is it too late in the year to plant in the ground my acer?

This is a good time to plant your acer out. It s a decidous tree so the leaves will be falling off very shortly. Try and find a sunny spot that is sheltered from the wind as the wind will devastate the leaves in summer.

you beat me to it bulb lol hope your ok mate .another good time is early spring just before they start growing .as a general rule these 2 times are the best times to plant or move most shrubs,trees and plants though with a lot of plants its spring that you need to plant them and i think if your moving a tree or shrub thats already bean planted .

Agree with the above, with the exception of "sunny spot" - Acers like partial shade, preferably dappled shade, but certainly need to be out of sunlight between 11 and 3 during high summer, otherwise the leaves will fry. So find somewhere to plant it that isn't specially windy, and isn't out in the open, exposed to the sun, at midday.

This is the weekend to plant/move Acers apparently...according to Moongrower who gave me advice on this back in Aug/Sept and I kept a note in my diary as I have one that needs shifting. So - I would do so ASAP Gena and find a nice semi-shady spot out of the wind...it will love it!
Happy planting.

well i wouldnt go bye actual dates i go more bye how the weather seams at the time realy.some winters latley its barley got freezing and the plants are only just out of leaf when there budding up again.with the exeption of last year which was quit consistantly freezing.but if you dont know any better and im not being rude then october mid to early march are when plants are generaly dorment.its not just the cold that makes plants get ready for winter infact id say it was more the change in the amount of light during the year.

my acers in my back garden are nearly all brown or of but in the front there still good and not even brown anywear.you realy want all the leaves of before you move it and before it buds up.this goes for most i think the words desiduace excuse the spelling plants,trees etc .......

I planted an acer a couple of days ago

Aha Noseypotter....but I asked a specific question about my acer when I first joined GOY - and MoonGrower as you will know - grows according to the phases of the moon.....and so she was quite specific as to when I should move mine...LOL
Personally - I do things " when they come up my back" as we say up here and when I FEEL it should be done. As it turns out I can't move anything - even myself - much less an acer this weekend as I am on crutches ....so sadly I can't try out her advice and so my acer stays put for now!!!

Well done Andrewr....you at least got it right according to Moongrower.....it will be interesting to hear how and if it thrives!!

It better survive seeing how much it cost!

EEEK! I can imagine! Been there and done that and got the cheque stub to prove it .....yes my acer is THAT old...no Visa in those days ha ha !!

Sun is not usually a problem for many forms especially those with purple foliage, a sheltered spot is ideal but constant moisture at the roots is the main requirement.

i didnt know that bit i take that back alzhiemer sorry

Don't be sorry, Noseypotter.....I had my eyes opened too!!! I am sure there IS something in planting and cropping in tune with the moon.....I just have never taken time to work it all out...LOL...too many other distractions I guess!!!

well that does govern our tides so it is a very big part as it goes

Sure does NP....and although never been tempted to go and dance on the lawn at full moon as they do in some parts ...I DO find that I don't sleep well then. SO ....there IS something in going along with nature and therefore the moon. Sadly it's all a bit late for me now.

you dont howl and grow a uni brow and go and eat people in a violent fashion do you lol

No thanks...I leave the howl and growl to my labradors and I am too low-brow and vegetarian - for anything else!!!

ok lol a veggie wear wolf how mad would that be lol

Disagree strongly with Bluespruce re the sun and Acers - Acer Palmatum dissectum varieties particularly will definitely have their leaves frazzled in hot sun, though it won't kill the plant. And I, like Andrew, would plant right now.

With you on that Bamboo....my lot - even the tree-sized ones are in partial shade due to massive fir and eucalyptus trees - that shelter them from the strong winds too - which don't half spoil a bonny acer at any time when they are in leaf. The one reason I should be shifting my shrub acer from the Sitootery right now is exactly because of the leaf burn due to BRIGHT sunshine...it copes well otherwise. This summer I just didn't realise how sunny it was and never pulled the blinds!

