditions. Having said that, less than ideal conditions will reduce growth. Waterlogged soils will starve your tree of oxygen, which plays a key role in photosynthesis, cause its roots to rot and create the perfect environment for many diseases. Similarly, compressed soils can starve a tree of oxygen and water, so do not compress the soil when planting. Aeration can be improved further with mulching. Planting In Pots:Japanese maples are perfect for pots and benefit from slightly acidic soil. Potting with a mix of ericaceous compost and garden soil will produce a slightly acidic pH and best soil structure overall. You may find that pH will rise overtime, but you can maintain acidity by watering with rainwater and using pine needles and conifer bark as mulch. Larger species of maple will suffice in pots, but growth will be restricted. This can be beneficial as they can grow quite largeAdvice on hot and droopy plants If your plants are looking a little wilted right now, don't worry! Plants like to be filled with water to keep their structure, and when it's hot that water evaporates. Just give them an off-schedule watering and they'll be right as rain in no time! Be careful not to flood them - plants don't like extremes. Pots and Packaging Larger pots (2L and above) are wrapped in waxed paper and then attached to a cardboard base so they stay stable in the box. The waxed paper prevents the compost from spilling out and gives the base some added protection from damp compost. For large numbers of plants, pallets may be used for shipping. Preparation The nursery will ensure the plant is moist while it's waiting to be picked up. Our quality control team waters the plant before packing them where necessary to make sure that the plant is suitably watered for transport. Plants with long delicate stems are secured with canes to prevent damage. Plant on Arrival Typically plants are delivered ready to plant and will take some time to settle, grow and look more like the product image above. Key is to regularly water newly-planted trees, at least bimonthly for two months. It is also important to ensure you choose a location where your tree has enough space, which you can calculate from a variety's eventual height and spread. Bare root & containerised trees have different planting requirements. With bare root, it is important to soak your tree's roots in water for up to 2 hours before planting, while with containerised trees it is important to drench your tree's rootball. With bare root it can be useful to prune woody roots back a few inches, while with containerised trees, it is important to free any spiralized roots growing around the rootball's circumference. With bare root trees, dig a hole so as to ensure the graft point is above the soil, while with containerised trees, ensure the pot sits no lower than an inch below ground. Bare root & containerised trees also share planting requirements. Dig a hole twice the radius of the rootball. Stake your tree no more than 2-3 inches from the stem, pointing away from the prevailing wind. Fill the hole with a mix of compost and garden soil, and add fertiliser and mycorrhizal fungi. Do not compress the soil. Give your tree a good watering. Add mulch on top whether bark and wood chippings, compost, manure, leaf-mould and stones. Make sure mulch doesn't touch the stem. Tie the stake to your tree, leaving space for growth. Place a rabbit guard around your tree. Apply fertiliser and replace decomposed mulch come spring. Check ties to ensure there is no rubbing. Collect fallen leaves in autumn.The fiery palmatum with both three and five lobed leaves 'Beni Maiko' is a stunning dwarf Maple, perfect for smaller-sized gardens or growing in a pot on your patio. It forms beautiful, fire-red leaves in early spring, and as they mature, this colour switches to a pink shade with subtle green undertones. The leaves will additionally appear lighter and more feathery in texture too as the year wears on! The truly unique combination of three-lobed and five-lobed leaves makes 'Beni Maiko' one of the most sought after acers back in Japan and over here too. As such, it has proudly achieved the RHS 'Award of Garden Merit'.The fiery palmatum with both three and five lobed leaves 'Beni Maiko' is a stunning dwarf Maple, perfect for smaller-sized gardens or growing in a pot on your patio. It f