Rough Bark Japanese Maple, Acer Palmatum ’Arakawa’

[Scott Roxburgh]

In early spring I took some cuttings of a rough bark japanese maple 'arakawa'.

On Sunday I potted some of the cuttings up into training pots so that they would get a head start on spring growth.

acer-palmatum-arakawa-cuttings-in-tray.jpg

acer-palmatum-arakawa-cuttings-roots.jpg

acer-palmatum-arakawa-cuttings-in-pot.jpg

acer-palmatum-arakawa-cuttings-post-watering.jpg

If anyone is looking for arakawa on its on roots for bonsai, let me know in Spring.

More on the blog...

[Andrew F]

Great work Scott, Nice healthy roots. Look forward to an update in spring.

[Jason.S]

Nicely done Scott, keep us updated.

Would love to get a Rough Bark Japanese Maple for my collection too. How temperamental are they to grow and do you think they would cope over here with Adelaide's weather?

[Scott Roxburgh]

Red, I haven't grown them before this season so I am unsure how tempremental they are? I assume the same, or maybe a little weaker than straight JM, it is just rough bark???

Whether they would cope with Adelaide temps would more come down to the care they were given. I water with an auto system to drop temps in Summer, but our temps would be about the same, I think they'd be fine though.

[shibui]

Always fancied an A.P. 'arakawa'. Put my name on one of those please Scott

[Jason.S]

Sounds like its worth a crack, put my name down for one too. Cant wait to see how they go.

[GavinG]

What's your trick with maple cuttings? I've never had success.

Gavin

[Scott Roxburgh]

A good question for Shibui...

I've not had a huge problem with maples, trident strike pretty easy, JM just take a little longer.

Best tip I can give is use one of the mini green houses, it makes it easier to moderate the humidity, and use a bit of sphagnum but don't let it get too wet.

[Luke308]

Yes please!!!


I would love one. Can we see a photo of the parent tree? Also how did you come across this cultivar? The one I mentioned when I messaged you is A.palmatum "nishiki arakawa" I dont know how they differ so it would be interesting to see the parent tree.

Thanks,

Luke

[Carlitos]

Look like a fantastic plant to get growing if you can get one down to Melbourne!

[Luke308]

Yes please!!!


I would love one. Can we see a photo of the parent tree? Also how did you come across this cultivar? The one I mentioned when I messaged you is A.palmatum "nishiki arakawa" I dont know how they differ so it would be interesting to see the parent tree.

Thanks,

Luke

Sorry I got the cultivar wrong it is actually nishiki gawa not nishiki arakawa. It is the corky bark or "pine bark" maple http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=nishi ... s:21,i:157 http://www.flickr.com/photos/wbla/5286352493/
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=nishi ... ,s:0,i:101

[Scott Roxburgh]

Interesting Luke, I'll try to get a pic of the tree that I took the cuttings off, although it is in someone's yard...

The pics you showed are very similar to these cuttings, I am not sure whether Arakawa is a cultivar or just a description of the bark?

Maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

[Jow]

Arakawa in Japanese simply means rough bark. Dunno if that helps or hinders?

[Luke308]

Interesting Luke, I'll try to get a pic of the tree that I took the cuttings off, although it is in someone's yard...

The pics you showed are very similar to these cuttings, I am not sure whether Arakawa is a cultivar or just a description of the bark?

Maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

I saw my mate from Melbourne who has the nishiki gawa on Anzac day, and asked him about the difference. He told me his is more of a corky bark (with bark starting with little warts) as opposed to rough bark which Jow correctly pointed out translates to Arakawa in Japanese. He then showed me the difference between two types of Chinese Elm bonsai (we were at a friends house). One was the Hokkaido, and the other I think was a Seiju however I can not remember exactly which was which. The difference was one was simply rough bark, and the other was more cork like and thicker bark kinda like this http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=ulmus ... 2,s:0,i:69

A.palmatum arakawa is apparently more common in Australia than nishiki gawa, however, I saw 3 of the nishiki gawa variety on the same day at my friends house, so they are available. Both cultivars look great regardless, so all this means to me is I want both varieties now

[Dario]

Hi Scott, I too would like a couple of cuttings if you have enough to go around!
Please pm me when you are ready to send them.
Cheers, Dario.