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Acer pot bound

tlpheretlphere Posts: 2
in Problem solving
I have an Acer bloodgood in a pot which I inherited, the new shoots are starting to open and then just drying off or not opening at all.

I think it is really pot bound as the roots are coming up through the surface gravel I am told it's been in this pot for about 7 years?
 I know not great 🤔

It's in a 13 “ by 11 “ deep pot atm I think if I leave it it may well die but being May it's not the right time to repot it either.

Any thoughts much appreciated
   

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Better to move it now than leave it.  :)
    You can pot anything on at any time, as long as you follow simple care for it. 
    Difficult to judge without seeing it, but if you thoroughly soak it, you should be able to get it out. Get a bigger pot and fill it with a good, loam based compost -not multi purpose, and make sure the drainage hole is covered to prevent soil falling through, and excess water can drain. It's probably got very little in the pot other than roots, so it will be needing some nutrition and moisture. A glazed pot is also better than terracotta, as it will help prevent excess moisture loss.
    Keep it somewhere sheltered for the next few months, out of sun and wind. Wind can cause more problems than anything for them, as it dries out new foliage just as readily as sun will. 
     
    They're shrubs which prefer some dappled shade, so they're best among deciduous planting if possible.   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    With a little care you can repot at any time of year.
    Dunk the pot and rootball in a bucket of water and if you cannot submerge it, leave it a while to soak.  This will ensure that the rootball is moist right through to the middle. Often when potbound there is a tendency for the water to run straight through instead of soaking in. It should also soften the roots so it is easier to remove from the pot. Choose a pot that is larger than the one it is in, but not  by a huge amount and repot  using John Innes No. 3 with a little multipurpose compost  added. Plant to the same depth as before and give it a little more water to settle it in. Then put it somewhere shady and out of the wind. Sun, wind and lack of water can all cause leaves to shrivel. Make sure it doesn't dry out and you should be rewarded with some new leaves :)
  • tlpheretlphere Posts: 2
    Great thanks for your advice, I thought better to repot asap rather than wait. 
    I will trim the roots a little to stimulate new growth, fingers crossed all will be well 👍
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