Japanese maples ...a lesson

No, nothing really, my trees are in pots under my porch.

 

Sounds like they are sheltered then I only ask as I was working in the mountains trying to use lime mortar in baking heat in the summer, but then it got snowed under in the winter.

If I were you i'd get some back ups on the go, sort of things that grow well locally. Saw a Pistaccio bush while I was out there, would love to be able to grow one of those.

 

Thank you all posters on this thread. Tt has helped me to understand the needs of the little seedling that I smuggled back from Vancouver a year last May. I'm too inclined to water and it obviously isn't that necessary. When I pot on, I will make sure I use JI 2 and MPC with some grit for drainage. Mine's a teeny weeny Red Acer that came from our friends' garden so it has a sentimental value,
Jenny namaste

 

I allegedly smuggled ours from the UK to Turkey, I think I have been over watering it, as the weather is getting cooler I will water every 3 days I hope thats about right? I have put mulch around the pot which helps, I will post a pickie of the new growth (says he with fingers crossed) What is a JI 2 ?

 

I looked them up, my God they are big, I want something to put in a pot, but we are blessed out here with lots of beautiful plants.

 

Val

 

Bonsai Pistaccio?

JI 2 - John Inness number 2 compost.

 

Hi should I put grit around mine or mulch???The leaves have gone very crispy, does it mean its dying? I have had the tree for 12 years now. Here is a photo of it taken last year when it was healthier, it is the bronze coloured tree on the right. Any advice gratefully received.

 

Dhuuuu I thought you meant the large ones they look nice, will have to keep an eye out for them.

 

Hi

Looking at your photo and it looks very nice, I suspect now its above the fence the wind has caused the damage , and probable cause it needed a good watering , the roots on Acers can be quite shallow , I know its rained a lot this year but its amazing how the soil has dried out so quickly , I have had to water the borders somthing I didnt expect to do.

I only use xtra grit in the pots when using John innes soil based compost otherwise it gets a bit clagy and doesnt let the water drain away, using xtra grit helps with this.

Your well established tree would appreciate a top dressing in the spring and some slow release fertiliser that will feed it slowly over the season., the one in my picture is over 20 years old and has been in the same pot all that time but it gets regular watering and a feed in the spring plus it brakes all the rules as its in full sun for most of the day but not in strong winds which I think is the key thing with acers generally.

Hope this helps


Spruce

 

I planted mine in the light and wind shade of next door's BIG Leylandi hedge. Ideal, I thought. The she got the hedge removed.

But left to their own devices, in the wind and the sun, and although only recently planted, they've started to expand. They're probably tougher than we think.

 

Hi Spruce, thank for the reply. We have been watering it regularly over the last 6 weeks but it has been getting worse. That's why I though it was being over watered. I read somewhere above that too much water makes the roots rot???? Mine also gets sun all day (as much sun as you get in London) as it is a south facing garden. A top dressing of what??? Compost?
Cheers, Lady C

 

Wonderful looking tree you have there Spruce thanks for the tip regarding John Innes no. 3. I'm in South Wales next month so I'll be looking out for that fine specimen - I'll take my bucket and spade with me so if it goes missing!!!!!!!!!!

 

How new is the paving that you have laid ?? did you lay them in on cement how much soil if any was removed , do use weedkiller on the patio ?.

To be honest I top dress the one's in the borders with the old tomato compost, occasionally I do have a branch that dies out on mine but I cut back to the main stem , Acers/Maples do suffer from lots of diseases , Verticillium Wilt being the main one but this can take hold when the tree gets stressed out. Thats why I am asking about your patio.

TLC and a low nitrogen feed in the spring , every 2nd year the whole garden gets a "bonemeal" feed late March early April.
Yes they are fussy the diva of shrubs but get the planting spot right and the variety and like your's look amazing.

All shrubs and trees have good and bad years we have had a hot couple of weeks in the spring will hardly any rain fall for weeks then as we all know had the wettest year ever for well over a 100 years all adds up to some winners and losers I have 1 apple on my tree last year over 50 and thats all because of the late frost we had.

Spruce

ps forgot to mention other plants can suffer VW what is the other tree on the left hand side of the photo , plus it all depends what you next door is growing as well as its a root problem

 

Anne

I have made it easy for you its in a pot it was originally the size of a twig when I bought it from Parkers mail order its on its 5th home and has travelled some mile with me.

What part? of Wales, you can take me for lunch.

Spruce