Chelsea award winning horticulturist Andy McIndoe presents his top tips for planting Acers in both pots and open ground, plus how best to care for them.
Excellent video and I particularly liked the idea of putting the pot in the container and adding the compost around before adding the tree. I am about to plant another Crimson King and have an 18 ft one that I planted in an XXL oak barrel half some years ago. I have an inch or more of pebbles on top to keep the roots cool. Many thanks. I will be using Vitax Acer feed.
Thank you for the very helpful information, i bought two acers i am going to try one more time to grow (The others died on me) now I know what soil and feed and how to plant hopefully I will have success Thank you
Very informative information about growing Japanese maples. I have bought one and planted it in a pot and put it in semi shade. It is well watered and doing fine. I have also fed it about every two weeks. I am going to buy another one and do the same. So excited to see them grow. Thanks
Hi I have a Japanese but its about 6 years old and is planted in my back garden,,,This year it has not done well ….I live on sandy soil living not far from the beach,,,,I want to move it as it sheltered under a large tree,,,,,,Can I move it or will I loose it if I do…Sheila
Hello I live in alberta canada, and I just bought japanese crimson where i can buy fertilizer for these? And is it ok to transplant this month? And if I bring in during winter how to take care of it?
I love the look of a Japanese Maple in a large pot. How long will the tree remain happy in the pot before it needs to be planted in the ground? I'm assuming only a couple of years, but I'd love to be wrong. Thanks for any answers!
For best result use Vitax ceramic pot with broken terracotta Vitax pot, together with Vitax John Innes No 3 mixed with Vitax ericaceous compost; sprinkling a hanful of Vitax Acer feed fertilizer around the root ball. When it is all done, pour plenty of Vitax water at the base of the plan. Above all, choose Japanese acers grown by Vitax nursery.
I have been growing these trees for over thirty years in sandy gravelly soil. Some are twenty to thirty feet tall. I do not use any fertilizer as it causes excess growth that is weak, subject to damage from heavy snow and freezing temperatures. Never plant with that method, the roots will grow round and round and become root bound. Tease the roots out from the container so they grow out and away from the tree. Just the opinion of a gardener of over fifty years with nothing to sell you.
Should I fertilise my Acers right after planting or should I wait until next season? I have 3 of them plated in 50/50 Ericaceous and New Horizon organic peat free compost. I read before that I've to wait until next season to fertilise my maples – is this true?
Thank you, this Information was so helpfull. Just buyed me an Acer Palmatum to started a Bonsai. Reading about It (Its Sounds silly ) I Fall in Love with my Acer and I didn,t wanted to heard him. Decided to let grow as It pleases to. And now I am gone find me the rigth souil and pot to make him or her more beautifull and more compfterble.
That was informative and interesting. My Acer ( lost the Label) is a light green, feathery leaved type, In a large crock container, for 20 yrs. Because of all the scare mongering about amateurs damaging them when pruning; mine has run a bit ragged, and has grown into a Parasol shape. Winter 20 /21 , it developed what looked like pale green patches of lichen on the bark. It later disappeared. Was that because of being too wet ?
I have inherited an acer over 30 years old , it’s in a pot. Last summer it was a beautiful red colour but this year the leaves are brown on top And green underneath. What’s happened??? TIA.
Hi hope u r well. I followed your great tips to plant 2 acers this summer in open ground . I'm concern as both look weak with leaves turning yellow is this normal pls?
This was so helpful. I just purchased a bloodgood Japanese Maple on discount that has leaf scortch and I'm hoping I can nurse it back, so all of the information you have here is great. Thank you so much!
what about in a drought? I'm in texas with record heat and in a bad drought…I water 2x a week…not sure if it should be getting more or not. It's leaves are brown…I'm trying to keep it alive
43 Comments
Excellent video and I particularly liked the idea of putting the pot in the container and adding the compost around before adding the tree. I am about to plant another Crimson King and have an 18 ft one that I planted in an XXL oak barrel half some years ago. I have an inch or more of pebbles on top to keep the roots cool. Many thanks. I will be using Vitax Acer feed.
Thank you for the very helpful information, i bought two acers i am going to try one more time to grow
(The others died on me) now I know what soil and feed and how to plant hopefully I will have success
Thank you
What are the equivalents of these compost products in America? Coast of Maine products seem some what related?
Helpful video. The only problem is the guy's funny accent. Why can't he speak American? 😄
I have never seen any one planting in container this perfectly! I am glad I saw this! Thanks
Monty Don has always done his potting the same way, nothing new.
