Re: Acers in tubs

Hi Jeff,

Jeff Layman wrote:
Emery Davis wrote:
Billit wrote:
I would like views on growing Acers in tubs, Could anyone tell me the
size of tub required and also the compost that would be most
suitable.
MO is drainage is everything, not too much peat (hard to wet once
dry) and not to acid. Acer palmatum should not be planted in
straight ericeous compost.


Yes, just about all refs give the need for "well-drained" soil.

But where did the statement about ericaceous compost come from? According to the RHS Dictionary of Gardening, "Most species prefer a neutral to slightly acid soil". None of the books I have make any reference to not using straight ericaceous compost.


"neutral to slightly acid" is standard for A. palmatum, as cited from Vertrees 3rd ed.
"Japanese Maples." I think the issue is that most ericaceous (my spelling error earlier)
compost one buys has too low a pH. (Tried to find rapidly the "ideal" pH for palmatum
but didn't see it.) I know of no serious collector who uses straight ericaceous compost.

See for example here http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/1579.shtml (and other pages with a google search on "acer" and "ericaceous compost").


Just FYI, this page tells us that we can plant this maple on chalky/alkaline soil.
Not impossible but it would require a very green finger indeed to get it to grow. Also
so to not get kicked out of the Society I am honour bound to mention that there
is no Atropurpureum group, nor is this a proper cultivar. What's found on the market
under this designation is a grex at best, but more likely seed grown plants of uncertain
habit and vigour.

FWIW, I have grown A. palmatum "shindeshojo" in ericaceous compost for 7 years. It continues to do well, and IMHO is still the best red-leaved palmatum cultivar around.


I'm glad your plant is doing well and that you enjoy it. I suspect the compost is
not so acid anymore unless you amend it.

Shin deshojo is a gorgeous maple in spring but is not known for holding it's colour
well into summer. For that reason Vertrees lists it as group 1a, (palmatum/upright/green),
and while van Gelderen et al put it in 1b (red) they mention that the leaves fade to
dark green in summer. Although I don't yet grow this one I do the original Deshojo (shin
simply means "new" in Japanese) and am very impressed by how well it holds its colour.
Since mislabeling is endemic with maples, if yours stays a good red all summer I'd wonder
if it is really who it purports to be!

cheers,

-E
.

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