Impressive Maples in Japan
Leaves that turn into red, yellow, brown, orange, gold, and maroon colors in autumn are mostly equal with Japanese maples due to the color. But do you know that there are Japanese maples that have purple leaves too? That is the Purple Ghost. Acer palmatum is the scientific name for Japanese maples. Cultivation of Japanese maples started in 1700. But the western people got to know about this amazing plant in 1820. England is the first western country to cultivate them.
Bonsai plants are something native to Japan and maples also can be grown as bonsai or even in small pots. But the Japanese maples are native to China, Taiwan, and Korea too. These maples are so sensitive to the all-year changing seasonal changes. The soil that is selected to plant these trees has not to be that much wet or that much dry. Middle level of soil (neither dry, nor wet) is preferred. They have to be protected from strong winds and spring frosts. Japanese maples may grow up to 25 feet in height and width.
Do you know which season is the best to plant Japanese Maples? Autumn is the best. It will take enough time for the growth of the roots before the winter comes. Use compost, decayed leaves or any manure that you use and water the plant after planting. Harmless pests may invade the Japanese maples during the summer. The most critical time for the maples is the spring because the plants are mostly exposed to the outside world during spring. These maples grow well in full shade too even if they need plenty of sunlight. Sun can affect these maples in a negative way because they don’t prefer that much sunlight.They may get burned if you water them in a very hot moment where the weather is too hot.
Japanese Maples are growing slowly and they are very expensive to buy. Is there any reason for Japanese maples to be that much expensive? This is because these plants need more care, time, and more effort from the planters to get a healthy maple tree by spending so much on them. Not only that, but also these Japanese maples take time to grow when compared to other varieties of maples. How did you get to know about the leaf of the maple tree via an image with or without knowing this leaf is a maple leaf? The Canadian national flag has a maple leaf at the middle of the flag. But the Japanese maples are only a subcategory of maples. These Japanese maples are different from other maples due to its color, the time duration it takes for the growth, the way it changes with the climatic changes and so on. You will find over 250 species of Japanese maples.
Even though it is expensive to have a healthy Japanese maple tree, after they grow up to the standards, the maintenance is low. Nutrients are absorbed through the roots of the plant when the roots have attached to the ground well. Some people are used to consume the leaves of this tree in the mode of a salad or after batter frying. Fried maple leaves are something popular in Osaka. It gives a unique taste and the identity of this tree to Asia is implied through it. They do something interesting with these leaves for consumption. Storing these leaves in barrels, adding salt in them and keeping them for about one year is something traditional for them.
There are so many varieties of Japanese maples. Autumn Moon, Beni Kawa, Butterfly, Coonara Pygmy, Villa Taranto, Red Dragon, and Crimson Queen are only a few among them. Japanese maples have seeds named “Samara” that are similar to acorns. “Samara”are green to red in color. They grow ½ to ¾ inch long. Scattering of these fruits takes place via the wind and they ripen between September and October. How do they spread? Through pollinating? From small plants or from the seeds? You should insert a cutting from the mother plant to a seedling for the spread. That may be something you have heard of or not. That process is named as grafting. The flowers of Japanese maples bloom between May and June are pollinated through insects. These flowers have five white petals with five red or purple sepals. Budding, cutting, layering or the tissue culture are some of the other methods of propagation.
Asian people take Japanese maples as very important signs to reach calm, rest or peace. The expensive, care-needed Japanese maples add more value to the garden while increasing the social recognition. The colors that this tree has got can create a more colorful garden of yours while impressing the others. Asian identity will be easily recognized through planting these trees in your place. Not only that, but also the waiting for the colorful autumn season is symbolized by a Japanese maple tree. All the other trees are also represented by this maple in autumn.
Japanese maples bring very valuable health benefits to the human body. Eye infections, burning, the tired eyes after working for so long can be treated by these maples. Liver functions are also improved by this plant because it has flavonoids and potassium. The damaged liver after taking too much alcohol is cured after the usage of Japanese maple tree parts as medicines. This tree provides good herbal medicines for detoxification, hepatic disorders, and rheumatism too. Wild animals get shelter and food from this tree. Violins, guitars, and drums are made with the wood of this tree. Furniture, bowling pins, and baseball bats are also made. Due to the good printing properties of the papers made out of maple trees, these trees are used in the printing works. Preserving apples and root crops are done by these maple leaves. A drink can be made with the sap of this tree which contains sugar and a syrup also can be made and it can be used to sweeten the foods.
