Japanese maple 'Orido nishiki' (Acer palmatum)

Leafing out in spring. I have had this tree in a pot for 7 years.

Hello kell,

I have been hunting a medium-small japanese maple for my home. Something that grows witha sufficiently open habit and grace to work near out front door, with a little statue or small water feature. I came across your picture of Orido Nishiki from 2 years ago; this is one I am seriously considering. Can you tell me a little about its growth habit for you, its shape and inclination? My site is mostly shade. What do you think?

Thanks,

Peter

p.s. - editing, because I see that you have yours in a pot, and I will be growing in the ground. Sill, I'd appreciate your input!~ Peter

This message was edited Mar 9, 2005 11:51 AM

Hi Peter. Mine is an upright, vase shape. It is a beauty. I do not know how hardy the variegated ones are in the cold. If in the ground they can withstand more sun than if in a pot where they can get leaf burn easily esp the variegated parts. I would think they need some sun. All mine get some sun, though where you are probably no hot afternoon sun. Here it usually stays in the 70s.

Butterfly is another hardy variegated but does not get the pink this one does. I love Japanese Maples, not much else is so regal! GOOD LUCK!! I know you will love it

PS Wind burn too can hurt their leaves..

This message was edited Mar 11, 2005 12:50 PM

Thanks, kell, for the nput. I keep obsessing nightly about which variety to order for our very special spot. This one is in the running, although I am also inclined to get a cascading dissectum, planted on a slight mount with rocks for a more "oriental " feel.


Peter

Those are very special also but give the garden an entirely different feel. I guess it comes down to if you need height right there or not. A red fine leafed one would be great also if you needed some red color in the picture you are painting. One is a small tree, and the other one a trained bush. Give one 20 years and they are what classical beauty is all about!!

I am told that with pruning, one keep one, in the ground to below 10" (the Orido Nishiki, not a dissectum). What do you think? I could also put the Orido Nishiki in a pot (This is a mostly shaded spot) to contain its growth, but in ground would be best.

If you have the ground room. I would definitely put it in the ground. They are so much fuller and their trunk grows in diameter. I have no clue what height they can grow to. My Sango Kaku is very tall and it is in the ground. Much more than 10 ft. Now that is another dramatic landscape maple. In the winter, in the cold, the bark gets to be a hot pink and everyone looks at it. It is beautiful. Then in spring the leaves are a noticeable chartreuse.

All Japanese Maples seem to do well with pruning in the very early spring here. I think you really need to get both!!! And if you get a lace leaf, beware. Here very old ones in the winter get stolen!!! They are worth a lot.

I just thought of my favorite Japanese Maple in the world, a Ukigumo, I think this is called Foating Cloud. It is breathtaking!!

Oh to have to pick just one....................

This message was edited Mar 13, 2005 9:46 PM

Oh, kell - You are making life harder, with all this adulation for the maples! However, so far I have my seatbelt buckled, and I think I will start with the Orido Nishiki and control the plant addiction. Fortunately (!) I have to be careful, and select plants that grow in our yard, where most places are part or full shade. The variegated A. palmatums need the shade, so that limits me. Yay!I may get a variegated dissectum later: Toyoma Nishiki, which stays low, sounds gorgeous, probably no more than 4' high, all kinds of color. If I am strong in a couple of days, I will check out Ukigumo.

I have been talking to a way out guy in N. California, who grows 100's of cultivars. Tom runs miyamaasianmaples.com. He recommends the maple people's bible, by J. D. Vertree, titled "Japanese maples". Tom is 70-something and lives on 50 acres on the side of a mountain, goes for mail once a week, and has so many trees that he hasn't graft in 2 years! I have had a ball talking to him by phone. I'm going to call him now and finalize the deal on the Orido Nishiki.

I guess this correspondence is getting more like e-mails. I'd love to hear back, but why don't we do it that way, if you get the urge?

Peter

I have Vertrees 'Japanese Maples'...great book! Orido Nishiki can reach 5-6 m (20 feet) in 20 years. It is considered one of the best variegated japanese maples. We have problems with the variegated ones in Newfoundland as they are not as hardy as the dissectums or concolored types (either green or red leaves). Other similar ones are Beni shichihenge, Kagiri Nishiki, Ukigumo and Karasu gawa (this one is considered THE BEST variegated maple). I tried 'Butterfly' but it didn't make it. This year I have ordered 'Ukigumo' and will hope for the best. The one I'm ordering only gets to 10 feet max so is more adaptable to pot culture.

Hopefully my Orido Nishiki arrives and goes in the ground later this week. I look forwrd to the challenge of keeping the 20 foot potential in check. In the spce I am working with, as long as the spread at head level doesn't ultimately exceed 10 feet, the height and higher width won't be a problem. Just want to get in the front door. Of course, this tree will start out 2 feet tall! One of the great things about gardening is having the imagination and patience to fill a 10' x 10' space with a 2' twig!

I have to look for the Karasu gawa. i can't recall if I have seen it in the catalogs I have searched.

Thanks for the input, Todd.

Peter

Maples like to be pruned! Even if you do not want to do the bon bon look, you can still shape it. I have a Butterfly on my back porch that has been there for years. It is still short enough to fit!!

I have grown them all but not the Karasu gawa. My favorite by far is the Floating Cloud, Ukigumo. It is just beautiful. The most pink is Beni shichihenge at least from mine. But it is very slow growing and very particular. I just love all of them actually!!

Here is my Butterfly. Oh, now that I have looked at her, I sure need to shape her! LOL I should have done it when she was dormant.

Kell and Todd -

You guys are really getting to me. I have been thinking of digging up and moving a kousa dogwood, which doesn't want to bloom because of 1/2 - 2/3 shade. Now the idea of another variegated, upright j.m. is obsessing me.

Glad this corrspondence is motivating you to do your pruning, Kell!

Peter

Go for it Peter!! The fun thing about J.M. is that when they bud out, it is just like it is blooming. The new growth is so beautiful. I think it is the prettiest and most graceful tree there is that does not have showy flowers, esp the variegated or red ones!

So. Got the plant today, leafing out, but apparently fine as I set it into the hole. It really is a pretty little thing. It's amazing how we can get attached to our new babies! If I ever master the digital camera, I'll send a picture.

I looked into the karasu gawa. It does appear to be very beautiful. But several sources say it is very delicate, more than most of the varietgateds, needing protection from wind and more careful growing. I better get more confident with the j.m's, as much as they cost. With a patio in the yard in the next year or so, topped by an arbor -- I hope -- it's in the running.

Tom sent a palmatum seedling, which is now in a gallon pot, stands aabout 16". So I'll practice on her!

P.

Good luck to you and I would love to see pictures!