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Rookie Gardener seeks help with Acer

thepighogthepighog Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi guys,

Apologies in advance for what is likely a silly question but I am one of the rookie gardeners created during covid lockdown, i'm sure you have had a few here  :D

I have finally received a couple of Acer palmatum I foolishly ordered online many weeks ago and one of them has a strange appearance as shown in the photos attached.

Pic 1 shows the main body, both Acers have this colouring and leaf shape: 
but as you can hopefully see in Pic 2, there is a strange red offshoot that has larger leaves and looks very top heavy:



The other plants that came with the order were in poor to awful condition and I wouldn't normally buy things without seeing them in the flesh so to speak but these are unusual times!  Obviously I want to try and get everything settled and hopefully maintain them for years to come but this particular item has me confused, should I just water and feed when needed and it will sort itself out or do some pruning?

Amy advice is appreciated!

thanks

Posts

  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    I would trim back the very long stems which should promote growth to the other stems. As its an Acer did you plant it in Ericaceous compost as that will help greatly.

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • thepighogthepighog Posts: 2
    Kili said:
    I would trim back the very long stems which should promote growth to the other stems. As its an Acer did you plant it in Ericaceous compost as that will help greatly.
    Hi Kili, thanks for the reply.  I didn't have an Ericaceous compost but I did use some John Innes #2 in lieu of that as recommended on the RHS website.  I would have like to have left it in its original pot for as long as possible as I have read that they are relatively slow growing but it was in a terrible state!  I will probably just chop the red bit off then, from what i have read i am better waiting until autumn/winter to do this?
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