 |
|
| Growing Maples in the Hot Dry West | |
|
In Southern California and other areas where the summers are hot and dry, and the water is hard, maples face difficult conditions. Leaf margin burn is common in late summer if care is not taken with watering, siting and soil. Special attention must be taken to be sure that siting provides adequate shade during the hottest time of the day, and that watering practices allow for constant moisture to the roots.
The most difficult and crucial problem in these areas, however, is water quality. Most of these areas with annual rainfall of under 20 inches have water that is alkaline and high in mineral salts. This means that gypsum must be added to the soil and the drainage improved so that the water can move through the soil easily. Periodic leaching (heavy watering) of the plantings must also be done to wash away salt buildup. If your maples are grown in containers they should be planted in an "Azalea Mix", "Orchid Mix" or other acid potting mix, and watered with stored rain-water, water from a fish pond, or tap water that has one Tablespoon of distilled white vinegar added to each 5 gallons and allowed to stand overnight. If this is not possible, then the containers should be watered so that water runs freely from the drain-holes each time the tree is watered. The use of very high quality fertilizers in very small quantities and the addition of Pro-Tekt once a week to your usual care will also help keep your maples beautiful all year. Maples for Hot, Dry Areas take the heat of these locations well, and this list is also available as a comparative chart.
|
|
|