Most of our acers are in full sun and don't get burned. I always put this down to living so far north and not having the strength of sun as in the south of England. Interesting that Alzheimer, not much further south than we are, finds differently. It is definitely the wind that does for ours.

I have to say - my acers have survived and done so well by default really as I planted the (now) big ones over 30 years ago. And all I knew then was that - being native to Japan etc - in their natural habitat they are normally shaded by larger trees and so prefer partial shade. My monster Fir and Eucalyptus - and big silver birch - seem to do the trick and save them from both the searing heat and winds - which do FAR more damage, I agree totally Bulbaholic. As you will see from my recent pic....the bigger of the two was just ready to drop its leaves yesterday - and indeed today - the rain and the leaves are falling in equal measure!!! Makes a pretty - if sodden carpet though!!

Well in London, you won't get away with hot sun in the middle of the day on a delicate Acer - I've given up growing them on my south facing, very sheltered and very sunny balcony. I find the basic Palmatum not so bad, it's the ones with dissected leaves that really suffer. And it is, after all, a woodland plant.

Fair point Bamboo...you get far higher and more frequent high temps than we do up north of Hadrian's Wall!!! There is no way that the dissectums would cope with scorch in your situation. So there IS something to be said for living up here after all.... LOL

I suspect your scenery is an advantage, too, Alzheimer...

Thank you, Kind Sir...it sure is breath taking - especially in Autumn. However I am sufficient of a mongrel to know that the softer, kinder and more tree-laden countryside of Merry England is stunning and very appealing. One branch of my family were Sherwood Foresters long long ago - admittedly ....but I remember the glorious orchard of the old homestead nearby and fruit and veg like I have never tasted since!! Now that WAS organic food...mmmmm!

Bamboo - you can strongly disagree all you like, sounds like your jumping on the cliffo bandwagon to me.

A well respected gardening friend in Aberdeen suggests that at our latitude any location in the garden can be classed as 'part shade' because of the normally weak sunshine that we get. Guidance in most of the books are written for regions where more gardeners live ie English Midlands southward and we always have interpret sowing times etc to suit our own area.

Never thought about it before, but now that I hve, I guess that's true, Bulbaholic, obvious really.
Hah, bluespruce - not rising to the bait here, you'll have to wave your sword at someone else I'm afraid.... I've said what I said and I stand by it, I don't at all mind if you disagree, you're entitled to your opinion - but it works both ways.

Mine was in full sun and frazzled completely lost all its leaves very unhappy bunny,
have moved it to a more sheltered spot in the shade much happier! beautiful leaves apperaing and now even a deep red one again!!
so sorry I agree with Bamboo

Men are very strange Ive noticed on a full moon!

x x x

Is it possible there is a difference between Acers in pots and those in the ground? One of the two we had in pots got totally fried when we had our two week heat wave whilst those in the ground didn't bat an eye-lid (well I suppose it would be difficult for them to do so lol). What really does affect our Acers is wind... although we have created some sheltered areas the garden still gets a lot of wind and, whether it is global warming or not, we appear to be getting more and stronger winds - ditto rain being heavier.

Mookins, it isn't a full moon, right now the moon is waning and descending lass.

ok... I find men act strange on a waning and descending moon hehe

x x x

I just find men act strange.........:>>>))))

Glad to see you back MG...we have been having a bit of a discussion here about when to move a small acer and remembering your advice - way back in Aug/Sept to me as to the weekend of the 17/18th Oct being right ...according to the moon - for me to shift my one ...I offered up your words of wisdom. I will leave you to explain further!!!

Oh heck...

all eyes on moongrower
hehehe

x x x

I'm going to ground and to sleep given half a chance still full of the cold...

The man in this household can behave strangely at any state of the moon. Don't encorage him LOL.

Aye - the moon has a lot to answer for!!!!

