Japanese maple propagation?

[Jan]

I have started to see everything as potential bonsai stock (I hear that this is a common affliction).

I have a standard Japanese maple in a large pot that just isn’t happy so I have it in mind to try to propagate several plants from the grafted top and to do the same with trunk pieces (it is about 4 ft high with a weeping dissected leaf variety grafted on top). I’m planing on trying to “recycle” this plant in Spring.

I’ve read elsewhere on the forum that Japanese maples can be difficult to strike as cuttings; what would be the best way to go about this? Cuttings? Air layers?

I’m also considering a major chop on it and graft some of the top on to start again. Does anyone have tips on getting a smooth, natural looking graft (I’ve certainly seen some shockers on nursery plants)?

Jan.

[Mitchell]

I can't speak on behalf of others and do not believe I have read the thread you mentioned.

3 weeks ago I took over 100 cuttings from a Japanese maple of various sizes, from 1mm thick to 15mm. I left 1-4 leaves on each cutting, dipped in rooting hormone then planted in sand. Over the last week, all leaves went black, I thought all the cuttings were dead. Over the last two days the black leaves have fallen off and every single cutting now has over 5 new buds shooting. It appears as though 99% of them will survive.

Good luck what ever you choose to do.

[kvan64]

Cuttings work for me too. I used propagating sand and coco peat moss. Keep them moist and in heavy shade. I got about 60% survival rate without rooting hormone.

[Ellen]

I will have to try doing cuttings. I have been collecting seedlings from my mature Japanese maple - about 60 years old - but have only found three this year.

[Jan]

Thanks Mitchell and kvan64.

I'll try some cuttings in spring - it's cooling off a bit here so I think I might have better luck in suitable weather conditions.

It's good to know it is possible.

Jan