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.
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.
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.
My 11 massive Acer trees were bought as tiny plants for less than 4 UK pounds. Ten years on, they are huge and beautiful. All they ever had was cheap multi purposr compost. John innes 3...., they certainly don't need that or compost for acid loving plants. It's all just a money making ploy and my trees are evidence of that. The smallest of 11 trees is 8 feet high. All of them are strong and withstood the UK heatwave last year with minimum scorching to the leaves. From tiny twigs that I had to handle with so much care when I bought them, to plants that now need two people to handle them, and all from the cheapest multi purpose compost. Just buy the cheapest multi purpose compost. Pot them up as they grow. Find a good spot for them. Water them loads...in hot weather it's twice a day. In high winds, they dry out super fast too.There is no need for any special compost.
Me too. I bout a 1-foot tall acer from wilkos abd just keep changing pots to bigger ones. No special acer food, tbh I can't afford special stuff. Just normal "general" compost/soil and water it. Occasionally move it to cooler areas. It's 3 foot tall but not growing very fast upwards, just outwards.
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.
I saw monty in Gardners World repotting some plants. He said you have to gently pull/tease the root ball slightly apart, I.e, loosen the roots before positioning into the new pot. This let's the roots grow n spread outwards, otherwise they will stay in original form and not do very well.
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
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!
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 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
My thin leaves aver hasgone dry even in shade its 2yrs old. I'm so sad. I'm going to use your tips to rescue it. Will buy the feed too. Very well explained.especolly soil mixture and where to plant and how. Tgankyou. Xxx
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!
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?
Hi, thanks for this informative video. With time do you have to transplant the tree from the pot or can it stay in it? If the latter, what happens when the roots outgrow the pot, do you take it out and trim them (like you would a Bonsai)? Very new to gardening.
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?
There is unrest in the forest There is trouble with the trees For the maples want more sunlight And the oaks ignore their pleas The trouble with the maples (And they're quite convinced they're right) They say the oaks are just too lofty And they grab up all the light But the oaks can't help their feelings If they like the way they're made And they wonder why the maples Can't be happy in their shade There is trouble in the forest And the creatures all have fled As the maples scream, "Oppression" And the oaks just shake their heads So the maples formed a union And demanded equal rights They say, "The oaks are just too greedy We will make them give us light" Now there's no more oak oppression For they passed a noble law And the trees are all kept equal By hatchet, axe, and saw The Trees - Rush 😁
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 ?
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
hi, i need help. I have a Maple tree that was doing fine for many years, I added some Baby Bio and the leaves have drooped. They still have their colour, but she looks very sad. Is this to do with the plant food? what have i done wrong? should i take her out of the soil and re-pot with fresh soil?
Jessy Lotti Acers don’t like change during the growing season....it’s probably a reaction from feeding. Definitely wouldn’t repot during the growing season. Would just try to stick to the same conditions it’s been happy with.....it will eventually come round....be careful not to over water. Also during the Winter when it’s dormant you need to carefully pull the whole tree out of the pot to check the roots. If it’s a mass of roots encircling the pot with little soil then it needs either root pruning or potting up into a slightly bigger pot for next year. Roots are really important so when a tree is dormant you need to check the health of the roots.
Sheff Steel Do you suggest adding compost during and fertilizer at her stage? During winter, I mean? I’m getting a tree delivered, and it has to be repotted into a 2 gallon. Can I just use well drain potting soil?
You can do it in three inch deep pot to two gallons technically your actually bonsaing your tree if its not a drwarf verity. Check out Herrons site they specialize in bonsai.
Anybody got any tips on how to make my potted Acer grow upwards plz? It keeps growing long branches outwards n spreading. But doesnt seem to have grown UPWARDS at sll in the kast year or so. 😢
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.
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 have a lovely red acre and has done very well for 15 years ,beautiful every year ,but this year it started to get brown tips and now all the leafs have died off and it's only July 😢,I've changed nothing ??
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
I have 3 acers of different varieties and they all lose their leaves every year around this time of the year so its normal. They get new leaves in the spring.
This is an advert for Vitax acer feed pretending to be an advice video. Acers do not need ericaceous soil.....the truth is acer don’t like alkali soil but neutral souls are fine....it doesn’t need to be acidic. Also doesn’t need the extra feed the John Innes number 2 has enough. Too much feeding and plant food does them damage.
