General Chat

l have an Acer which is approx 5-6yrs old and 5ft high in a large pot. It was given to us by neighbours. Is it ok to plant it in the ground now?? Hubby is worried its the wrong time of yr!

jude:o)

After having a quick internet search, trees in general are best transplanted either in the spring before leaf buds form, or in the autum after leaf fall.

Don't Acer's grow best in some sort of soil begining with an E? (off to look it up)

edit - can't remember what it's called or the spelling. Something like Etranacia...perhaps some one else can help out !

Hello DET

Just been looking on net too, seems this could be the type to stay in pot!!

Thanks DET

Its a beautiful speciman at the moment and l thought it would do better to be planted out of pot now, but its not the right time anyways.

jude

Your problem is solved then - lol

found the name of the soil type...Ercaceou.

We have a small one planted in the garden. We had to dig a big hole and fill it with Eraceou compost. Now its roots have probably reached the limit of the infill, its new leaves are changing colour form Red to Green.

Jude - I have one in a pot, similar age and size to yours, and have not thought about planting it in the garden. Next doors also has one, and hers is in a pot too. I think some Acers, are best grown in a large pot. See what you can find out, before doing anything.
Julia in Derbyshire

Thanks Julia and DET....l think it should stay in a pot. Its a beautiful deep burgandy colour.

jude

I've just looked up Acers in my RHS tome, because I also thought they needed to be grown in ericaceous soil, but it just says fertile and well-drained. I have 2 in pots in ericaceous compost, but one in the ground in, what I think, is neutral soil and they are all thriving. I have just re-potted one. It probably depends on what soil you have in your garden, Jude. Chalky or sandy might not be so good. Personally I would go for putting it in the ground now, making sure you a put in a good amount of fresh compost, similar to the one that's in in the pot, into the planting hole, and a good handful of fish, blood and bone fertilizer sprinkled in too would be good if you have some. Keep it well watered until it's established. Good luck!

I also think they're fine in pots, but growth is restricted. My Acer in the ground has grown to about 10 feet.

Wend, my garden is not that big, and would not take anything more that would grow big. So, therefore, as mine is happy where it is, I will keep it in it's pot, a rather fetching and expensive aqua bluish colour and glazed, which compliments the burgandy coloured leaves.
I have loads of other trees surrounding my garden, so I am not short of something to look at, if you know what I mean.
Julia in Derbyshire

Wend....my soil is clay, we have put alot of new soil, compost etc in the main part, but the area for the acer is still abit heavy. l'll leave it for now and look to re-potting in the autumn. Its in an area that the birds love, we usually throw birds seed there and all sorts grow:o))

Thanks everyone:o)
jude

I agree Julia. My burgundy one is in a pot and I like the fact that I can put it where I want to - at the moment it's in amongst the green shrubbery at the bottom of the garden and looks lovely against that.