Acer platanoides Crimson King

Trees of the genus Acer are a natural wonder. Although it is true that some remain as shrubs or small trees of low height, that is not the case of our protagonist, the Acer platanoides Crimson King.

It is known as red Norwegian maple, because unlike the type species, its leaves are crimson for much of the year, and it does not grow as much.

Origin and characteristics

It is a deciduous species mainly native to Europe, although we will also see it in the Caucasus and Asia Minor. Grows to a height of 15 to 20 meters, and not 35m like the common royal maple green leaf, with a more or less straight trunk whose bark is smooth and light gray. The leaves are palmate and serrated, crimson in spring and summer and darker red in autumn before falling.

Blooms in spring, and its flowers are grouped in inflorescences that are called panicles. Once pollinated, it produces fruit in winged samaras that will be dispersed by the wind.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy of Acer platanoides Crimson King, we recommend that you provide the following care:

• Location: it must be outside, in semi-shade, or in the sun if you live in an area with a temperate-cold climate.
• Earth:
  • Pot: use substrate for acidic plants, which you will find for sale here.
  • Garden: grows in fertile, deep, and slightly acidic soils.
• Irrigation: frequent. Water about 4 or 5 times a week in summer, and about 2 every seven days the rest.
• Subscriber: in spring and summer, once a month with homemade fertilizers.
• Multiplication: by seeds in winter (it needs to be cold to germinate), and by cuttings at the end of winter.
• Rusticity: it resists up to -18ºC, but it is not a plant to have in warm gardens.

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