The Golden Full Moon Maple: A Magnificent Addition to Your Garden
The Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’, also known as the Golden Full Moon Maple, is a magnificent shrub or small tree that is native to Japan. This beautiful plant gets its common name from its leaves, which are shaped like a full moon and turn golden-yellow during the fall season.
In this article, we will explore the key features and characteristics of this plant, as well as its cultivation and care requirements.
Overview of the Plant
Common Names: Golden Full Moon Maple, Japanese Maple
Vernacular Names: Momiji, ‘Aureum’
Description:
The Golden Full Moon Maple is a deciduous shrub or small tree that grows up to 20 feet tall and wide. Its leaves are five-lobed and deeply cut, with a distinctive yellow-green or golden-yellow color that brightens up any garden.
The tree’s bark is smooth and gray, while its flowers are small and not very showy. Its fruit is a winged samara that measures about 1 to 1.5 inches long.
Characteristics:
The Golden Full Moon Maple is prized for its stunning foliage, which provides an excellent fall color display. It grows slowly, attaining a mature height of 15 to 20 feet in about 20 years.
This plant is also very low-maintenance and deer-resistant, making it an ideal addition to any garden. The tree provides a valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife, which feed on its seeds and shelter in its thick foliage.
Plant Cultivation and Care
Preferred Growing Conditions:
The Golden Full Moon Maple prefers a shady or partially sunny location with well-draining soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8 and can tolerate temperatures as low as -20F.
It grows best in areas with cool summers and mild winters. This plant is not very drought-tolerant and requires regular watering, especially during the first few years of growth.
Potential Pest and Disease Issues:
The Golden Full Moon Maple is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, although it can be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, and powdery mildew. To prevent these problems, it’s important to keep the plant well-watered and to prune it regularly to promote good air circulation.
Planting and Maintenance Tips:
When planting the Golden Full Moon Maple, choose a location that is protected from strong winds and direct sunlight. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and fill it with well-draining soil.
Mulch the plant with organic matter to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water the plant regularly, especially during the first few years of growth.
Prune the tree in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches and to shape the plant as desired.
Conclusion
The Golden Full Moon Maple is a stunning plant that adds beauty and interest to any garden. With its attractive foliage, low-maintenance requirements, and excellent fall color, this plant is well worth considering for your landscaping needs.
By following the planting and maintenance tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your Golden Full Moon Maple thrives for many years to come.
3) Plant Propagation Methods
The Golden Full Moon Maple, or Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’, can be propagated through both sexual and asexual means. Sexual propagation involves the use of seeds, while asexual propagation involves the use of cuttings or grafting.
Seed Propagation:
To propagate the Golden Full Moon Maple through seed, start by collecting ripe samaras from a healthy plant in the fall. Dry the samaras in a warm, dry location for several days until they split open, revealing the seeds inside.
Remove the seeds from the samaras and store them in a cool, dry location until the following spring. In the spring, start the seeds in a tray filled with moist seed-starting mix.
Cover the tray with plastic wrap to create a humid environment, and place it in a warm, bright location. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and in about two weeks, the seeds should begin to germinate.
Once the seedlings have developed their second set of leaves, transplant them into individual pots or a larger tray. Asexual Propagation:
To propagate the Golden Full Moon Maple through asexual means, start by taking cuttings from a healthy plant in the spring or summer.
Cut a four to six-inch section of new growth from the stem. Remove the bottom set of leaves and dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder.
Plant the cutting in a pot filled with moist, well-draining soil and cover it with plastic wrap to create a humid environment. Place the pot in a bright, warm location and mist the cutting daily.
In about four to eight weeks, the cutting should develop roots. Alternatively, the Golden Full Moon Maple can be propagated through grafting, which involves attaching a piece of one plant to the rootstock of another.
This method is often used to produce cultivars with specific characteristics, such as leaf color or shape.
4) Plant Adaptations to Different Environments
The Golden Full Moon Maple has several adaptations that allow it to thrive in different environments. These adaptations vary depending on where the plant is growing and the conditions it faces.
Adaptations to Shade:
In its native habitat, the Golden Full Moon Maple grows under the canopy of larger trees, where it receives filtered sunlight. As a result, the plant has adapted to tolerate low light levels and shade.
Its leaves are thinner than those of other maples, allowing more light to pass through to the lower parts of the plant. The plant’s slender branches also allow it to grow upwards towards the light.
Adaptations to Cold:
The Golden Full Moon Maple is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8, which means it can tolerate temperatures as low as -20F. To survive cold winter temperatures, the plant has adapted by going dormant.
During dormancy, the plant’s metabolism slows down, and it stops growing and producing new leaves. It also produces a natural antifreeze that protects its cells from damage due to freezing.
Adaptations to Heat:
While the Golden Full Moon Maple prefers cool, moist environments, it can also tolerate some heat and dryness. In hot, dry locations, the plant conserves water by reducing the size of its leaves and slowing down its growth rate.
This allows it to survive periods of drought and high temperatures. Adaptations to Water Logging:
The Golden Full Moon Maple is susceptible to root rot if its soil is too wet for too long.
To avoid this, the plant has developed a shallow root system that allows it to take up water quickly and efficiently. The plant’s roots are also able to absorb oxygen from the soil, even in saturated conditions, which helps to prevent rotting.
