Gardeners with Japanese maple trees urged to use 'simple' 2-ingredient spray now
Keeping Japanese maples looking colourful and healthy can be tricky, particularly when pests emerge as spring fades into summer.
Japanese maples thrive in the UK when planted in a cool, lightly shaded position protected from strong winds and scorching sun. A generous mulch of well-rotted organic manure helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, while regular watering, especially during the first summer, is essential to establish healthy root systems.
However, even with all of this care, Acer can still be vulnerable to pests, particularly aphids, which cause issues like honeydew. Gardening experts at Agriton said: "As spring turns to early summer, your garden should be bursting with colour and life—and few trees are as eye-catching in May as the Japanese maple. But if you’ve noticed a sticky or shiny residue on the leaves, don’t worry... the fix is simple and natural."
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Honeydew is a clear to amber, sticky, sugary liquid excreted by sap-sucking insects, such as aphids, scale insects, and mealybugs, that feed on plant sap.
Aphids, namely greenfly and blackfly, first appear on juicy, tender young shoots. As the colony grows, it spreads to the underside of young leaves.
The Agriton team warn that, if left untreated, honeydew can attract sooty mould, which looks like "a black or dusty layer on the leaf surface".
"It won’t kill your tree, but it can affect photosynthesis and make your Acer look a bit tired", they said.
Heavy infestations of sap-sucking inescts can also stunt growth, distort leaves and in extreme cases, weaken young trees.
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How to get rid of aphids on Japanese maples
However, they are easy to get rid of using soap and water. A firm jet of water from your garden hose can dislodge aphids and scale crawlers.
If you don't have a hose, a Garden Focused expert notes that you can kill many of the aphids by running your forefinger and thumb over the leaves and shoots.
Water over the leaves with a jug or watering can to rinse the dead aphids away. A spray is even more effective for this.
Preventing pests on your Japanese maples is also easier than you may think. The gardening maestros suggest diluting one teaspoon of washing-up liquid in two litres of water.
They said: "It is thought that the diluted washing-up liquid clogs the aphids and causes them to die. It has no ill effects on the plants themselves."
For the best results, concentrate spraying on new shoots and the undersides of leaves.
The art of distraction is also worthwhile to discourage pests from Acers. Garden-focused experts note that the main "consumers" of aphids include ladybirds, hoverflies, and lacewings.
"Encourage them into your garden by planting marigolds and calendula", they suggested.
Nettles are also good for attracting aphid-eating insects. These insects are attracted to the aphid species that colonise nettles but do not affect other garden plants.
