Hello, I'm new to this forum, so please forgive my ignorance in advance. I need help desperately. I had just received this beautiful baby lace Japanese maple tree as a gift. It is potted, and it's about 2 feet tall. I wanted to wait and plant it next spring when our patio will done. My husband cut the bottom out of the pot and planted in the back of our yard, which is wooded. He mounded the dirt around the plant and put straw over the dirt around the tree to protect it over the winter months, but when I went out today to check on it, all the leaves are gone! No leaves, just poor little sticks coming out of the ground. Did we kill it?? Could I possibly try to replant it in my garden and would it survive the winter months til I can plant her in the spot that we want to plant it at in the new patio?? Thank you in advance for all advice, and I'm hoping that we didn't damage it.
Hi fantasia, welcome to the forum. Likely normal leaf drop, maybe a little premature because of a location change. It's best not to mound up any more soil around the trunk than the level it was already growing at in the pot. nor have the straw up against the trunk. Sounds like your husband is just protecting it for the winter and thinking of moving it later.
Yes, that's what he was doing. He thought that would protect it til we could plant it in the spring. I'll take the straw of it, and any extra dirt. Do you think that it will be ok then til we can plant it in the spring? Thank you so much for your response. I feel better already.
Well, I'm not really sure if leaving the pot sides on is the best idea or necessary. Other members may have some experience with the method in your climate.
I agree with that. I think that I should just plant it, then come spring replant her to where I want her to be. Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
I am going to stick my advice in here as someone who has a climate similar to yours, I think. I have been told that baby lace is not easy and may not be hardy enough, especially planted in the ground this late in the season. I'm afraid you may find it dead in the spring. I would suggest that you gently take it out of the ground (since the bottom is cut out of the pot) put it, pot and all, into another plastic pot (just so it will have a bottom), and store it in your garage or a cool (30 ish degree location) over the winter. If you don't have a place to store it, maybe you will have to leave it in the ground, but can you plant it right next to your house in some really protected area? What zone are you in? I'm thinking 5 or 6? Hope someone else chimes in from your area. They may be able to give better advice than I can. I just worry about putting it out this late. Kay
Thank you. Yes, we are in zone 5. I will take that into consideration, except that our garage is heated.. :) Thank you again. Greatly appreciate all the help that I've been getting. Will try to do some more reading up on it and take heed on the consensus.
