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Japanese maple in a pot???

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I just bought a 5-year-old Japanese maple and I wil be transplanting it into a pot...From what I have read, these trees can grow 10-20 feet high...but I am assuming my tree will only grow so tall in a pot...can someone tell me what I should do with this tree to make sure it thrives well in a container...I can get a BIG container if necessary...




Answers

 

Just make sure you feed it properly CDILM. An all purpose slow release fertilizer is perfect. BUT (AND I AM SHOUTING) THEY LOVE MOISTURE. Don't let the pot dry out EVER.

John.

12 Nov, 2008

 

I'm glad you told me that....because the nursery I bought it from said DO NOT over water... I had planned on keeping it moist...but was a little hesitant when I read that...

Now, what is CDILM? At present, I am using a Miracle Gro tree and shrub fertilizer stake...just following the directons on the box...sound okay?

12 Nov, 2008

 

CDILM - If you think I am typing out CantDoItLikeMe - ??? LOL. Miracle Grow is fine but if you get some slow release from your local nursery then you can forget it for 4 to 6 months at a time. Far easier for you and for the tree.

John.

12 Nov, 2008

 

I I think the reason for the different opinion re watering is that during Winter when the trees are dormant too much water can cause them to get root rot. but during growth time it is vital not to let them dry out as I know to my cost.
. One small tree in a big pot is not good. Better to grow in a suitable one for whatever size it is now and then pot on, when it fills the pot with new roots.

12 Nov, 2008

 

hmmm...okay...well, I had in mind a concrete planter...but I am beginning to think maybe that's not a good idea, because the tree needs to drain...right? so maybe a pot with holes in the bottom is better...

12 Nov, 2008

 

It is always difficult to interpret different instructions. Basically you need to hit the happy balance between keeping it moist and not over watering. Certainly a free draining pot is essential. My first interest is in carnivorous plants and essentially it is the difference between sarracenias which are quite happy to stand in a bog of 2 inches of water and nepenthes which like to be moist but never sopping - so free draining is essential for them.

John.

13 Nov, 2008

 

bonzi it

13 Nov, 2008

 

Japanese maples are slow growing so don't worry too much about eventual size. If you know the cultivar name that might help give a clue as to its growth rate as some stay shrubby, spreading rather than growing up. Agree you need a free-draining pot.

14 Nov, 2008

 

I would suggest do not use concrete pot as Acers dislike lime and concrete contains that

14 Nov, 2008

 

i could digress poaannua but i guess it depends on the pot.i have three lovley acers living in a large concrete planter doing realy well.im not trying to start an argument sorry lol

19 Nov, 2008

 

I saw 20+ year-old Japanese Maples in 1m wide, 3 m long, 3m deep beds next to a sidewalk under the brim of a building that naturally watered them when it rained. These trees seem to flourish VERY well in their concrete beds with no pampering...(P.S.: I live in the southern US where we only occasionally get -6 degree C temps in winter, I don't know if that matters).

19 Nov, 2008

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