Kitchen Garden Forum

Yes, know it's not a fruit or veg but my rather fine red acer is very potbound and I need to transfer it to a bigger pot, so advice please!
I can get it out of the pot (I hope) because the top is wider than the base but the roots are thick and tangled. Should I wait until all the leaves have fallen off, and then carve off some of the roots (like like one does with a bonsai)(and if so, what proportion?) and then backfill fresh potting compost around the edges in a bigger container? I don't usual fail with transplanting but am a bit nervous about this one as I don't want to kill it.

i transplanted 2 acers both of whch died
i'm not going to be able to help you
good luck

Don't worry Primrose - I've done this loads & you shouldn't lose the tree if you are careful.

Wait until the leaves have dropped and the tree is completely dormant - about end October or start of November. Water it really well and the root ball will come out more easily and hang together. You can root prune - just cut the really thick roots looping round the outside, but don't pull the rootball apart totally. Aim for 25% reduction max. This will stimulate the growth of finer feeding roots.

Repot into a slightly larger pot with John Innes No 2 (not peat based compost) and don't put any fertiliser in. Next year the tree should grow like crazy and you can start feeding the spring after that.

Sue

see i wasnt careful!

Oh Jopsy - I never meant to insinuate anything of the sort

Most failures are because people pot acers up into much bigger pots of general multi-purpose. They hate being in really wet soggy compost, especially over the winter.

I only know because winter time is when you pot on all your old stock and with my vast (3 years ) of experience in the industry I've potted on a ton of trees and shrubs - least that's what it feels like by the end of potting season

Sue

just kidding sue!