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Conclusion,
The Golden Full Moon Maple is a beautiful and adaptable plant that can be propagated through both sexual and asexual means. Its adaptations to different environments, including shade, cold, heat, and water logging, allow it to thrive in a variety of conditions.
Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant for your shady garden or a stunning fall color display, the Golden Full Moon Maple is an excellent choice.
5) Usage of the Plant in Indoor Settings
The Golden Full Moon Maple is a stunning ornamental tree that can also be grown indoors as a potted plant. Indoor growing allows enthusiasts to enjoy its beautiful foliage year-round, making it the perfect addition to a home’s dcor.
When growing Golden Full Moon Maple indoors, it’s essential to replicate its natural growing conditions as closely as possible. The plant thrives in bright, filtered light, with plenty of humidity and cool temperatures.
Place the plant near a bright window that receives indirect sunlight, but avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can damage its delicate leaves. During the winter months, provide supplemental light to ensure the plant receives enough light.
The Golden Full Moon Maple prefers moist soil, but it’s crucial not to overwater the plant, as this can lead to root rot. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, and ensure that the pot has adequate drainage to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
To maintain high humidity levels, place a tray of pebbles or water beneath the plant or use a humidifier in the room. Indoor-grown Golden Full Moon Maples require periodic fertilization to ensure healthy growth.
Use a slow-release fertilizer or a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season (spring and summer) and reduce fertilization during the winter months when the plant is dormant. Repot your indoor-grown Golden Full Moon Maple every two years, ensuring to use well-draining soil and a pot that allows room for growth.
Regular pruning will regulate the plant’s size to suit the pot size.
6) Usage of the Plant in Outdoor Settings
The Golden Full Moon Maple is an excellent choice for outdoor gardens and landscapes and can add character and beauty to any outdoor setting. When planning to plant Golden Full Moon Maples outdoors, it’s essential to select the right location and provide the necessary care to ensure the plant’s longevity.
In the garden or landscape, the Golden Full Moon Maple prefers partial to full shade, with cooler temperatures and moist soil. It can grow in a range of soil types, but well-drained soil is critical to avoid root rot.
Provide partial shade during the heat of the afternoon sun by planting the tree on the building’s north or east side or using tree companions, instead of planting in full sun or a heat-absorbing environment. Golden Full Moon Maples require regular watering and mulching to maintain optimal health.
When planting in the ground, water the plant deeply once a week or more often in extreme heat or drought conditions. Mulch around the plant to prevent moisture evaporation and to insulate the plant roots from the cold.
Fertilization is not required as a newly-planted Golden Full Moon Maple can benefit from a starter fertilizer. However, excessive fertilization can be harmful to plants, and it is important not to overfertilize.
Pruning helps maintain size, form, and provides a thriving environment for new growth in the Golden Full Moon Maple. Prune in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Thinning out leggy branches will encourage bushiness and new growth.
Wrapping up
Golden Full Moon Maple is versatile and adaptable. Whether grown indoors or outdoors, or propagated by seed or cuttings, the plant can bring life and beauty to many settings.
Its steady growth, minimal care requirements, and striking fall color make it a preferred choice among homeowners and landscapers. 7) Toxicity of the Plant to Pets and Horses, Humans
The Golden Full Moon Maple is a non-toxic plant that is safe for humans and pets, including dogs, cats, and horses.
The trees leaves, bark, and seeds do not contain any harmful substances that can cause health problems if ingested by animals or humans. It is important to note that even though this plant is non-toxic, ingesting any plant material, including leaves or seeds, can still cause gastrointestinal upset in pets and humans.
Ingesting large quantities of leaves or seeds can cause gastrointestinal irritation and diarrhea in pets, leading to dehydration and loss of electrolytes. If ingested in large amounts, medical attention may be required, so if an animal or human shows any signs of illness after ingesting plant material, medical attention should be sought.
Its also important to prevent pets, especially puppies and kittens, from chewing on the trees bark and leaves, since they can still cause choking or diminished appetite. Horses are also safe to graze nearby the tree or its fallen foliage without any harm.
In conclusion, the Golden Full Moon Maple is a non-toxic plant, making it safe for pets, horses, and humans. However, ingestion of leaves or seeds can still cause gastrointestinal irritation and upset.
Therefore, it is important to take all precautions to prevent pets and humans from ingesting any plant material. In summary, the Golden Full Moon Maple is a magnificent plant that is low-maintenance, adaptable, and safe for both humans and pets.
Its stunning foliage, slow growth, and adaptability to different environments make it an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor landscaping. Whether propagated by seed or cuttings, the Golden Full Moon Maple can add color and beauty to any setting.
Following the planting and care tips discussed in this article will ensure that you can enjoy the plant’s beauty and elegance for years to come. FAQs:
Q: Can the Golden Full Moon Maple tree grow in full sun?
A: While the plant can tolerate some sunlight, it prefers partial to full shade. Q: Is Golden Full Moon Maple toxic to pets or humans?
A: No, the Golden Full Moon Maple is a non-toxic plant that is safe for pets, horses, and humans; however, ingestion of large amounts of plant material can still cause gastrointestinal upset in pets and humans. Q: How often do I need to water my Golden Full Moon Maple?
A: Water deeply once a week, or more during hot or dry periods, and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Q: How high does the Golden Full Moon Maple grow?
A: The plant can grow up to 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide, but its growth rate is slow. Q: How do I propagate a Golden Full Moon Maple tree?
A: The plant can be propagated through seed, cuttings, or grafting.