If you are not a gardener, you may wonder why this hobby has become so popular even with city people who have the resources to go to the grocery and get food with much less effort.  Perhaps much of the joy that comes from gardening originated in our baby boomer values that came from those golden “hippie” days of the 1960s.  Part of the ethical and moral system of that time in our cultural history was the “back to the land” movement to get back to our roots and away from the alleged sins of modern society.

From this same movement we got the increased interest in vegetarianism, yoga, natural eating and the environmental movement.  So, while we look back with a bit of chagrin on the idealism and sometimes radical values that this era of baby boomer history represents, there are some very good lifestyle choices that came from that era of our shared lives.  And the love of gardening is one of the good things we kept from that time.

Gardening is a hobby that is unique among pastimes because virtually nothing bad can come of it.  Even if you are a total failure at gardening and don’t produce a single morsel of food from your garden, just the act of working with the earth and making something grow is so therapeutic that it’s worth the effort even if you only grow weeds.

One reason gardening is a wonderful hobby is that it’s simple.  But you can get as sophisticated and scientific at it as you please.  Gardening is like fishing in the way that even if you are terrible at it, it’s entirely worth doing just for the joy of the time you are out there.  There really is nothing comparable in therapy for going out in the garden in the evening after a stressful time at your job.  Working with the soil and spending sometime nurturing and pouring your tender loving care into the garden can make those worries and anxieties of the office melt away.  Then when you come in after an hour of gardening, those cares take on their proper perspective so you can deal with them.

Gardening in creativity for the uncreative.  When you till your garden and prepare your soil, that is like a master painter preparing his paints to produce that masterpiece.  But when you finally open the packages of seeds and have that joy of placing them just so in that carefully prepared soil, there is a sensation of making something happen that is new life and wouldn’t have happened because of you that refreshes even the most cynical baby boomer and puts them in touch with themselves and with nature in a way that is hard to match in any other pastime.

Even the simple act of watering the soil has almost a mystical regenerative power for you which is so refreshing that you will look forward to your time with your garden as much as any other part of your day.  But when that day comes that you rush out to your garden after work and see those young sprouts come up that you so carefully planted and cared for, it’s a little moment of parenting that can bring real joy to your heart.

We know that we did not create the seed and that we are no more than caregivers in helping that plant sprout and then grow into a healthy fruit, herb or vegetable plant.  By becoming part of the cycle of nature when you care for the plants in your garden, it gives you a feeling of completion and connection to God and his creation that could not even be replicated in the best of church services.  Even the most hardened atheist will feel that connection to the eternal by simply spending time with the simple plants of the earth and letting them become part of the life he lives.

So don’t be afraid to put together a small plot of land and begin planning your little garden.  Even if you are an apartment dweller, you can organize a garden with planter boxes and grow lights and get many of the same joys from your little garden that the master garden with acres of crops can get.

The initial stage of planting a Japanese maple tree, whether individually or on a commercial scale, is a decisive moment for the life of plant. Certain cautionary steps can increase the growth rate and this endeavor will turn out to be profitable. The chosen site for the plant should be selected keeping in mind the sunlight, the flow of air and the condition of soil. The digging of the site is the first step when you have made it sure that the site is fulfilling all the necessary elements.

Digging involves certain steps that should be flowed in order to get the desirable results. Take out the soil out of the ground, the amount of soil to be removed from the ground usually depends upon the size of roots but it should span 2 to 3 times the size of the root system. This is to accommodate the future expansion of the roots which need an extra space. If this proportion is ignored at this stage then it is possible that the roots will intermingle with the neighboring trees.

If you are planting the tree for the indoor then it usually involves the use of pots and containers. In that case the structure of roots should be spread across the whole container, this way the plant will easily manage its roots over the period of time. But this process should be done with some caution as roots are most sensitive part of the pant and needs extra attention. Think of the roots as a human brain, they control all the major functions of the plant including transportation of water throughout the plant so too much expansion of roots at this stage can cause them to lose control of the different sections of the plant.

Always try to place the plant in a container in the best possible way which usually means in the centre of the container, this is reminder because at this stage you can easily adjust the position of the plant which becomes quite difficult once the plant is fully established. After doing this you can fill the rest of the container with the suitable soil.

The plant most of the time comes in a bag made up of jute fabric, there is no need to remove them before putting the tree into the soil, the reason behind this suggestion is that the jute fabric will disintegrate by itself. But to make ensure that the roots will spread across easily you can remove this bag. If the bag is made up of any other  non dissolvable material then it should be certainly be removed.

