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Hi, I noticed today that under and near my maple tree, there were a few baby maple sprouting. I would love to nurture them and create a new tree out of them if that's possible. If yes, what's the best way to go about it? Thank you.
Please swipe to see closeup images of the sprouts.
Hello @sunnyg
That’s a lovely discovery; you’ve got baby Japanese maple seedlings sprouting around your parent tree. These seedlings likely came from seeds dropped last autumn, and it’s absolutely possible to nurture them into healthy new trees with some care and patience. Here’s how to do it successfully.
First, wait until each seedling is about 5–10 cm tall and has a few sets of true leaves before transplanting. This gives the roots enough strength to handle being moved. Choose a cool, overcast day or do it in the early morning to minimize stress. Gently loosen the mulch and soil around each sprout with a small hand trowel, taking care to keep as much of the root system intact as possible. You’ll find their roots are quite delicate and shallow at this stage.
Prepare small pots with a well-draining mix of premium potting soil blended with perlite or coarse sand. Make a small hole in the center, place the seedling at the same depth it was growing before, and water thoroughly to settle the soil. Place the pots in a shaded, sheltered area where they’ll get bright but indirect light.
Over the next few weeks, keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy. Japanese maples dislike drying out completely, but too much water will rot young roots. Once they establish and start putting out new leaves, you can gradually introduce them to more sunlight. Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer every few weeks during active growth. When the seedlings reach about 30–40 cm tall and develop stronger stems, usually after one growing season, they can be planted in the garden in spring or early autumn. Choose a location with protection from strong winds and afternoon sun, and plant them in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Water them regularly for the first year while they establish.
Here is a handy helpful guide: How To Grow A Japanese Maple Tree
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Thank you, Eric. I will try to nurture them. 
