skip to main content

help with potting Japanese maples

vivian_2010 (IL Zone 5a)

10 years ago

I plan to pot a few japanese maples I recently bought from Diana in Topiary. They are really nice sized plants. I think they were grown in the field and shipped with most of the root ball in soil. Should I remove most of the soil before I pot them with the potting mix (potting soil and pine barks) to get good drainage? Or some soil is ok? I can get most of the soil out but there will be a small amount trapped within the root ball.

Thanks for the help!

Vivian

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
This not something I would do at this time of year. It's a bit too stressful to a JM in the heat of summer. Better to wait until dormancy or after the tree loses its foliage. And FWIW, I never remove the soil from a containerized maple before I repot. In most cases the potting medium (JM's are seldom, if ever, field grown) is sufficiently barky and textural to assist with proper drainage
vivian_2010 (IL Zone 5a)
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Gardengal, Thank you for the information. I did contact Diana at Topiary and she advised the same. The plants were shipped without containers (root balls with some soils) so I was not sure if they were grown in containers or ground. I went ahead and potted them adding additional potting mix to fill the container. Hopefully they will do fine since I did not disturb the root balls. Thanks again.

Vivian
Related Professionals
Bainbridge Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Somerset Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rocky Mount Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Williamsburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Richmond Landscape Contractors · Tupelo Landscape Contractors · Jacksonville Landscape Contractors · Virginia Beach Landscape Contractors · Poughkeepsie Landscape Contractors · Bronx Landscape Contractors · West Palm Beach Architects & Building Designers · Rome Architects & Building Designers · Morgan City Architects & Building Designers · Barnstable Architects & Building Designers · Willmar Architects & Building Designers

Related Stories

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

GARDENING GUIDES 12 Japanese Maples for a Sunny Garden

The right maple in the right place shines in hot summer sun

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Great Design Tree: Japanese Maple

By Annie Thornton

Lacy form and fiery fall color make Japanese maple a welcome tree for garden or patio

TREES Great Design Plant: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, a Winter Standout

By Paintbox Garden

Go for garden gusto during the chilly season with the fiery red stems of this unusual Japanese maple

GARDENING GUIDES 13 Japanese Maples for Shade

A surprising variety of these understory trees is waiting to make a statement in your shade garden

WINTER GARDENING How to Help Your Trees Weather a Storm

By Paintbox Garden

Seeing trees safely through winter storms means choosing the right species, siting them carefully and paying attention during the tempests

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

KITCHEN DESIGN Key Measurements for Your Kitchen Design

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Get the ideal kitchen setup by understanding spatial relationships, dimensions and work zones

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways to Design Your Kitchen to Help You Lose Weight

By Mitchell Parker

In his new book, Slim by Design, eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink shows us how to get our kitchens working better

Sponsored

Hope Restoration & General Contracting

35 Reviews

Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations