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japanese acers
ROSALIE LANGHAM
Posts: 3
we have had a pot grown red acer for about 8 years and it has always looked very attractive. but last year the leaves died, but did not drop off. this year leaf regrowth has been more sparce, and some branches at the toop and back look dead, can i revive with fish blood and bone etc. or do we need to re-pot ? please advise as we do not want to lose this lovely bush. thank you Rosalie
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I'd say after 8 years it might have become potbound. If it's possible to remove it from the pot, have a look at the roots,and , if they're very tightly wound round the edge, it's time for a bigger pot. Don't go for one massively bigger, but it has to have room for the roots to stretch out. I'd use a garden hand fork and scratch around the edge to tease the roots out of their spriral before repotting.
Bumping for Rosalie Langham to see her reply.
Agree with Hostafan 100%.
I once chatted to an acer grower-specialist and they told me that as a rough guide, they need reporting every 3-4 years. She also mentioned that if you don't have the space for a larger pot, it's ok to lift them from their existing pot once the leaves have dropped in autumn, trim the roots, then repot in good compost. she also advised me to use seaweed extract feed rather than what I was using (like you), as it helps to rebalance the acidity in its soil, which it will like. They don't like watering with tap water for too long either, as this is too alkaline and reduces the acidity in their soil. Using seaweed apparently restores this acidity balance. Lastly, she advised me to leave a watering can out to collect rainwater in and use this to water my acers in dry spells. Seems to work and they're the happiest I have ever seen them!
Ps: you can also very lightly trim dead tips on acres, without harming them. I usually do this when they are dormant, in autumn after the leaves have dropped. They don't like hard pruning, but you are allowed to take off the odd crossed branch or dead tip
HAVING SECOND LOOK AT ACER. now have discovered a white sticky substance on the base of the main stem. is it diseased , and have I lost it ? bought some fish bone and meal thinking it just needed feeding. would appreciate advice. thank you Rosalie.