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Acers in pots
First urg question [so be gentle ]... I really hope this doesn't sound as daft as it might first appear but... I've got 4 small Acers [my own little Acer glade, for anyone who knows the wonders of Westonbirt Arboretum. ] in pots on the dappled, shady side of the garden. They're all doing quite well - albeit showing the signs of a dry and warm wind summer, with some of the tips going a bit crinkly - but I have a question about watering: All the Acers are planted in an ericaceous compost [and top dressed with a decorative gravel/slate mulch to help retain the moisture], and this year I added a water butt for these watering purposes. However, this summer has been so dry that I haven't really had enough rainwater to use in these pots. But I've also been mindful of the fact that tap water will effectively wash all the acid from the compost, so the question is essentially this: Is it best [assuming the Acers don't look like they're about to keel over and die, obviously] to keep them relatively low on water and *only* water with rainwater from the butt when available, or isn't the ericaceous such an issue with Acers and I would actually be better off keeping them well watered with tap water. Thanks. -- Flower Bobdew South Facing Garden South West: UK |
#2
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Flower Bobdew wrote:
First urg question [so be gentle ]... I really hope this doesn't sound as daft as it might first appear but... I've got 4 small Acers [my own little Acer glade, for anyone who knows the wonders of Westonbirt Arboretum. ] in pots on the dappled, shady side of the garden. They're all doing quite well - albeit showing the signs of a dry and warm wind summer, with some of the tips going a bit crinkly - but I have a question about watering: All the Acers are planted in an ericaceous compost [and top dressed with a decorative gravel/slate mulch to help retain the moisture], and this year I added a water butt for these watering purposes. However, this summer has been so dry that I haven't really had enough rainwater to use in these pots. But I've also been mindful of the fact that tap water will effectively wash all the acid from the compost, so the question is essentially this: Is it best [assuming the Acers don't look like they're about to keel over and die, obviously] to keep them relatively low on water and *only* water with rainwater from the butt when available, or isn't the ericaceous such an issue with Acers and I would actually be better off keeping them well watered with tap water. Thanks. Acres don't need ericaceous compost- the would not like a very alkalne soil but a convertional jon Innes mix will do tham fine so do not worry about using tap water. I grew a collection from seedlings and whip a few years ago and grew thwm in pots for around 10 years (root pruning every two years) until they eventually got too big and unhappy (being random seedlings not nnamed cultivars they were reversions to the taller growing form) pk |
#3
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p.k. writes
Flower Bobdew wrote: Is it best [assuming the Acers don't look like they're about to keel over and die, obviously] to keep them relatively low on water and *only* water with rainwater from the butt when available, or isn't the ericaceous such an issue with Acers and I would actually be better off keeping them well watered with tap water. Thanks. Acres don't need ericaceous compost- the would not like a very alkalne soil but a convertional jon Innes mix will do tham fine so do not worry about using tap water. In which case, are they generally happy[ier] well watered. Bearing in mind the kind of summer's we're having these days too. I grew a collection from seedlings and whip a few years ago Hmmmm... It appears I'm short of knowledge in my garden terminology department. Uh, either that, or you were being particularly harsh! [Nah, I don't talk to my plants, I whip 'em into shape! ] and grew thwm in pots for around 10 years (root pruning every two years) A couple of mine are two years old now. Would it be wise to begin taking them down this root pruning, erm, route? Why? If so, care to share some tips and/or provide a useful link. Ta. until they eventually got too big and unhappy (being random seedlings not nnamed cultivars they were reversions to the taller growing form) Mine [the potted ones] are 'named cultivars', but are all grafted. I'm not sure if that makes any difference? [Incidentally, I do have a Sango-kaku in the ground, and its taken beautifully in the 18 months since it was planted. Someone else gave me a tip last year to prune-it-to-shape at the end of August - which sounded criminal, with Autumn approaching!!!! - but it really has rewarded me with becoming a wonderful specimen this season. [I just pruned it again, very lightly this time, today. ] -- Flower Bobdew South Facing Garden South West: UK |
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