Totally agree .... so bloody annoying when they do this. Vitax Acer Feed my a*se. Not, not, not necessary. Also .... if he's that good and that 'award winning' why does he need to do endorsements. Shame cos some of what he says makes sense. NOT all by any means! Actually I've just realised the post is Vitax Garden World so perhaps I shouldn't be so harsh.
Not raking the roots out that's a good way 2 develop gurgling roots - this will lead 2 health problems for the tree in the long run. Also, the pot was way 2 big for that tree
I have never seen any one planting in container this perfectly! I am glad I saw this! Thanks
That's the best re-potting technique I've seen thanks for the tip!👏👏
This is best potting technique I have seen.👍
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.
I have had very similar experience.
Thank you!
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.
😂😂😂😂
My 11 massive Acer trees were bought as tiny plants for less than 4 UK pounds. Ten years on, they are huge and beautiful. All they ever had was cheap multi purposr compost. John innes 3...., they certainly don't need that or compost for acid loving plants. It's all just a money making ploy and my trees are evidence of that. The smallest of 11 trees is 8 feet high. All of them are strong and withstood the UK heatwave last year with minimum scorching to the leaves. From tiny twigs that I had to handle with so much care when I bought them, to plants that now need two people to handle them, and all from the cheapest multi purpose compost. Just buy the cheapest multi purpose compost. Pot them up as they grow. Find a good spot for them. Water them loads...in hot weather it's twice a day. In high winds, they dry out super fast too.There is no need for any special compost.
Even in pots twice a day? One of my bloodgoods had a few leaves that look dry but they're not crispy. Is that a sign of too much water?
I think hes getting paid to promote those brands of compost
Thanks for the advice! Can I ask whereabouts you purchased your plants from exactly?
Me too. I bout a 1-foot tall acer from wilkos abd just keep changing pots to bigger ones. No special acer food, tbh I can't afford special stuff. Just normal "general" compost/soil and water it. Occasionally move it to cooler areas. It's 3 foot tall but not growing very fast upwards, just outwards.
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.
I saw monty in Gardners World repotting some plants. He said you have to gently pull/tease the root ball slightly apart, I.e, loosen the roots before positioning into the new pot. This let's the roots grow n spread outwards, otherwise they will stay in original form and not do very well.
Wow for the first time i saw a perfect potting, excellent
Great tips..thank you..love the compost around the bowl..
This was video was brought to you by Acer fertiliser. 😄
Your way to explanation is wonderful is easy to understand everything bless you sir
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
Thank you, very informative.
That is such a good idea, fantastic way to report 😲😉👍
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!
How's it now? :)
Great tips! Thank you!
You don't need fancy soil btw. I bought a £2.00 bag from BnM and I've had my acer growing for 6 years.
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 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
Very informative - THANK YOU 1
Hi I just like to say a very good video thank you for sharing it with us and be safe❤❤
lol Im almost 40 ive never seen that pot trick before 2:29 Genius thanks !
Great video thank you.
Great advice, thank you :-)
Very informative and helps a lot...
I learned something, Which is making space with its containers, but not at least disturbing the roots isn't good idea.
Brilliant!
My thin leaves aver hasgone dry even in shade its 2yrs old.
I'm so sad.
I'm going to use your tips to rescue it.
Will buy the feed too. Very well explained.especolly soil mixture and where to plant and how.
Tgankyou.
Xxx
Great idea❣️
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!
2:08 great tip!
Love it 🥰
Genius way to repot.
Thanks for the tips.i am waiting for 25 seedlings that I bought and I am not sure how i will take care of these.
Good video, very helpful, when is the best time of year to repot an acer plant?
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?
Hi, thanks for this informative video. With time do you have to transplant the tree from the pot or can it stay in it? If the latter, what happens when the roots outgrow the pot, do you take it out and trim them (like you would a Bonsai)? Very new to gardening.
your controlling the plant by leaving in the container , like cutting roots in Bonsai its controlling the roots
Is it possible to grow one of these indoors with a south-facing window?
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?
Any advice on mulch for these trees?
There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas
The trouble with the maples
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade
There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream, "Oppression"
And the oaks just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
They say, "The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light"
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw
The Trees - Rush 😁
I’m getting frustrated by videos advertising fertilizer and soil because none of them are available where I am.
What are the equivalents of these compost products in America? Coast of Maine products seem some what related?
How hardy are they and can they handle 12 hours direct sunlight in about 90F in the summer?
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 ?
My one sound quite similar to that. Was it an acer palmtum?
