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What’s wrong with my yellow Acer please?

KeltisKeltis Posts: 32
in Problem solving
The leaves look do not show any signs of growing since we bought it in June 2021

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It looks like it's surviving rather than thriving and that's due to its environment.
    They like-
    Dappled shade (but sun is fine with certain varieties)
    They need to be planted in ericaceous compost and ideally watered with rainwater.
    As it's in a pot it will need feeding now and then, and seaweed extract would be very good for that.
    The pot needs to be on pot feet or raised off the ground some other way to ensure good drainage (I use offcuts of wood).
    Is it rootbound and needs repotting?
    Has the compost been refreshed?  i.e. Take out a little of the old compost in the pot from around the side of the top of the pot being careful not to damage the roots near the trunk, then top up with some fresh ericaceous compost, or even better, some home made compost.

    If you can give it as much of the above as you can, with a bit of luck it'll be ok.
    Good luck!

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • KeltisKeltis Posts: 32
    Thanks Pete, I’ll look at your suggestions 
    Keltis
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It looks as if it's been quite heavily pruned. Is it a large plant - it looks as if it is?
    That will always need more care, especially in a pot.
    It also needs to be in a soil based medium - not just compost, if it's staying in a pot. Some shade, good drainage, and plenty of moisture.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KeltisKeltis Posts: 32
    Thanks Fairygirl. Some confusion now as previous reply said ericaceous compost. It’s in semi shade, good drainage and moisture. It’s about knee/thigh high. Keltis
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Ericaceous compost comes in several forms.
    Some are like multipurpose compost (light and fluffy), others are more like soil.
    If you can get some John Innes Ericaceous compost that would be best as it is more like soil and better suited for long-term use - but it will need some grit added - about 30% as by itself it is not free-draining at all.
    Alternatively a mix of the 2 types of ericaceous medium would work well too.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    TBH ericaceous soil is not absolutely essential,  ordinary JI 2 will do. I  have Acers in pots and in the ground.  I  am on London clay ( which is certainly not ericaceous) the ones in the ground are fine. They have very fine roots so be careful when repotting or refreshing soil. 

    AB Still learning

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    This is in the ground


    AB Still learning

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I agree they don’t necessarily need ericaceous (acid) conditions, neutral is fine, but if you have very alkaline soil and hard water (also alkaline) like me, it really helps. Plus, water with rainwater when you can. It also matters where you are, the further south the more the green ones need shade. In my location, my potted green one is in full shade!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I should have clarified - any plant [ especially a shrub or tree ] in a container, needs the growing medium to be largely soil, not compost, if they're going to be in that container long term. Compost isn't enough to sustain them. Fine for a short while.  :)  
    You can use garden soil if it's not alkaline, but if it is, you can buy one of the J. Innes types instead.  Neutral soil is fine for them though. You can then add some compost to top up and refresh each year,  and you can add something like bark as a mulch, which will break down and be helpful. 
    Drainage is very important too. 
    The green or yellow varieties don't cope quite so well in full sun as the purple ones, and the dissectum ones also find it more difficult. Wind can also be a problem, so a more sheltered, shadier site is best.
    They're basically woodland plants, so heat and exposure are less ideal for them.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KeltisKeltis Posts: 32
    Thank you all very much for your advice, I’ll pass it onto my wife who is the head Gardener!
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