Topping up potted Acers

Meomye · 12 January

I intend to take out some of the old compost and top up. Could anyone advise me as to what type of compost I need for my Acers please? Also, when is the best time to do it. Many thanks.

Fairygirl · 12 January

I just do it in spring, or whenever the weather suits. In drier areas, it's probably a good idea to do it before there's long term dry spells. I use anything I have to hand. You can use an ericaceous one if you have it, but something soil based is ideal because of the the restrictions in a pot.
You can also add something like bark as a final dressing which works well, and gradually breaks down.

punkdoc · 12 January

A good soil based compost is what I use, with some added leaf mould. There is no need to use ericaceous compost. I tend to do it any time from now until early Spring.

Loxley · 12 January

I would remove the Acer from the container and knock off loose compost from the roots. Then repot in fresh soil-based compost at the correct level (higher in the pot, presumably). You'll need more compost underneath so the rootball sits higher, and pack around the rootball in layers ensuring that there are no voids.

Loxley · 12 January

(When I say knock loose compost off the roots, I don't mean thoroughly expose the roots, I just mean gently tap to allow old loose compost to fall away)...

wild edges · 12 January

A top-dress of gravel over the top of the compost really helps to regulate soil conditions too. I add sedum cuttings onto the top of my gravel and they trail nicely over the edge of the pot. In the spring, before the buds burst, I tease the sedums out, remove and rinse the gravel, remove the loose soil then add some Blood Fish and Bone pellets, fresh ericaceous John Innes and put the top-dress and sedums back in place.

Topping up potted Acers

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