I have an Acer which has been in the ground a few years. can I move it now in May ??
Hi would red leaf varieties thrive in full sun or do they need some shade?
Can you put mulch on top?
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
Wait, I thought ericaceous compost shouldn't be mixed with any other composts as it will start losing acidity over time??
hi, i need help. I have a Maple tree that was doing fine for many years, I added some Baby Bio and the leaves have drooped. They still have their colour, but she looks very sad. Is this to do with the plant food? what have i done wrong?
should i take her out of the soil and re-pot with fresh soil?
Jessy Lotti Acers don’t like change during the growing season....it’s probably a reaction from feeding. Definitely wouldn’t repot during the growing season. Would just try to stick to the same conditions it’s been happy with.....it will eventually come round....be careful not to over water. Also during the Winter when it’s dormant you need to carefully pull the whole tree out of the pot to check the roots. If it’s a mass of roots encircling the pot with little soil then it needs either root pruning or potting up into a slightly bigger pot for next year. Roots are really important so when a tree is dormant you need to check the health of the roots.
Sheff Steel Do you suggest adding compost during and fertilizer at her stage? During winter, I mean? I’m getting a tree delivered, and it has to be repotted into a 2 gallon. Can I just use well drain potting soil?
What sort of soil do acers like, I'm having trouble with a very small plant
I've had luck with diatomite / diatomaceous earth
I raise mine with 100 percent fine compost from grounded up trees,, i have every size you will find ,about 200 trees
If I want to keep a Japanese maple to a 4' level what gallon pot do I need? Thank you.
You can do it in three inch deep pot to two gallons technically your actually bonsaing your tree if its not a drwarf verity. Check out Herrons site they specialize in bonsai.
what kind of mix are these acer feeds?
Anybody got any tips on how to make my potted Acer grow upwards plz? It keeps growing long branches outwards n spreading. But doesnt seem to have grown UPWARDS at sll in the kast year or so. 😢
Can red leafed Japanese Maples grow leaves in spring ?
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.
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?
Keep watching UA-cam
I have a lovely red acre and has done very well for 15 years ,beautiful every year ,but this year it started to get brown tips and now all the leafs have died off and it's only July 😢,I've changed nothing ??
How much price is it and can I take other countries
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
You need to pray more. Ever heard of karma??? 😄 😄
Is it possible to ask you a question, Andy?
Monty Don has always done his potting the same way, nothing new.
It just amaze me that your soils are from a bag. I basically get my soil from around my house. Lol
Ahhh it's an advert.
Lol just an advert for acer feed. Regular mulching proves them free nutrients don't let autumn go to waste 🤪
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?
I have 3 acers of different varieties and they all lose their leaves every year around this time of the year so its normal. They get new leaves in the spring.
In short..the entire video was an Advertisement
This is an advert for Vitax acer feed pretending to be an advice video. Acers do not need ericaceous soil.....the truth is acer don’t like alkali soil but neutral souls are fine....it doesn’t need to be acidic. Also doesn’t need the extra feed the John Innes number 2 has enough. Too much feeding and plant food does them damage.
Sheff Steel The growing pot transfer trick was pretty cool though.
Totally agree .... so bloody annoying when they do this. Vitax Acer Feed my a*se. Not, not, not necessary.
Also .... if he's that good and that 'award winning' why does he need to do endorsements. Shame cos some of what he says makes sense. NOT all by any means!
Actually I've just realised the post is Vitax Garden World so perhaps I shouldn't be so harsh.
Well first time I heard about acer feed. It can t be wrong.but my acer is dry and its has ericacus compost
you didn't even loosen up the roots
no need for that. No need for that fancy potting soil or acer food either.
it is even better to not disturb the roots when repotting it in full season
You dont have to its going to stay potted,
This man’s name isn’t actually Andy, it’s Mr Vitax McVitax.
Not raking the roots out that's a good way 2 develop gurgling roots - this will lead 2 health problems for the tree in the long run.
Also, the pot was way 2 big for that tree
#gaypower
I will buy your "cahmpaughst"
guy looks like jeff bezos
Compohst
ACER ASPIRE 4698709
Russian AK47 The Terrible NAUTTP TRAT AA2020PT how do I take cutting from acer
Guessing your just here to sell vitax shit then
Helpful video. The only problem is the guy's funny accent. Why can't he speak American? 😄
probably because he's British...
its called English, been around long before you Americans starting changing it.
Good video. But your accent is funny. Why can't you learn to speak American?