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Fertilization
It is always the million dollar question: How do I fertilize my maple tree? To answer this we have to under stand a couple of things. First, that maples have a relatively low nutrient requirement when compared to other ornamental and garden plants. Second, the effects of fertilizers can be quite detrimental to maples, especially the root system. It is helpful to consider the idea of "when in doubt" don't fertilize or use much less than you think you need.
The most heated fertilizer discussion usually pertains to potted plants, but we will want to fertilize our landscape plants also. To be up front about things, we strongly believe in fertilization and regularly scheduled fertilization at that. We have also used the wait and see approach where we observe the plants and then fertilize based on what they tell us, but most of out potting mixes drain so quickly that we lose a great deal of nutrients through watering and they need to be replaced. We have to consider seasonal fertilization and fertilizers that offer both immediate and prolonged nutrient supplies. We also must focus on micronutrient delivery and what we consider "booster" applications of water soluble fertilizers when the time is right.
Here is a sample plant for maples in 3 gallon or larger containers:
Spring
During bud-swell apply an immediate release granular fertilizer that is complete as possible. Using some thing with a 2-3-2 ratio will work nice. This would be the same as 4-6-4 or 8-12-8. Some vegetable fertilizers are very good for this purpose and often contain the 6-8% Calcium that is very desirable. A few weeks later apply some Magnesium Sulfate (MgS04, Epsom Salts). The addition of the magnesium can be done yearly or less frequently depending on preference.
Summer
Since we have used an immediate release in the spring we want to give the plants a boost before the hot summer months. This is where we want to use the water soluble liquid fertilizer. Again this is a preference as to what you use but you want to make sure the dilution of the fertilizer meets the ratio discussed above and that the nitrogen component stays near 6. Usually water soluble products use a urea or immediate acting form of nitrogen so you do not need a lot. Remember that maples to not have high nutritional needs. You can use a 1/4 strength Miracle Grow or Miracid product as not to make it to complicated. We generally do not recommend organic liquids or fish emulsions as they can cause some soil toxicity and often do not give quick action. This little boost of fertilizer can give the plant what it needs to pull though the hot summer and prepare it for summer growth.
Fall
In the fall we have made it practice to use granular 0-10-10 on potted and landscape maples. We will use a teaspoonful on 3-5 gallon plants and multiples of that on larger plants. This can be applied just as the leaves begin to turn. For us in Oregon that is usually near the end of October. It should be applied to wet soil, as with all fertilizers, and then watered in. The granular 0-10-10 is often very hard to find and the liquid should not be substituted. We never recommend the 0-10-10 liquid derived from fish emulsion. You want an entirely inorganic product when using liquids or there is a liquid concentrate derived from the Yucca plant that works well for applications at other times of the season.
Micronutrients, Tonics and other Potions
(Coming Soon!)
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