Japanese maples thrive in autumn if 10 minute task is done in August

Japanese maples are renowned for their stunning appearance during the forthcoming colder months, yet in August it can be a challenge to keep them in good health if they are not watered correctly. These elegant trees originate from forested regions where summers are cooler and the air is more humid, meaning that even the British sun can prove too harsh for their delicate foliage.

It is crucial to keep Japanese maples well-hydrated at this time of year to prevent leaf scorch, which can stress the trees, hinder their growth and cause their leaves to deteriorate. Fortunately, gardening specialists at Plant Addicts have revealed that keeping Japanese maples watered during late summer is straightforward, provided you avoid watering them in the afternoon. They said: "The best time of the day to water Japanese maples is during the morning, which allows plenty of time for the roots to soak up the water.

"If watering during the evening, try not to get the leaves wet, as the slower evaporation time at evening and night can facilitate the spread of diseases."

While most people tend to water their gardens in the afternoon, this is precisely when the sun is at its most intense. This accelerates the rate of evaporation, meaning less moisture penetrates the soil.

As a result, very little water reaches the roots of a Japanese maple, leaving the tree under-watered and far more susceptible to shedding its leaves.

Water droplets can additionally heat up and act as magnifying glasses, scorching the leaves and placing the tree under considerable stress.

Watering Japanese maples during the evening is feasible; however, with no evaporation occurring, the foliage will remain damp throughout the night, potentially encouraging fungal diseases as well as attracting pests such as slugs.

The optimal time to water Japanese maples is during the morning hours, from 9am to 10am, as the soil remains cool, allowing the water sufficient time to penetrate properly.

This timing also permits the leaves adequate opportunity to dry before the peak heat of the day, ensuring they remain healthy and develop even more impressively before autumn arrives.

Throughout summer, Japanese maples require watering at least twice weekly, though container-grown specimens need watering four times weekly as they are far more susceptible to drying out.

Dedicating just 10 minutes each morning to watering Japanese maples guarantees they have the greatest prospect of withstanding the challenging summer conditions and will look absolutely magnificent when autumn commences in late September.