Hi all can someone tell me what sort of grit you use in your Acer compost I have read there are many types most seem unsuitable don't want to make any mistakes as I am new to growing them I am from Wales uk thanks so much Rich.
Hi Rich and welcome to the maples forum. I use horticultural potting grit mixed with John Innes no3. I also mix in potting pine bark and perlite. Basically anything that gives good air circulation and good drainage. Maples like moist roots but not soggy.
I use pozzolan (5 mm, hard to find) and/or pumice and composted pine bark : I'm lucky to have a wholesale retailer near where I live and I can buy 30 litres bags for a very reasonable price.
The thing is, pozzolan has holes, and sharp edges : it can retain a bit of water, and split the roots into finer roots; Pumice, weighs lighter, very good when you want to move a pot and your back is sore; If "grit" is from flint or granite and is between 0.5 and 1.5 centimetres, it will just add weight to a pot; If "grit" is 1.5/3mm granite (or neutral rock), the white roots like it with fine compost.