Only smaller shrubs and trees come in the bags, the larger trees are mostly available with baskets. Before planting the larger trees you must remove all the metallic objects attached with the baskets, but it is suggested not to remove the basket as this action can damage the root system that is securely placed inside the basket. One thing that should be taken in account at this stage is to ensure that the roots get easy access to the soil and this can be achieved by drilling some openings into the basket.

After planting the tree make sure to water the plant immediately so that it can recover all the moisturizer that is lost during this hectic job. You can also try making a loop around the tree in order to limit the supply of water only to the single tree, which sometimes proves to be very useful as in most cases without this loop the water will not reach properly to all corners of the tree.

Japanese maples always remind us of the autumn, but this is not an accurate picture of these lovely trees. They can flourish throughout the year, which makes them a plant of every season. The spring season gives them vivid colors like red and copper brown. These may sound too shocking colors, but shocking is not a right word for these lovely trees as they naturally adapt with the ambiance. In summers, the leaves get soft and light colours which add delight to the overall environment. Although the trees carry no leaves in the winter but their structure will be a fresh addition to the surroundings. The colourful stems of some maples will leave an impression on the senses of the viewer.

Adaptable Tree

Different types of Japanese maples can fit in different places and situations and their adaptability makes them handy all the time. Take the example of Weeping range, their bulgy shape appears to be dipping in water when planted near a pool or fountain. This lets the viewer wonder whether fountains are built to adapt with this charming tree. The smaller sizes are usually placed in the busiest parts of the home and offices. This increases their visibility and in this way their charm can be enjoyed by many people. Terrace is another important place in any building and we can add the taller trees here to make them more graceful. Moreover the larger trees can be utilized to make a lane, which will give the fresh feeling to anyone passing through them.

Not only Japanese maples have looks that dazzle the surroundings, they are affordable as well. As with any general item, the rarer they are the more expensive they get. Same is the case with the rare range of these trees, which should not trouble any Japanese maple lover, because it is only the case with the rare species. If you are looking for an affordable maple tree and can sacrifice its vigor for some part of the year then there is handful range waiting for you. Japanese maples with green leaves fall under this category, in autumn you can enjoy the charming colors of orange, yellow and red for which these trees are famous across the globe.

With affordable prices you can easily give exotic look to your favorite places. Planting a Japanese maple is a good idea if you want to stay in the limited budget. The only thing you really have to care about is the trouble of pest. They can give a hard time to the development of the plant, as in some cases they can cause them to die as well. The most commonly available pesticides can prove to be a good option at this stage of growth. But this period of care is limited. Japanese maples will take care of themselves once they reach to a mature stage of age. And you can enjoy the glowing colors of these gorgeous trees.

Once fully planted Japanese maples require a good two-three hour of sunshine in the morning. And in the hottest period of the day you need to use some kind of shading to avoid any damage to the leaves.

In the hotter parts of the world this becomes more of an essential instruction to follow, as shading proves to be a very good way to avoid direct sunlight. If proper care is not shown in this regard it can burn the leaves and eventually will damage the natural colors. These instructions will not sound too much demanding to a plant lover as each plant comes with its own list of do’s and don’ts. Over the time these instructions will become the part of your habits, and you will not feel as you are carrying out any activity. Once you have made them as your habit then you can manage number of plants without any extra burden. This will prove to be beneficial even if you are planning to produce these Japanese maple trees on a commercial level where you have to look after large number of plants.

As with every plant that grows in a pot it becomes rudimentary to change the pot after couple of years, this is true in the case of Japanese maple tree as well. The potted trees are often placed inside the home and offices, and the pot itself plays an important role in the aesthetic aspect of the plant because often the tree is placed inside the buildings as a centre of attraction. The change in the color scheme of the environment can sometime become the reason behind changing the pot of the tree. Moreover hygienically it is desired to change the pot as it can easily become a hideout of contaminated items.

The change will give a new look to the same old maple tree which actually will freshen the environment as well. Experts suggest that the ideal time for this procedure is the middle of spring season. The wisdom behind this act is explained by the gardeners by stating the fact that it is better to change the pot before the emergence of new leaves. There are some simple instructions that are required to be followed to successfully achieve the end results. Moisture plays a vital role for the Japanese maple trees, as the change in the pot will involve the soil to be kept in open air for some time and this can cause the dehydration for the lovely tree. To avoid such situation the plant should be watered regularly before going for such a venture.

The new soil should be fertile enough to fulfill the growing needs of the Japanese maple trees. It is a well known fact that the ideal soil for these trees is of acidic or neutral nature as they cannot tolerate the alkaline soil comfortably. The new soil should confirm these essential requirements so that change may bring favorable results instead of trouble.

