How to Root Japanese Maples from Cutting

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Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are the quintessential deciduous bonsai. They are prized for their vibrant colors, delicate leaves, and graceful forms, making them ideal for bonsai practitioners and horticulturists alike. Propagating these beautiful trees from cuttings can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to expand your bonsai collection or enhance your garden. Here’s a comprehensive guide to successfully rooting Japanese maples from cuttings.

1. Selecting the Cuttings

The best time to take cuttings is during mid spring when the first flush of growth has fully hardened off. In my climate of the Piedmont region of North Carolina, this is usually from late April to mid May depending on the cultivar. Choose healthy, disease-free branches for your Japanese maple cuttings. You want to select vigorous new shoots that “snap” as apposed to flexing or bending.

2. Preparing the Cuttings

Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears to make a clean cut at the location you want roots to grow. Japanese maples will root from internodes, so cutting between nodes is effective. Try to leave no more than 2.5 inches of distance from the cut to the nearest node. Remove leaves from the lower half of the cuttings to reduce moisture loss and encourage root growth. Leave the upper leaves intact to support photosynthesis. I usually leave 2-3 leaves per cutting.

3. Rooting Hormone Treatment

Dip the cut end of each cutting in rooting hormone to stimulate root development. You can use powder, liquid or gel forms of rooting hormone. I have the best results with Clonex rooting gel (https://amzn.to/4cfWvi0). Rooting hormones contain auxins that promote the formation of new roots. I have experienced better results with long dip times in the hormone.

4. Choosing the Growing Medium

Japanese maples thrive in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Use a mix containing perlite and peat moss. My mix contains three parts perlite (https://amzn.to/3xBNKje) and 1 part Pro-Mix (https://amzn.to/3RNay6u). Pro-Mix is a soil mix consisting of peat moss with mycorrhizae and perlite. My mix of 3:1 perlite to Pro-Mix ensures optimal drainage and moisture retention for roots to form.

5. Planting the Cuttings

Fill pots or trays with growing medium and water thoroughly. I use seedling trays (https://amzn.to/4ciagfQ) to maximize the amount of cuttings I can plant. Make a hole in the growing medium with a pencil or chop stick and gently insert the cutting, Press the soil gently around the cutting for good contact. Space cuttings a few inches apart.

Planted cuttings from Acer Palmatum ‘Seigen’

6. Providing Ideal Conditions

Place pots or trays in a sheltered spot with indirect sunlight. Protect from harsh sunlight and drying winds, which can desiccate the cuttings. Ensure soil is somewhat moist but not waterlogged throughout the rooting process. I place humidity domes (https://amzn.to/3VJOR8e) over the seedling trays and store the trays under my bonsai bench.

‘Nishiki Gawa’ cuttings protected from sun and wind.

7. Monitoring and Care

Check cuttings regularly for signs of growth. New leaves or shoots may indicate successful root development, which typically takes several weeks to months depending on the cultivar. Most cultivars will have roots within 3 to 4 weeks. Mist lightly if humidity is low, avoiding overwatering to prevent rot.

Evidence that ‘Nishiki Gawa’ cuttings have rooted

8. Transplanting

Once cuttings have developed roots (visible roots or slight resistance when gently tugged), transplant into individual pots. I prefer to start growing my rooted cuttings in 2” seedling pots (https://amzn.to/3VJZbNE) as the smaller volume allows me to build an established root system quickly. Place transplanted rooted cuttings in a location with dappled sunlight and monitor growth and water needs.

Transplanting a rooted cutting from Acer Palmatum ‘Seigen’

9. After Care

Japanese maples prefer well-draining soil, consistent moisture, and dappled sunlight. Protect from strong winds and extreme temperatures, especially while plants are young. Begin lightly fertilizing your Japanese maples once they are rooted. My recommended fertilizer for rooted Japanese maple cuttings is General Organics BioRoot (https://amzn.to/3ziFvZH) and CalMag (https://amzn.to/3VZTJHS). I fertilize my cuttings with 1 tsp of both fertilizes mixed together at least once per week until dormancy. Winter protection is critical for the first winter. Place rooted cuttings in an unheated garage or greenhouse for winter storage.

Excellent root growth from BioRoot and CaMg+

10. Enjoying Your Japanese Maples

As rooted Japanese maples grow, their stunning foliage and elegant forms will enhance your bonsai collection or garden. Whether propagating Japanese maples for bonsai or using them as focal points in a landscape, these trees are sure to captivate with their seasonal beauty.

Propagating Japanese maples from cuttings can enrich your bonsai collections and gardens while preserving their unique traits. I hope you find this guide useful and are inspired to start propagating your own Japanese maple bonsai. Happy Gardening!