Maple - Does it need to be grafted?

[Pearcy001]

I have a maple growing in my yard. I am only guessing but it seems to be a Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis'? - Thanks Google







I've read that to survive they need so be grafter onto stronger root stock, but I was wondering if this is a necessity?

Would cuttings strike or is it all just a pointless waste of time?

Cheers,
Pearcy.

[kcpoole]

Some dissectums will quite happily survive on their own roots, so give it a go.
I have i that I have grown from cutting, but have no idea of variety.

I would try to layer a section off and see how that goes.

Ken

[shibui]

Weeping palmatum vars are generally quite weak on their own roots. 98% of weeping seedlings I germinate die within the first 12 months if I leave them growing on their own roots but occasionally you do get a stronger one that can survive.
It is not going to cost much in equipment or time to try striking cutting so why not give it a go? You may find out something the rest of have missed.
I find any maple cuttings quite difficult to strike. Most sprout new leaves then die off one at a time until none left. This year I have used a fungicide treatment on the cuttings (upright varieties that should have stronger roots) and again after they sprouted new shoots and they are looking far better than ever before

Good luck.

[Pearcy001]

Thanks Ken and Neil.

I'll give the air layer a go and try strike a few cuttings too. I think I read once that you need to try strike the upright growing ones, as the horizontal ones are more likely not to survive?

Re the air layer. I attempted my first ever layer this afternoon on a Japanese Maple I have growing in my front yard.



The layer has since been wrapped in foil to block the light. It was alot easier than I thought it would be. I'll give the Weeping Maple a go one night this week.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Truth]

Nice layer, looks like good material to start on. I have about 5 layers on similar sized branches on trees in front of my place too.