The cultivation method of red maple cuttings is the method of cultivating red maple trees.

Cultivation Method of Maple Seedlings

Answering questions about the cultivation method of maple seedlings for netizens, the following is an introduction by the editor.

Cultivation Method of Maple Seedlings

The maple is a wild plant that can tolerate poor soil to some extent, but it prefers deep, fertile, loose soil rich in humus. After preparing or mixing the soil, it should be dried in the sun repeatedly on sunny days to kill germs and prevent future problems. Before planting, necessary pruning should be done on the roots and branches of the maple seedlings. When planting, it is best to create a suitable soil environment for the maple seedlings.

Pre-planting Preparation

1. Choosing the Right Pot

To ensure the permeability of the soil in the pot and prevent waterlogging, it is recommended to choose a terracotta or purple sand pot with good breathability and leakage; its size and depth should be determined based on the size, growth, and root system of the seedlings.

Generally, since the maple is a deep-rooted tree, a slightly larger and deeper pot is suitable for planting. This not only facilitates root expansion but also helps in nutrient storage and water retention, ensuring a stable living foundation and logistics (G-Y) for the seedlings.

2. Preparing the Soil

The maple prefers deep, fertile, loose soil rich in humus. Therefore, when preparing the soil, try to select it accordingly.

After the soil is prepared or mixed, it should be dried in the sun repeatedly on sunny days to kill germs and prevent future problems.

3. Pre-planting Pruning

Before planting, necessary pruning should be done on the roots and branches of the maple seedlings.

When pruning the roots, first remove the decayed and damaged roots, then cut off the fibrous roots that are too long and affect planting. When pruning branches, retain the main stems and branches that maintain the tree's vigor, and keep some new branches.

At the same time, cut off the long branches and those that affect the tree shape to give it a general shape.

4. Wound Treatment

Since the maple seedlings have undergone two prunings before and after digging, both the roots and stems have experienced unprecedented "injuries," resulting in many wounded surfaces.

Before planting, it is advisable to disinfect the roots and apply healing agents to the wounds larger than 1 centimeter on the stems.

5. Soaking in Rooting Hormone Solution

After the roots and stem wounds are treated and after a 4 to 5-hour interval, soak the roots of the maple seedlings in a diluted rooting hormone solution before planting.

Planting

When planting maple seedlings, it is best to create a suitable soil environment for them, as this is the foundation for their survival and development and a necessary condition for determining their growth quality.

1. Laying a Filter Mesh

Generally, the bottom of the pot is designed with holes to prevent waterlogging. Therefore, to prevent soil loss when watering, you can first lay a layer of filter mesh at the bottom of the pot.

2. Adding Small Stones

In addition to ensuring necessary leakage and waterproofing, the pot environment should also maintain soil breathability, making the soil and roots more vibrant in the pot. Therefore, you can lay a layer of small stones about 1 centimeter thick on the filter mesh.

3. Adding Potting Soil

After the small stones are laid, it's time to add the potting soil. Generally, the depth of the potting soil should be slightly lower than the edge of the pot by 2 to 3 centimeters after planting the seedlings. This can prevent soil overflow when watering or making a mess when loosening the soil.

4. Planting

When planting the maple, first determine the width and depth of the hole based on the size of the roots, then straighten the plant, spread the roots, cover the soil, press it down, and water thoroughly.

5. Placement Location

The newly planted maple should be placed in a warm, well-ventilated environment without direct sunlight until it survives, and then moved to a sunny, well-ventilated balcony or courtyard. In case of late spring cold snaps and heavy rain, it is advisable to shield it from the wind and cold or move it indoors.

Shaping and Maintenance

With the gradual warming of spring temperatures, maple seedlings will continuously sprout and grow branches, but it is not very suitable for major pruning at this time. It is best to wait until the following winter and spring.

1. Shaping

Maple seedlings can be shaped in winter and spring, with early spring being the most suitable time. This is because the sap is about to flow, and the branches are becoming soft and not as rigid as in winter.

At this time, you can use wire and other auxiliary tools to create the desired shape.

2. Pinching

To make the maple seedlings lush and the leaves as red as flames, it is common to pinch the necessary young branches to encourage more new branches and leaves. Therefore, pinching in spring every year is necessary.

3. Pruning

Spring and summer are the most vigorous growth seasons for maples, making minor pruning a common task.

Ill leaves and branches must be pruned; followed by overlapping branches that affect sunlight and ventilation; and then branches that affect tree vigor and shape. This is beneficial for sunlight and ventilation and helps the tree grow well.

4. Leaf Removal

In the process of maintenance, it is often found that the leaves do not turn red when they should, or they do not turn red enough, which is often caused by improper early maintenance, leading to excessive chlorophyll content.

Therefore, we can remove the old leaves to allow new leaves to grow, dominated by xanthophyll and carotene. It is important to note that the timing of leaf removal should not be too early or too late, and it is recommended to do it when the temperature is between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, when removing leaves, it is not advisable to do it directly to avoid injuring the leaf buds, but rather to cut the leaves slightly above the connection between the petiole and the stem.

The above shares a detailed introduction to the cultivation method of maple seedlings, hoping to bring some knowledge of flowers to flower enthusiasts.