Would it be a good time to pot them up now, or before the end of autumn, even if they don't have as many roots? As you'll see from the pictures: I used perlite as a propagation medium,
which is low in nutrients. Winter is coming which is making me a little
concerned, their roots look so delicate and fragile.
Also do you have any suggestions on how to overwinter them? I want to give them the best chance of success, but I don't have a green house nor a cold frame.
If they don't have sufficient root systems, they're best left where they are. You would use a compost which is free draining [with low nutrients] so that they don't suffer from rotting. Or mix some of the perlite with a little garden soil or compost. That should give them enough nutrition without overdoing it at this time of year. Although Acers like moisture, and are extremely hardy, like any young plant, they need a little bit of care when small. If they have a big enough root system, they should be fine outside. A cold frame - opened - would be ideal, but as you don't have one, keep them against a house wall or similar though, or even under a bench or table - something like that. It'll prevent them being exposed to weather extremes. Over cossetting them isn't helpful, but you may find they don't all make it. That can happen with any cutting. Good luck with them.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I agree - pot them up asap. now you can see roots from the bottom of the pot using the method @Fairygirl suggests above. If they're in just perlite the acers will have no nutrition whatsoever - perlite contains no nutrition and your plants will need some just to survive Failing that, you could give them a little weak liquid feed for the next few weeks until they loose their leaves then pot them up early spring, but in perlite only keeping the roots damp may be a challenge.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I have an acer in my front garden that self-seeds Here are some that germinated in the Spring this year (not the one in the middle tho ). I did pot some up a few years ago and tried to keep them, but after a couple of years they were still VERY small, then I forgot to water them.....
So long as there are roots coming out of the bottom of the pot you don't' have to be too careful transplanting them. A few broken roots will soon repair.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Just improve the soil - well rotted manure is ideal. That opens up the soil structure and improves drainage. If you can't do that, better to keep them potted. They need moisture but they won't appreciate sitting in wet clay long term. Clay is an excellent growing medium, but not if it's sticky and solid.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have 5 acers all planted in clay soil. The soil here is slightly acidic clay and they do well. If your soil is alkaline then they'll be less happy. If you don't know what your soil is like you can get a general idea from here http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/ click Search on the right, then enter your postcode.
If the soil is heavy clay then I've found composted bark fines by far the best answer to breaking it up. I have needed to use it, but not for the acers. I think the soil pH is key for acers and it needs to be on the acid side of neutral ideally.
None of mine have any special treatment. Maybe a mulch in the spring and that's about it. The one below I planted 30 odd years ago and never gets mulched or watered and faces due south -
PS - it's also the parent of the little 'uns above
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Posts
Don't over pot them though. Just enough to contain the root systems.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You would use a compost which is free draining [with low nutrients] so that they don't suffer from rotting. Or mix some of the perlite with a little garden soil or compost. That should give them enough nutrition without overdoing it at this time of year. Although Acers like moisture, and are extremely hardy, like any young plant, they need a little bit of care when small.
If they have a big enough root system, they should be fine outside. A cold frame - opened - would be ideal, but as you don't have one, keep them against a house wall or similar though, or even under a bench or table - something like that. It'll prevent them being exposed to weather extremes. Over cossetting them isn't helpful, but you may find they don't all make it. That can happen with any cutting. Good luck with them.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
If they're in just perlite the acers will have no nutrition whatsoever - perlite contains no nutrition and your plants will need some just to survive
Failing that, you could give them a little weak liquid feed for the next few weeks until they loose their leaves then pot them up early spring, but in perlite only keeping the roots damp may be a challenge.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Here are some that germinated in the Spring this year (not the one in the middle tho
I did pot some up a few years ago and tried to keep them, but after a couple of years they were still VERY small, then I forgot to water them.....
So long as there are roots coming out of the bottom of the pot you don't' have to be too careful transplanting them.
A few broken roots will soon repair.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
They need moisture but they won't appreciate sitting in wet clay long term. Clay is an excellent growing medium, but not if it's sticky and solid.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The soil here is slightly acidic clay and they do well.
If your soil is alkaline then they'll be less happy.
If you don't know what your soil is like you can get a general idea from here
http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/
click Search on the right, then enter your postcode.
If the soil is heavy clay then I've found composted bark fines by far the best answer to breaking it up. I have needed to use it, but not for the acers.
I think the soil pH is key for acers and it needs to be on the acid side of neutral ideally.
None of mine have any special treatment. Maybe a mulch in the spring and that's about it.
The one below I planted 30 odd years ago and never gets mulched or watered and faces due south -
PS - it's also the parent of the little 'uns above
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.