Very informative information about growing Japanese maples. I have bought one and planted it in a pot and put it in semi shade. It is well watered and doing fine. I have also fed it about every two weeks.
I am going to buy another one and do the same. So excited to see them grow.
Thanks
Can you put mulch on top?
Good video. But your accent is funny. Why can't you learn to speak American?
Your way to explanation is wonderful is easy to understand everything bless you sir
How hardy are they and can they handle 12 hours direct sunlight in about 90F in the summer?
Wow for the first time i saw a perfect potting, excellent
Hi I have a Japanese but its about 6 years old and is planted in my back garden,,,This year it has not done well ….I live on sandy soil living not far from the beach,,,,I want to move it as it sheltered under a large tree,,,,,,Can I move it or will I loose it if I do…Sheila
Hello I live in alberta canada, and I just bought japanese crimson where i can buy fertilizer for these? And is it ok to transplant this month? And if I bring in during winter how to take care of it?
Is it possible to grow one of these indoors with a south-facing window?
Any advice on mulch for these trees?
My Japanese maple and just shed all its leaves after I planted it around 1 month ago. Does anyone have any ideas if this is ok?
Hi I just like to say a very good video thank you for sharing it with us and be safe❤❤
I love the look of a Japanese Maple in a large pot. How long will the tree remain happy in the pot before it needs to be planted in the ground? I'm assuming only a couple of years, but I'd love to be wrong. Thanks for any answers!
Very informative – THANK YOU 1
Great video thank you.
2:08 great tip!
For best result use Vitax ceramic pot with broken terracotta Vitax pot, together with Vitax John Innes No 3 mixed with Vitax ericaceous compost; sprinkling a hanful of Vitax Acer feed fertilizer around the root ball. When it is all done, pour plenty of Vitax water at the base of the plan. Above all, choose Japanese acers grown by Vitax nursery.
I have an Acer which has been in the ground a few years. can I move it now in May ??
That is such a good idea, fantastic way to report 😲😉👍
I have been growing these trees for over thirty years in sandy gravelly soil. Some are twenty to thirty feet tall.
I do not use any fertilizer as it causes excess growth that is weak, subject to damage from heavy snow and freezing temperatures.
Never plant with that method, the roots will grow round and round and become root bound. Tease the roots out from the container so they grow out and away from the tree. Just the opinion of a gardener of over fifty years with nothing to sell you.
Should I fertilise my Acers right after planting or should I wait until next season? I have 3 of them plated in 50/50 Ericaceous and New Horizon organic peat free compost. I read before that I've to wait until next season to fertilise my maples – is this true?
Love it 🥰
Brilliant!
Thank you, this Information was so helpfull. Just buyed me an Acer Palmatum to started a Bonsai. Reading about It (Its Sounds silly ) I Fall in Love with my Acer and I didn,t wanted to heard him. Decided to let grow as It pleases to. And now I am gone find me the rigth souil and pot to make him or her more beautifull and more compfterble.
Very informative and helps a lot…
That was informative and interesting. My Acer ( lost the Label) is a light green, feathery leaved type, In a large crock container, for 20 yrs. Because of all the scare mongering about amateurs damaging them when pruning; mine has run a bit ragged, and has grown into a Parasol shape. Winter 20 /21 , it developed what looked like pale green patches of lichen on the bark. It later disappeared. Was that because of being too wet ?
Wait, I thought ericaceous compost shouldn't be mixed with any other composts as it will start losing acidity over time??
lol Im almost 40 ive never seen that pot trick before 2:29 Genius thanks !
I have inherited an acer over 30 years old , it’s in a pot. Last summer it was a beautiful red colour but this year the leaves are brown on top
And green underneath. What’s happened??? TIA.
Is it possible to ask you a question, Andy?
I will buy your "cahmpaughst"
Hi hope u r well. I followed your great tips to plant 2 acers this summer in open ground . I'm concern as both look weak with leaves turning yellow is this normal pls?
Lol just an advert for acer feed. Regular mulching proves them free nutrients don't let autumn go to waste 🤪
Ahhh it's an advert.
This was so helpful. I just purchased a bloodgood Japanese Maple on discount that has leaf scortch and I'm hoping I can nurse it back, so all of the information you have here is great. Thank you so much!
what about in a drought? I'm in texas with record heat and in a bad drought…I water 2x a week…not sure if it should be getting more or not. It's leaves are brown…I'm trying to keep it alive
Genius way to repot.