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Acer Palmatum pot or ground ?

muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
in Plants
Hi folks. 
I have an acer palmatum “going green” in a pot (photo attached). I’m unsure whether to put into a larger pot or straight into the ground now ? Will it thrive in larger pots or is it inevitable that a ground spot will be essential ?
Our soil is on the alkaline side so I know I need ericaceous compost - I have 50L which is plenty for a larger pot but is it enough for when planting in the ground ?
I am hoping to take account of the semi shade requirement for the hotter part of the day but is this really essential in the uk ? (I’m in Glos)
Lots of questions but I haven’t grown acers before … tia
mike



Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I had mine in a large pot but I was watering it twice a day  so I put it in the ground. Bear in mind it doesn't take long for them to grow much, much bigger in the ground than they would in a pot.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you're thinking you can add ericaceous compost to your soil and stop it being alkaline, I'm afraid it won't. Neutral soil is fine, but if it's at the alkaline end, it's not ideal.
    Better to keep it potted if that's the case  :)
    Yes - semi shade, especially anywhere in the south. Even here, a full sun site can be used, but has to be considered because it's not just a question of aspect, there are other factors involved.
    A site out of wind is also best.   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    In my last garden - rural central Belgium - I grew all my acers in pots except for a sango kaku whch was planted in a south facing bed so full sun.  It had a good, deep root run in mildly acidic clay soil and I added loads of horse muck and compost to improve it plus a trellis to protect its foliage from prevailing westerlies which could dessicate the foliage.

    It did fine but I always had to prune off dead bits after heavy winter frosts.

    There was also a Garnet which I grew outside in full sun but it curled up after a few days of -25C one winter.

    All the others were smaller specimens with finer foliage which I grew in pots so I could take them into shelter for winter to protect them from wind and heavy frosts.   In this garden I have planted them all out in the soil against a north facing wall so they are protected from burning summer sun and get as much rain as possible. 

    They're all very happy as their position emulates the woodland glade or edge that they like.

    The key for you is to find a sheltered spot out of the wind and to have enriched, moisture retentive but not boggy soil, whether it's in a pot or the ground.  They like neutral to acid soil so adding manure will help plus a regular watering with a liquid feed for ericaceous plants from early spring to late summer.   A monthly feed with diluted Epsom salts will fix any magnesium deficiency and add to general plant health - 15ml salts to 5 litres of water, preferably rain, not tap.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    thanks for those replies.
    fg I understand your point about the alkaline soil ; however there is one about 3-4 metres high very well established across the road from us - not quite sure how the planter managed it all those years back but it does give me hope that mine “might” be ok .. maybe my handle should be “optimistic mike” 😉
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If there are some in the ground near you, then the chances are that it could be ok, but just make sure it's in the ground, and not in a constructed bed or similar  ;)
    Some are more tolerant of conditions than others too, so it can often be down to experimenting.
    What you don't want to have to do is be constantly adding ericaceous soil or compost. It defeats the purpose of having a reasonably straightforward shrub or tree - gets expensive!
    Maybe I'm just living up to my 'tight Scot' stereotype, but they just grow up here in the west [in particular]  without any help, so I'm always aware that not everyone has the same climate and conditions.  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    thanks obelixx .. all very interesting and informative ! I will return to your posting regularly i think.
    -25c in Belgium - wow !! I’ve been in south West France at Xmas with -14c but -25c is something else !
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Acer palmatum.
    Going by what I can see it is not going to be a dwarf.
    Reckons it will be a proper tree and will grow fast.
    It is going to need a lot of space.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
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