Bloodgood Japanese Maple Tree Care

Bloodgood Japanese Maple is a close relative of the Emperor, known for their stunning reddish-purple leaf color. Such a small, beautiful tree will serve as an outstanding focal point for a small landscape outdoors. Bloodgood Japanese Maples also make pretty bonsai trees, which you can keep in pots indoors.

However you want to plant this Bloodgood Japanese, you’ll certainly enjoy the beauty it brings.

So, let’s get started with the basic requirements for planting a Japanese Maple Bloodgood.

PLANT NAME: Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’

Other Name: Bloodgood Japanese Maple Tree

Plant Type: Deciduous tree

Native Areas: Asia

Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade

Watering: Moderate amount

Fertilizer: Apply slow-release fertilizer during Spring

Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans

Temperature: Tolerates temperatures within the USDA Zones 5 to 8

Propagation: Cuttings, Grafting

Growth: Moderate (1 to 2 feet per year)

Soil Type: Well-drained soil, rich in nutrients, neutral to slightly acidic

More About Bloodgood Japanese Maple

The Japanese Maple leaves are its most stunning feature. With Bloodgood maple, the leaf color starts with a deep burgundy shade during the Spring to Summer seasons. They soon turn into a bright red hue once the fall season breaks in.

And when the delicate leaves shed in winter, the tree reveals its silver-gray bark, which is another point of interest.

Established trees usually reach an average height of between 15 to 25 feet tall. The mature tree has a trunk that’s about the size of a drinking cup, making it look more like a shrub than a full-grown tree.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree perfectly suits a small yard that needs an accent color. Combine it with other plants to create a highly attractive landscape. Just remember to plant it at least 15 feet away from buildings and houses so the root system won’t bring damage.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple Care Guide

Choosing the right location for planting Bloodgood Japanese Maples is critical because it will certainly affect the plant’s ability to thrive. Before you buy the tree, consider the growing conditions that it needs so you’ll know how to provide the best care possible.

Let’s start here.

Soil

Most Japanese maples, including the Bloodgood Japanese, are adaptable to a wide range of soil types. The most important thing to remember is that it should well-draining soil. If the soil is a bit compact, you’ll need to amend it with grit, sand, and compost to make it porous and well-aerated.

Doing this will encourage more extensive growth of the root system of the young trees.

The most desired soil pH ranges between neutral to slightly acidic. Correct pH will determine the availability of nutrients in the soil for the tree’s absorption. You can determine the pH by conducting a simple soil test.

Lighting

Bloodgood Japanese maples can tolerate full sun to partial shade light conditions. Direct sunlight from the morning sun is usually beneficial, but it may need some afternoon shade to prevent the young leaves from developing leaf scorch. Trees planted young need more protection from direct sun exposure than established trees.

Watering

Keeping the soil moist is an important practice for watering a Japanese Maple Bloodgood. You shouldn’t let the soil turn completely dry or overly saturated, as both conditions can harm the plant. Bloodgood Japanese can be susceptible to root rot if they’re overwatered.

Adding wood chips as mulching material will help retain moisture and prevent the soil from completely drying out. Just be mindful not to let the mulch touch the trunk of the maple tree to prevent pests and diseases.

Temperature and Humidity

Bloodgood Japanese will thrive in areas under USDA Zones 5 to 8. Hence, it will continue to live even if the temperature drops as low as -15°F (-26°C). However, you must protect your tree from harsh winter winds because it will cause damage.

Fertilizer

Fertilize your Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree once in early spring, before the leaf growth. Use a slow-release fertilizer intended for shrubs and trees. This species isn’t a heavy feeder so it will do just fine with once a year’s application of fertilizer.

Pruning

Allow your Bloodgood Japanese to establish on the ground first. It will take about two to three years. After such time, you can prune the tree to create your desired shape. You may conduct occasional pruning to remove drooping branches. Do so when the tree is dormant in winter.

Potting

If you’ve got limited space and still want to plant a Bloodgold Japanese, you can do so in a container. Use well-draining potting soil and fill the container. Pot the Bloodgood Japanese seedlings by lifting the root ball, and transplanting it into a container.

Fill the remaining soil into the pot. Water the soil deeply and allow the excess moisture to flow out of the drainage holes.

Once potted, keep the soil moist with regular watering. This will help the tree develop an extensive root system, and prevent transplant shock.

Propagation

Planting softwood cuttings is another way to multiply a maple tree. Here’s a simple procedure to follow:

1. Find a young wood and cut the stem at least six inches in length. Make sure that it contains leaf nodes because that’s where new growth will arise.

2. Remove the bottom leaves, but make sure to retain three to four leaves on top.

3. Insert the bottom part into a rooting hormone. Then, insert the cuttings into the potting mix. Water the soil deeply until it’s moist.

4. Cover the pot with clear plastic to maintain high humidity.

5. Put the cuttings in a partially shaded area, and water the soil regularly.

The cuttings will develop their roots in a few weeks. A sure indication is if new leaves start to emerge. By then, you can repot the cuttings in a new container.

Japanese Maple Varieties

Acer palmatum ‘Emperor‘

The Emperor variety is a small and upright tree that grows up to 10 to 15 feet high, slightly smaller than the Bloodgood. It has longer leaf retention where the leaves start with a deep shade of burgundy in Spring and Summer, and then turn bright red in autumn.

Acer palmatum ‘Beni–kawa‘

The Beni-kawa variety has a different foliage color. It starts with rich green leaves in Spring that turn mid-green in Summer. When the season changes to Fall, these green leaves will also change to golden yellow. Its average height could grow from 5 to 15 feet tall.

Acer palmatum ‘Harriet Waldman‘

The Harriet Waldman has pretty pink leaves that are splotched with white color. The stunning leaf colors make this variety unique. Protecting the plant from the afternoon sun will help intensify the variegation.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple Common Diseases and Pests

Scales, spider mites, aphids, and Japanese beetle are the common pests of the Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree. Although these pests can rarely kill the plant, severe infestation will cause unsightly damage.

Some plant diseases that may cause trouble are verticillium wilt, powdery mildew, sooty mold, and anthracnose.