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Acer suggestion

RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
in Plants
Greetings

Considering an Acer for a large pot for the patio.

Particularly like the Golden Full Moon, but these can grow to be huge (6 metres in some 20-30 years).

Is that something to really worry about if pot grown? Will growth be restricted, or can it be restricted with appropriate pruning etc?

Else, is there a more suitable similar alternative?

Thanks

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Posts

  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Acers are slow growing, so will last a long time in a tub. But first the conditions it's to be grown in. It needs sun ,but will take shade for some of the day. Needs to be kept out of the wind or leaves will brown and curl. It will need a tub the size of a half barrel after a few years so space is another consideration. In very cold winters will need the roots protecting with bubble wrap. If this is ok with you I would go for whatever colour leaves you want first , how dainty/ fine they are as they come in different shapes and then see what is available in your area. Hope this helps a little.
  • RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
    Thanks

    I've done quite a bit of research and think the spot I have should be perfect - protected and with dappled sunlight throughout the day.

    Seeing as I'll be buying one at 60-70cm, I don't think size isn't going to be a problem for many a year to come.

    Just wondering what other people's experiences were of growing them in pots. I have a 33cm x 33cm x 33cm pot for it to go into, so I'm guessing this would be more than enough for the foreseeable future.

    Some John Innes No.3 and ericaceous compost at the ready for it!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I have 4 in my garden, not in pots
    2 I especially love are palmatum dissectum and katsura

    Your pot is nowhere near big enough I'm afraid
    If you have any JI2 instead of the JI3, I'd use that instead and if you can collect rain water for it that's by far the best. Tap water in the SE is generally very hard

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
    Yikes! Not big enough for a 60cm tree? Not even for the first year or so?

    I'm pending a small fortune on pots. The downside of only have a patio!
  • RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
    I'll also have to assume that my Goldcrest isn't going to be best pleased with how I've housed it!

     
  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    Acer on the right is in the ground and the other one has been in that pot for eight years.
    SW Scotland
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    They need starting in 45cm×45cm pots at least both of them
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    There are some very inaccurate statements being made.
    Yes, the Acer will grow very large and need a big pot, BUT, you should not start it in a huge pot, it should be gradually potted on.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Yes that was the starter pot size and it ended up in a 70cm pot after 20 years.
  • RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
    Joyce21 said:
    Acer on the right is in the ground and the other one has been in that pot for eight years.
    Nice! Is the potted one of the weeping variety?

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