I noticed this morning that the acer bloodgood i bought last year (I think) was really flopping over to one side. Should I stake it in the pot? It’s been perfectly happy on its own so far.
I think it may need re potting. It's top heavy, so it may be down to not having enough substance in the pot to anchor it. Worth taking it out and having a look, but if you re pot, don't go for too big a pot - just an inch or so bigger. Those grow quite quickly compared to some others, so there might be a fair bit of root in there.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl that’s the rootball. If I do pot it on into a pot I already have, a pot as tall as this one is going to be quite wide. Is that ok or do I need to look for a tall narrow one?
Ideally, you don't want to go much bigger in any direction. It's not too bad though, re the roots. Perhaps it's been overshadowed by other planting/walls etc, causing it to lean, or has it always been like that? It's not the best specimen, but often they do grow in a slightly irregular pattern and gradually right themselves as time goes on. Might be better to leave it until you have a slightly bigger pot, and just gently support it - push a stake in between the rootball and the side of the pot, don't push it through the roots, then keep it in a site where you can turn it to so that it can head for more light and possibly straighten up a bit. The reds can take a decent amount of sun, but just avoid full on mid day sun. They can be shaped/supported when young and pliable. It's how those bonsai specimens are done. Just be careful with it.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I wouldn't plant in a tall narrow pot,you'll have the same problem again. I have a lot in pots, but I go for much bigger ones each time, having found that makes them put on a spurt and fill the pot.
Yes - a pot with an inch or two in each direction would be the ideal @Nanny Beach. I have loads that kind of size, which are ideal for that sort of situation. Pity I don't live near you @Latimer
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It might be ok now @Latimer. Just keep an eye on it, and when you move it into the next pot, use a soil based compost, as that's better for anything being potted long term, especially shrubs and trees. That should be fine for now though - looks better already. It seems as if it was just not well enough anchored. The type of pot isn't ideal, as they're for roses/clematis, rather than something shrubbier, but short term it'll be ok.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
NE should be ok. They're Japanese woodland shrubs,they dislike mid day sun, but they also hate wind. I lost one a few years back to windburn,and one of the nurseries I go to near ashdown forest also lost theirs. just found out, they've retired and it's closed,shame!!
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Those grow quite quickly compared to some others, so there might be a fair bit of root in there.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Perhaps it's been overshadowed by other planting/walls etc, causing it to lean, or has it always been like that?
It's not the best specimen, but often they do grow in a slightly irregular pattern and gradually right themselves as time goes on.
Might be better to leave it until you have a slightly bigger pot, and just gently support it - push a stake in between the rootball and the side of the pot, don't push it through the roots, then keep it in a site where you can turn it to so that it can head for more light and possibly straighten up a bit. The reds can take a decent amount of sun, but just avoid full on mid day sun.
They can be shaped/supported when young and pliable. It's how those bonsai specimens are done. Just be careful with it.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have loads that kind of size, which are ideal for that sort of situation.
Pity I don't live near you @Latimer
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You will need a heavier pot and heavier compost (soil based) to keep the plant stable in windy wather.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
In terms of location @Fairygirl it’s currently on the NE side of a fence so it’s getting morning sun only.
@Nanny Beach I’ll keep an eye on it and look to pot it in.
That should be fine for now though - looks better already.
It seems as if it was just not well enough anchored. The type of pot isn't ideal, as they're for roses/clematis, rather than something shrubbier, but short term it'll be ok.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'll take a look again in a couple of months and see how it's getting on.