Japanese maples can be vulnerable to the intense heat and dry conditions of summer. These fiery red trees are generally very hardy plants that will grow fine even during the hotter summer months, especially as they mature. However, these plants will need a little help to navigate through these hotter times slightly so that they remain healthy and vibrant throughout the year.
According to gardening pro Michael Francis at Maple Ridge Nursery, watering is one of the key things to focus on to get Japanese maples through summer. However, the amount of water to use is something many owners fail to get right. Michael urged, “Watering is crucial for Japanese maples during summer. These trees prefer consistently moist soil but can suffer from overwatering. Water frequency can vary greatly by climate and situation.”
He recommends owners aim to water deeply up to three times per week for newly planted trees and “no more than once per week” for established trees.
Rainwater typically will take care of your established Japanese maples, but you want to make sure they still get a deep watering at least once every couple of weeks.
Owners must regularly check the moisture level of the soil around their Japanese maple. To do so, insert your finger or a moisture meter about one to two inches into the soil. If the soil feels dry at this depth, it’s time to water. Keeping an eye on soil moisture helps prevent both under- and overwatering.
When you water Japanese maples, you want to make sure to give them a deep watering. The expert said, “This means at least five minutes of watering.”
Deep watering for your planted Japanese maples will help promote deeper roots, which will help make your tree more drought-resistant.
When it comes to Japanese maples in containers, they will require a “deep watering nearly every other day” during the hot summer months.
For potted Japanese maples, you want to water until you see the water draining out of the bottom of the container. This ensures that the entire root system is getting hydrated.
Make sure to avoid watering Japanese maples from the top, as wet foliage can lead to fungal diseases and leaf scorch in the hot sun.
Japanese maples are only going to drink water from the roots, so there is no benefit from watering the leaves.
As the weather cools down in the autumn, Japanese maples will require less water.
