Has it ever been repotted and soil refreshed? Root pruned? Have you fertilized it?

gardengal - um, I've added a bit of Foliage Pro 9-3-6 here and there but not yet this season and probably not last year. (I've been spending a lot of time staying with my parents to take care of them the last couple years.)

I have wondered about JM care in containers. My understanding is they don't like their roots messed with so I've been nervous to do any of the typical container management I've done with other plants.

I would love to know how best to manage my container JMs. I lost a beautiful Shishi to Verticillium Wilt a few years ago. I've also eventually lost all other JMs I've planted in the ground over the years; soil is clay-like with a high ph, and apparently . I think these whiskey barrels are the best solution.

What do you recommend for JM container care? Can soil refresh without being completely emptied? How often should the roots be pruned?

I have a collection of more than a dozen different Japanese maples, ALL grown in containers.......one is more than 25 years old. This is what I have learned about growing JM's in containers over the ears:

• A good potting mix is critical......heavy on the bark component and light on any peat or coir. You want to hit an optimum level of fast drainage and moisture retention.
• How often you need to repot/refresh soil depends heavily on the previous condition. The better, more durable and long lasting the potting mix, the less frequent the need. Secondarily, it also depends on the cultivar being grown and the size container.
• I repot every 3-5 years, root prune and refresh the soil at the same time. Root pruning is a normal part of containerized JM care. Don't be afraid of it -) It's like you are doing large scale bonsai.
• For optimum results, do this while the tree is fully dormant - late winter.
• In the years there is no root pruning or repotting, I often top up the soil level in early spring. Inevitably some of it does deteriorate and flushes away.
• I also apply Osmocote, a slow release fertilizer, at this time. While JM's are not heavy feeders, anything grown in a container will need regular fertilizing. They often get a dose or two of Foliage Pro as well during the growing season if there are leftovers from my other containerized plants. But the Osmocote should supply all the nutes necessary for a full growing season.

That is all really helpful! I mix potting mix and pine bark fines/mulch, or something similar, about 50/50. Since my climate is hot and very dry do you think 50/50 is right or is it still better to up the percentage of bark?

By refreshing the soil are you completely replacing it or mixing in some new with the old?

Sorry to bug you with so many questions. I just want to keep them healthy, and the sad Autumn Moon shows I haven't been doing a very good job of it.