Another important factor to keep in mind is that Japanese maple trees are not known for their tolerance for over dosage of water. An over dose can severely damage the root system which eventually will leave the tree with extreme problems. The pot plays a vital role in the drainage of the water, so all the expert recommend that the change in pot is a good opportunity to place some stones at the base of the pot to achieve the safety measure.
The maple tree should be pulled out of the pot avoiding any damage to the leaves and bark. The more gently you will complete the process the more smoothly the plant will pull out from the pot. Hold the base of the tree to achieve greater control over the complete tree. Place some stones in the new pot and make a layer of the soil to cover these stones.  This will ensure the optimal drainage of the water from the pot. Place the tree gently in the new pot, and try to achieve the same altitude of soil as it used to have in the old pot.

Now it is time to fill the pot completely with the new soil. The process of changing the pot ends here but for couple of weeks it should be kept under observation for any unusual event. The new soil should be watered regularly to keep the moisturizing level at a desirable state. If you notice any change in the color of leaves apart from the usual transition then it should not be taken lightly as this might have something to do with the new soil or pot.

Butterfly Japanese maple

It is an excellent choice for a small modest garden. These upright small trees are good for nearly all the seasons. The leaves take different colors with the change in season. The autumn blazes with the red colors and the rest of the year color changes from gray green to bright pink. It doesn’t demand any special treatment except for the usual moisturizer in the soil and protection from extreme sunlight.  Generally it is known to be a small tree and can rise up to 10 feet in height. The leaves have variation in the shapes and most of them are take a curved shape. It has gained amazing popularity due to its vibrant colors that it manifests from time to time depending upon the season.

Filigree Japanese maples

The expert gardeners differentiate between green filigree and its sister breed red filigree. But for a general lover of plants both are same except for their colors. The tree bears dissected leaves which are larger in size in relation to other dissected types of Japanese maples. Moreover what really gives it a delicate look than other is the presence of small white dots, which are not visible from a distance but a closer look to leaves gives a soothing experience to the eyes. It is renowned for its slow growth and few inches of growth can take years but this patience pays off in the end as the charming tree adds beauty to every ambiance. As it is the characteristic of maple trees that they carry a different color in the autumn so this tree is not an exception. The orange colors give it an interesting look through out the fall. The plant carries not a good reputation for facing sunlight so it should be given proper protection from sun.

Higasayama Japanese maples

An amazing piece for structure as it can take the height of 15 feet, and the surprising part is that it can take the width of 15 feet as well. The horizontal growth gives it a touch which most of the maple trees lack and the whole structure looks so elegant that influences the mood of viewer. The new leaves always take the red colors and over the period up till maturity they take a green color blended with pink color. In fall it takes the same color of that it had in its infancy and turns into red. It can also be used as an ornamental tree inside the home and for this purpose a tray or pot can easily be used. The immense fame that it has gained is justified as it changes the whole ambiance with its amazing colors.

Okushimo

The name at first seems a little difficult to pronounce as it comes from Japanese language which translates as salt and paper. This tree belongs to the rare collection of unusual group of Japanese maples. The green colour gets best when it meets this plant. The leaf is an astounding peace of art as it is seven lobed. The experience told the experts that it has a very slow growth and for this reason it is not widely planted all over the world. Although the tree carries a historical background of almost 300 years but the slow growth has become a major hurdle in its popularity. A clear understanding of its growth can be appreciated by knowing the fact that it gains half feet in a decade.

Omurayama

The cascading effect that this tree produces is truly magnificent. The weeping leaves cover the complete perimeter of the plant. The tree lies in the category of small trees and the leaves are deeply dissected. The green color dominates the life of this tree and in only spring do we see a change in the color when it turns into orange. Moreover in the autumn the leaves can take the color of red and gold which not only sounds astonishing but completely changes the ambiance of the garden. The viewers always admire this tree for its magnificent color schemes.

The Japanese maples do not require additional fertilization if the soil is already known to be fertile. Fertilization of soil is a vital element in the overall growth of the maple tree and the experts describe the need of fertile soil as essential. The vibrancy in the color of leaves depend on two important factors; the appropriate sunlight and the fertility of the soil. So to fully appreciate the colors and bloom of these trees it is essential to take in account the proper analysis of the fertility of soil.

If the soil is known to be less fertile then appropriate fertilization for the Japanese maple tree becomes indispensable. The newly planted maple trees require fertilizers for the ideal growth and establishment of the root system. It is generally a well known fact that the best fertilizer to be used at this stage is the one that contains fine amount of phosphorous. The first four month require suitable quantity of this fertilizer so that the plant can have strong roots which will bring the strong grip of soil, this is essentially required for the sustenance of the young maple tree.

Often it is assumed that if a land is known to have fertility then it will maintain this quality over an indefinite period of time. This is not accurate scientifically. Fertility is not a constant state and a land can lose some of it and even can gain it through natural means. The expert gardeners recommend checking the level of fertilization in the ground on yearly basis. If you notice that the trees are losing their vibrant colors that earlier they used to have then it is a good reason for the inspection of soil.

The tall trees can grow exceptionally if they are provided with the recommended amount of fertilizers after couple of years. The small trees and shrubs on the other hand require this attention yearly. If you are unsure about the exact nature of the soil, then tests are conducted to check the exact level of the required elements. It is a good practice to go for such tests as they will bring a clear picture of the problem.

Sometimes the soil is lacking only a specific nutrient and other elements are present in it abundantly, so in this case adding a general fertilizer will not be a feasible solution. It will remove the deficiency of that specific nutrient but eventually it is going to overdose the soil with other nutrients. This is the sole reason behind testing the soil, as it will bring about the exact nutrient that needs to be added in the soil. The general and specific fertilizers are available in the market easily but before buying you should be clear about your choice.
It should be clear enough that fertilizers are only used as a supplementary item and the plant should not rely solely on them.

The amount of fertilization varies for the new trees and the adult trees. These recommended amounts can be confirmed from an expert gardener as they can tell any necessary precaution for a particular Japanese maple tree.  One thing should be kept in mind that adding fertilization in the spring is not a good idea as it will enforce the quick growth of the leaves which in the long term will weaken the plant. In the spring season the plant should be allowed to grow on its natural resources and no artificial element is required at this stage. Fertilizers should be added in the seasons which are not known for any growth.

Any plant passionate should keep in mind that plants are like any other living organism. They can get disease if proper care is not shown towards them. Japanese maple trees can catch some known diseases, but this mostly happens due to some negligence, there is no evidence that suggest that these plants have some track record of genetic ailments. The plant responds back to the any problem either through losing its vibrancy or through other indications. These indicators should not be taken lightly as they are the signs for much bigger trouble ahead.

The most common indication that the plant has caught some ailment is that it starts to wilt and there can be several different reasons behind this symptom ranging from tainted seed, heat stroke, or extra moisturizer in the environment. Most of the time wilting indicates that the water ducts that carry the water to all parts of it have got damaged and as a result the water does not reach to the leaves which then start to lose their vigor. You should not act in a knee jerk fashion to this problem, as sometimes a wrong cure can worsen the whole situation.
Try to analyze where things have gone wrong, what type of negligence you have shown in the past few days.

Knowing where you went wrong solves half of the problem, now after realizing the problem now apply the specific remedy action to fully solve the problem. All the required actions should be taken quickly as unnecessary prolong process can make the situation less likely to cure. After applying the appropriate remedy, try to remove the infected leaves as they can initiate the problem in the future. This can be done in the weekly pruning of the plant to save some time.

Make a habit to provide moisturizers to the plant as clearly many problems arise due to lack of it. You can achieve the required level of moisturizing if you have decided to water the plant on a regular basis.

Pests

There are some known pests that usually feed themselves with the liquid of the plant tissue. As the often camouflage, so it is hard for a naked eye to catch their site. A closer inspection of leaves can reveal their presence on the leaves. This is the reason that the experts suggest closer inspection of the leaves once in a month to avoid such free riders. Once a leaf is infected by these bugs then it usually takes few weeks to show any indication that some alien element is sharing its resources.

Early identification of these bugs can save the leave from total destruction. If the plant is left unnoticed then it is a well known fact that these bugs multiply rapidly and over a very small period of time they will spread across all the leaves of the tree. At that stage they take full control over the resources of the tree and sooner they become a bigger problem for the life of the tree. There are some pesticides available in the market, but they can be useful in the earlier stage of the problem, as statistics reveal that over the period of time it becomes less probable for the tree to sustain. But still if you notice some of them on the leaves then try to analyze complete tree for their presence. If they are present on couple of leaves only then try to remove these leaves immediately.

If you notice that the situation is becoming out of control, then you can ask for professional help that is always available in the nearby nursery. They either will suggest some pesticide or any other appropriate method to solve this problem. As the old golden proverb says, prevention is better than cure, so this is true for this case as well and if you can manage to inspect the leave every once in a while then such encounter with pests can easily be avoided.