Bamboo - many forms of Japanese maples can and are grown very successfully in full sun, although I'm sure either dappled or some afternoon shade are ideal. This is not just my opinion but fact. I have personally seen maples growing well in full sun in the US, from the Pacific Northwest, across the Midwest states and over to the Atlantic Seaboard. They are also grown in the Mediterranean conditions of Italy and many parts of Australia. Now I know you wont take my word for it, so perhaps you to should do some research. Try 'Japanese Maples' by the late great authority JD Vertrees, or check out the RHS advice on growing Japanese Maples, you can find this on the Internet.

Hmm, well thanks for the advice, though extra to requirements, Bluespruce. Not keen on "should's" and "ought's", and I can't stop the words "grandmother" and "suck eggs" from ricocheting around my mind...

Well, same as I found 'disagree strongly' extra to requirements.
No mention of 'ought's' by me either as far as I can see.

Thank you for the prompt to go to th e RHS for advice on Japanese Maples..this is what it says....
"Cultivation notes
If your soil is slightly acidic, sandy, well-drained loam with a good amount of organic matter, then you have the perfect conditions to grow Japanese maples. Do not worry if you have not, most can be grown in other soils. However, they will not tolerate wet, dry or very alkaline conditions.

Japanese maples will grow best in a sheltered position. Red and purple leaved cultivars need some sun to develop fully their dark hues. Variegated Japanese maples need partial shade to prevent the afternoon sun from scorching the foliage. Green-leaved forms tolerate full sun, but are best in dappled shade as very bright conditions can sometimes cause scorch."

"Shoulds and oughts" is an expression from psychotherapy and reflect an attitude of mind, so they're classed together because should is very often followed, eventually, by ought, Bluespruce. And I am, you know, perfectly entitled to "disagree strongly" - I may not agree with all you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it, and I expect to be accorded the same right from you, preferably in a polite fashion.

As I keep telling people, plants can't read. If you put them somewhere and they are happy, even if the books say they shouldn't be, who are we to argue?

Amen to that, Andrew.

Quit right Andrewr...and if by the same token - if the plant looks/ is unhappy - then move it!! Sod the books I say - just use your eyes!!!!

Common sense Alz. - which is often lacking...

In all walks of life MG.....quite agree!

Ach well time to get horizontal with Mr MB... zzzzzzzzzz

Bamboo - what I don't understand is why you would, and also use the term 'disagree strongly' just because I happen to state that it is perfectly possible to grow many forms of Japanese maples in full sun, which is correct information.

Alzheimer - just wondering what point you're making in quoting the RHS advise ?

Just following YOUR advice Bluespruce ..and as the RHS has recently changed its website somewhat ...I figured I would just quote it. It is -as you said - most explicit on the requirements of Japanese Maples.

Moongrower you saucy minx hehehe

Bluespruce you really have got a bee in your bonnet I notice. For no reason at all.
suggest people start taking a "time out"

x x x

Is this the next 'fir tree' war? If so I'll stop reading.

Me saucy Mookins - lol

Really Bluespruce, I think you're over reacting here, how about switching off your amygdalic response and engaging your pre frontal cortex for a moment? If you actually READ my answer where I "strongly disagree", I refer very specifically to the dissectum varieties. If you look at a later response, I say that palmatum generally seems to cope better in full sun, all of this based not just on knowledge, but on my own experience and, clearly, if you look through the site, many other people's as well. I can't see what the problem is - I'm sorry if you feel threatened because you feel I'm not in full agreement with you, but there's not much I can do about that - you're responsible for your feelings, not me. It is hard in these texts to convey emotion, so I don't know how this "feels" when you read it, but it's meant to feel detached and rather tired of the subject, with a hope that you may, in the end, see it differently, and at the very least, agree to disagree. And this is my final word on the subject - I can do no more to assuage your ruffled feelings.

It's a bit of a shame really, I was just beginning to think that maybe I had over reacted just a little, and was actually starting to feel conciliatory towards you. Then you had to go and spoil it all :0(
So after reading your latest comments to me, and as I previously suspected., I find you deliberately hostile, confrontational, and extremely rude, and there was you wanting to lecture me on politeness.

