Hello. I am new to the forum and hoping for some guidance. Actually before I go any further I should mention I am new to gardening. This is our first yard so this is my first go at any real attempt at gardening. So definitely put a 'novice' tag on my forehead. I love love love JM's. I have ordered a few and the ones going in the backyard are going to be in containers for a few years before they find a permanent home in the ground. I've read some conflicting information on the size of container needed for JM's. I'll be using cedar containers, I just need to know which size to pick up! The JM's going in containers will be: 2-3 y/o Ukigumo 2-3 y/o Inaba Shidare 3-4 y/o Katsura 3-4 y/o Beni schichihenge I would also like to put some ground cover plants with them in the container - putting that out there in case that affects the size of container I should seek. Oh one last question - recommendations for the type of soil I should pick up? Thank you very much!
I woke up early this morning and can't go back to sleep, so I'll jump in here and tell you how I grow my container maples. You will probably get a zillion suggestions. When I first get a new maple for a container, I usually get a pot (or make one, I love cedar boxes) about 2-3" larger than the pot it's growing in. I try to repot every two years in the fall, not necessarily into a larger container, but to put in new potting soil. I use the KISS soil (keep it simple, stupid) method. 1/2 pine bark, 1/2 compost and add mycorrhizal tablets to it (mycorrhizalproducts.com), then top it with mulch. I plant all kinds of small perennials in the containers: mini hostas, groundcovers, gingers, heucheras, small conifers, etc. If they eventually get too big, when I replant, I take them out and put them into the ground and find something else. Oh, I also have tons of moss around and use that a lot, but the chipmunks and squirrels are bad about taking it out. That's about it. Right now all are stored in the garage for the winter where they get no light and stay at about 30 degrees F. I water once a month, sometimes by throwing snow on them (if available), and they do pretty well. Of course, my climate is different than yours; the winters are a lot rougher. You will probably keep your containers outside in a protected place. Good luck. Kay Dye
Thanks for the above advice. We are using cedar planters and I had to purchase them (we dont have the tools to make them and found a local guy who makes them for a great price!) before the trees arrive because I mail ordered them and didn't want them hanging around unpotted for very long. A coworker suggested a general size range so we ended up going with 22" squares. Some places I've read don't seem to worry about planting them in too large of containers while some sources say they're happy in a snugger fit. So size-wise I was a bit confused - I just want them to be happy. But they're ordered now so no looking back! We plan on treating them with a water sealant as I dont favor the silver patina they get once weathered. How long should I let them stand before tossing soil and tree in? I love hearing how people handle the general care of their potted JM's. Gives me an idea of what I should plan on in the future.
niroha, Good luck with your plants. It's very exciting to receive plants in the Spring and watch them take off. If you use a rapidly draining medium in your planter a large size will likely be fine if you can manage the moisture level. Too much rain could be a problem. Japanese maple trees can grow large in 22" sq pot. I second Kay's advice about the soil mix and re-potting. You can go at least 2 years before your roots get cramped. It's easy to take a peek and get a sense of how crowded the pot is. I have used cedar planters. I liked them because they won't splinter in our Winter freezes. I was maniacal about sealing, using an eco-friendly sealant. I let them dry thoroughly in the sun for just a day or so before planting. I used the water based Thompson product. It was fun to do the work and enjoy the planters for a while. Over time I've switched over to higher quality clay pots. I didn't find the sealant very effective. Post some photos when you're all set-up.
I will definitely get pics up. Our backyard will be mostly potted JM's because I have visions for the backyard and I don't have the heart to plant them and then redig them up once we're ready for some serious landscaping. There is a small space in the front yard that I am going to turn into a dwarf JM garden. If anyone has ideas for some small (3-4 ft tall/wide and smaller) companion plants I am all ears! That and ground cover. The next several weekends are going to be very dirty and full of blisters.
