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Red acer

B3B3 Posts: 25,190

I have a small acer. It's about two ft high.

Where shall I plant it out?

Would it be better to plant it in the spring or shall I leave it in the pot for another year? It seems quite content at the moment.

In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • You can plant it out into the ground, in a well drained site any time, but don't pot it into another container until April next year. The risk of potting up into a larger pot is that the roots sit in compost that is wet over winter, the roots haven't developed enough to take up excess moisture and they rot in the soil. Then when the new leaves emerge and call for sustenance from below there's nothing for them and the tree starts to die back.  

    I've got most of mine in a lot of sun, but I do ensure they're sheltered from drying winds, especially from the north and east. They love a sunny sheltered site (don't we all), where they can ripen their growth properly and develop the best colours through the year and in autumn.  

    H-C

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 13,693

    Slightly disagree with you H-C, they are really woodland plants, so prefer part shade, although agree with you on the shelter.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,190

    I have a green one that does well in partial shade. My main concern is whether the light conditions affect the colour of a red one. 

    Last edited: 12 September 2016 17:59:40

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 13,693

    Don't plant in deep shade, but not in full sun either.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,190

    Thanks for advice everybody. Light shade  with a few hours of full sun it is thenimage

    Last edited: 12 September 2016 18:51:19

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Also avoid an East-facing position if you can.  If the leaves get frosted in spring, early morning sun does them no good at all.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,190

    It is going to be almost full west facing so that's lucky BtGimage

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Perfect! image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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