Help needed please! :-(

Melody

10 years ago

Hi everyone!

I'd really appreciate some help.

I recently bought two japanese maple trees (katsura and atropurpureum). I bought them in a 13cm pot.

I planted them in wooden containers and was advised to use ericaceous compost.

I actually regret having bought such a small tree to start off and now I feel a bit anxious because I don't know if they were planted correctly and if they will actually grow.

My questions are...

When should I be able to see any change in their size? I know japanese maples are slow grow trees so I know it will take time but just wanted to have an idea?! (my kids keep asking about it too!)

What shall I do during the winter months? I don't have where to store them apart from putting them both in my husband's shed.

I love these trees but now wondering if it was a good idea to plant them as I don't actually know how to look after them.

Thank you so much for your help/advice!

Raquel

Featured Answer

mblan13

10 years ago

Keep an eye out for new leaf growth, some of mine are green, but new leaves are bright red and very easy to spot. Be patient, some grow painfully slow!

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
Actually, Japanese maples are one of the easiest trees to grow in
containers. They are very well suited for that process. ALL of mine -
maybe 2 dozen or so - are in containers and have been all their life :-)
And I tend to start out with quite small trees as well. You may not see
substantial growth or a significant increase in size their first season
but they will grow - by this time next year, they should be about
double their current size, provided they were tended properly. Young
trees tend to put on growth quite a bit faster than older ones.

You
don't say where you are located but by your post I am assuming
somewhere in the UK? If so, these will not really require any winter
protection and can remain outdoors.
If not, please let us know where you are located so we can make other
suggestions but as long as the shed is able to remain right at or above
freezing, they should be fine in there.It might be helpful to review other postings about growing JM's in containers. I've linked to a few to get you started.
Melody
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much for your help!
Yes I'm in England so I'm a bit worried about our winter however, where I live we didn't get any snow or freezing conditions last season.

I'll check the other links and see if I can learn a bit more about these lovely trees!

Thanks again!
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
These are perfectly capable of remaining outdoors undamaged with temps down to about -4C.
Melody
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks. Well we do sometimes get bad winters so don't know what the next one will be like.
I might put them in my husbands she'd just in case... Or thought of getting a small green house this time. My back garden is pretty small so don't have much space really.
Melody
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks a lot. I don't think I have spotted new ones yet. I'm still a bit concern about my trees. They just look the same as they did when I first planted. Nothing seems to have changed but maybe I just need to persevere and be patient.