Acer help

Hi everyone.

I would like to ask some advice on behalf of my brother. He knows a bit about gardening, but nothing about Acers.

He's had these two in pots for about 5 years. They have not been repotted.

He says that each spring they start off by looking pretty healthy, but then they die off during the summer.

They are ACER palmatum dissectum (weeping) and ACER palmatum Atropurpureum.

Both say a sheltered site, but does that mean shady, or out of wind? Presumably they need plenty of air around them.

I am also not sure if they need specific soil - for some reason I thought ericaceous but I have no clue really.

Can anyone give any advise on what acers like and need, and what he should do with from this point on to give him a chance of enjoying some autumn colour? Also if they need pruning at all? Any help greatly appreciated. I've told him how fantastic this forum is.

 

Hi I am NOT an expert on Acers but have grown quite a few in my time. If possible I would repot the Acers into bigger pots. They like a fairly acid soil and love leaf mould if you have any. Mine get plenty of well rotted horse manure but that's only because I have plenty! Good drainage is required so lots of crocks or gravel in the bottom of the pots. If you don't have leaf mould then a paety compost is fine.
No pruning unless you need to for space, or if any dead bits. Probably the reason the Acers give up during the Summer will be either lack of water or needing more nutrients as in pots. It is really important to water frequently if keeping them in pots.
Position. Acers hate wind and it scorches the leaves. I live in Scotland so most of mine are in quite sunny spots as they colour better but if you live in sunnier climes them dappled shade maybe but I personally wouldn't have them in really shady spot. Both look reasonably healthy altho I thnk I can see a few white twigs on the 2nd Acer. Those are dead so just best to break them off, they shouldn't need to be cut of, as the less you prune the less likely you could introduce any infection. These Acers are lovely and well worth a little TLC.

 

The advice given in both of the above replies is spot on
I would advise your brother to replenish the soil in the pots and to keep them out of the wind. In pots you really have to keep a close eye on watering and give a dilute feed once a year
They are said to prefer an acid soil but thrive quite well in all but alkaline (any neutral to acid will be fine) They also need good drainage, so if they are inclined to get waterlogged they will show signs of stress
Wash the soil off the existing plant and repot in new soil with good drainage (washing the soil off the roots with the hose is better than trying to tease it off with fingers which can damage the root system)
AND do it now before the plant leafs out fully

 

Hi I agree with all of the above but I would put a good half inch of gravel on top of the soil , helps keep the moisture in also and keeps any unwanted visitors out ie vine weevel slugs etc and you dont have to weed also remove the platic strip around the stem dont want it cutting in.
Make sure you keep watered during the summer and raise the pots on briks over the winter to let any water drain away .
They dont look that bad also use John innes no 3 dont worry if it contains lime it will soon wash out with regular watering I dont like using multi purpose for any type of shrub in a pot , holds the water over the winter and turns into a soggy mess , I used to wash off when I grew alpines when I was buying any new plants same thing DIDNT HELP THE DRAINAGE

Spruce

 

Thanks everyone.

My brother's read all your replies and he's going to pot them on as suggested.