Mzkrista Starting Japanese maples, Acer palmatum, is virtually impossible from root cuttings. Stem cuttings are possible but difficult. Acer palmatum cultivars (named varieties) are most often propagated by grafting, although you can occasionally find cutting grown material. Cutting grown is far superior to grafts for bonsai because it eliminates the ugly graft union problem. For red Japanese maples, the situation is slightly different. These are a recogonized seed strain, so they can in fact be grown from seed if you have a reliable source of consistently uniform seedlings. These are not cultivars and cannot carry the cultivar name, but are denoted by: Acer palmatum var atropurpureum These actually don't make very good bonsai. The leaves don't reduce well and the internodes (space between the leaves) are long. They also don't stand up to wind and sun as well as the green seedling species Acer palmatum. Your best source of seed is to collect it yourself in the fall just as the seed ripens, usually in the month of Oct in the northern hemisphere. Most seed sources overly dry the seed which makes it very hard to germinate. Brent

Theoretically, ANY cultivar of JM can be propagated by cuttings. Some have more vigor than others and will take more readily but there is no reason to assume any single cultivar would not be adaptable to this means of propagation. There is always a risk with cuttings and it's not a fast process, so not a widespread practice for commercial growers. But for home hobbyists, a fun experiment and a way to expand your collection very economically. This article by Penn State outlines the process nicely. Timing and aftercare are critical to the success. https://sites.psu.edu/jmbonaccorsi7/2016/02/29/deciduous-shrub-cutting-japanese-maple/

Tell me how to graft them! Been trying for 3 years to graft and all have failed. I am going to try air layer grafting next. It worked for my citrus after I failed at trying to graft them. Take spagum moss, the real stuff not tree moss most garden centers are selling the whole not ground up kind that you use to line hanging baskets with. Take a young one year old branch, not one that is older and the bark has gotten brown with age. Take a sharp knife and slice diagonally along the branch about half way thru the branch. dust with the root hormone powder in the cut. Important, put something plastic like a toothpick or a stirring stick you get from a Macdonalds in the cut to hold it open or it might grow back together. Next wrap with the moss and tie it in place with a thin pc of string. Also the moss needs to be Damp. you can try wetting it before wrapping or after. I did it later.. Anyway the next step is to put a piece of plastic over the whole thing. I prefer a white or black garbage bag that I rip the bottom corner off of and cut a hole in the tip so I can slide the pc down branch and over the moss. I then tie bottom side off first and then top. I don't use clear bag beause too much light promotes leaf not root growth and be careful of using black if it gets too hot it might cook the graft. try also cutting off tip of branch so it forces it not to continue putting energy into the branch growing longer. About once a week check bag to make sure moss is not drying out and add water until it runs out bottom. Hope fully after 2 to 3 months you will see roots in bag. If you get it to take, cut off below bag and take plastic off and plant, moss and all. This is best done in spring because plant is growing but doesn't hurt to try now just pick a branch that you don't mind losing if it doesn't work. Charles

Hi Guys Hope all is fine in your Gardens and your having lots of Fun Just wanted to ask whether any of the Forum have Managed to Grow a Japanese Maple Cultivar from a Ripe Cutting of the same Tree. Is it Easy,Difficult or Very Difficult ??? If anyone has been successful in achieving this any tips would be appreciated. Best wishes and Happy Gardening Stephen,Cheshire.UK