In zone 5 I have the constant decision to make to determine if a maple should be in a container and stored in the garage overwinter, or try it in the ground. What seems to happen is that I will have some that do really well in containers. So well, in fact that they grow too fast. At that point, I have to decide if I they should go in the ground. On the reverse side of that, I have some that no matter what I do seem to be unhappy in a container after 3-5 years of trying to alter soil, container, etc. What makes it especially confusing is the results. I had a Johnny's Pink that was growing like crazy in a container and since I wasn't that excited with it, I put it in the ground. It had a lot of dieback the next spring. I also had a Tsuma gaki and Kurui jishi that kept dying back, but no sign of vert. wilt. They became so ugly, I thought I'd just put them in the soil (next to Johnny's Pink) and let them die. Well, of course they haven't and look pretty healthy, still ugly but healthy. I put Villa Taranto in the ground after being in a container for about five years because it was so vigorous and large. It is doing great and has been in ground for a couple years now. There are others... but you get the point. So this year I am looking at some that are doing so well and are so vigorous in containers that I'm wondering if I should put them in the ground. One is Acer pictum 'Usugumo' and it is so beautiful I am terrified to try it (if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?), but it's getting to the point where I will have to start doing some root pruning to keep it small, which also terrifies me. Same situation with my Acer buergerianum 'Mino Yatsubusa'. Then I have some palmatums that are just growing like crazy in containers: Crimson Carol and Orange Dream and the scariest one of all is Kiohime. It grows so fast, it needs repotted yearly. So, how do I make this decision? Is it just a matter of taking the chance? Kay
My solution - I graft them so that I have more than one, then plant one in the ground and keep one or more in pots. No stress! I can then experiment all I want.
Well, since I have tried at least 20 grafts and had only one take, I don't know if that's an option for me:) It is a really good idea though. THe only other problem is age (mine, not the maples) because as time ticks by I have less of a chance to see my maples approaching maturity. THen again, I always joke with people that if I keep them in containers, I can take them to "the home" with me and continue gardening until I'm dead. Kay
Follow my grafting tutorial. I think my method is so easy to do that I think anyone can have reasonable success with it. And practice! You have to keep doing it to get good at it.
