Acer palmatum 'red'

I picked this up a number of weeks ago in Tesco's for £5. I didn't think at the time that it's not going to like my sandy soil, so will it be okay in a large pot please.

 

I've had one in a pot for years, Sheal.

 

Hi Sheal

Have a look at my album , nice picture of my red one gren one same pot over 20 years, John innes number 3 added grit , I feed in April slow realase fetiliser , I brake all the rules with them both in full sun all day but during the summer I keep well watered, they have traveled with me since living in Manor House in London . Just counted 5th House....... they like Wales more:yess:

Spruce

 

put it in semi-shade out of the wind .... lovely trees ... use a decent compsost like John Innes #3 (ask your garden centre for a similar blend if they dont have John Innes .... levingtons make some of their compost to the same formula)

 

:yess::yess: With Ericacious compost,

My hobby horse I have four and waiting for the new stock to come in at B&Q to spend my voucher from Christmas on a new Acer.

My older one. Also the peeling bark with the leaf Image is my new Acer before Christmas.

 

Hi Sixpence
If its in a pot any lime in the compost gets washed out very quickly and does no harm to the plant so I never bother with Ericacious , plus for shrubs you cant beat a beefy soil compost like John Innes, last for years weighs the pots down so dont blow over so easily

Spruce

 

Thanks Spruce,

I never have fed mine.,,the biggie that is. The new ones I will probably feed soon. My oldie sits in the lawn getting every element up the drive, it never gets fazed at all.

Some of my others are sun shy.

My big one does'nt mind the wind at all, I once had a standard that died in the wind...not all the same like flowers....:D

 

You sure it won't like your soil? I thought they hated clay? (And wind, so keep it sheltered, but if you can plant out, in a sheltered spot, I think that would be better)

Other's may disagree? I have clay and wind so I don't attempt to plant out.

 

Find acers very susceptible to wind, even in a relatively sheltered garden. My pot acers are 2-3 ft tall. Sould I be pruning them now?

 

A red acer for a fiver? Scuse me all - I'm off to Tescos!

 

The red type of Acer Palmatum which you can occasionally buy at the super market is usually Atropurpureum. I have one in the same pot for 14 years. All it requires is to be taken out of the pot every third year and have its roots trimmed back - some new potting soil added and an occasioanl addition of Tomorite to the watering can. They are not particularly fussy about soil so long as it is free draining as Acers cannot stand wet feet.

 

That's really lovely Kevin!! Bet it smells super too!