On a lighter note however - I did love your choice of words, very amusing - I'm impressed!

Right this really is turning into 'fir tree' # 2. Sorry folks can you please agree to differ and let us all get on with GoY land... I find it interesting as a 60+ female that I really can't be bothered to get hot under the collar about gardening matters... Life is to short to argue your corner. Unless the other person is giving seriously duff advice let it go and flow...

Oh for goodness sake "Grow up"
you silly silly man!

No problem for me Moon Grower, so long as Bamboo reins in that ego and takes the dictionary out of her gob (sorry mouth) I'm all for returning to normality. Just to show there's no hard feelings I've even made her a favorite :0)

Mookins and Moon grower, you two 'did' make me chuckle back there !!!

:o)
x x x

What is this, all girls together ?
You lot can keep having a pop at me as much as you like.
Mookins - I suggest you go and have a lie down, preferably in a darkened room xx

hahaha be even funnier if you got my name right
but good try!

Yes, you definitely got me there Mookins
Just corrected it, hope it meets with your approval ?

clever boy!

Children....children....this is most unlike GOY behaviour.
I am really sorry for poor Gena who asked the original question. She must be wondering what sort of site she is on with all this bickering.

My apologies to Gena for my part.

I apologise too Gena for certain comments on here. We arent usually like this, but sometimes moments like this occur, usually they go away

x x

Selective apologies duly noted ...and now - as the original question has been answered - very fully......may I suggest that - in the words of some wiseacre..."This conversation must cease"

Favourite? Oh, deep joy.... mirror, mirror, on the wall.... Apologies Gena, hope you found it entertaining, or stopped following when it got tedious ;-))

And so the happy GoYers went back their various tasks, uprooting mandrakes (ear-muffs 'not' optional), putting seeds to bed, leaping out into the middle of the lawn and shouting 'BOO' at the top of their voices to scarify the lawn and generally creating chaos and mayhem. They still kept a weather eye out for trolls, chocolate in any guise and guarding against GM crops on the horizon... There will doubtless be other disputations in GoY but whilst we all remember our common love of growing plants, eating (chocolate?) and blogging in the end ALL WILL BE WELL. xxx

Well said MG.....peace reigns.
Now what WAS I doing before that storm...oh yes ....preparing for the bigger storm outside. Horrid day out there ....no gardening possible that's for sure....great excuse to have a look at all the gardening catalogues that are piling in for 2010....LOL

B said you were having dreadful weather Alz. whilst we have barely seen the sun it isn't dire - thank goodness... but I am noticing as the sun rises later and later Mr & Mrs MB struggle to get out of bed at their usual time. Once I do retire - whenever that will be I wonder if we'll just get up later and later as winter approaches :-)

Take it from me,you will, Moongrower - I have great difficulty getting up on dull days, despite the open curtains and the south east facing windows. If its sunny, I wake, if its dull, I don't. Glad to be semi retired, and glad I decide where I go and when for any work!

Och I just have to wander through the house to my office - in my jammies if I want to :-) In fact given I use a laptop I can sit anywhere and work... Thierry has accepted I am not an early bird in winter, but then neither are media folk.

Sorry Gena, hope you have given up following this question

My labradors don't let me have a long lie....Di brings me my slippers at 5.45 PROMPTLY and if I pretend to be asleep - she just stands and barks at me!! No hope here - rain hail or gale and I think we have had the lot today...and the forecast is for more of the same for the next 48 hours....batten down the hatches time here on the NE coast!!

We've had nobbut a spit here in West London - its extremely dull and overcast, but no real rain, just a bit of damp. We could do with it, really, I mean if its going to so dull, it could at least have the decency to rain while its at it.

We have a weather warning for the whole of the east coast of Scotland - extending down the north east of England too....with flooding etc...wish I could send you some!!

Hey ladies, I'm thinking of doing a blog on growing Japanese maples - what do you think ? :0)

Good idea, though we might question some of your suggestions...

Whatever floats your boat, Bluespruce;-)

I wouldn't have it any other way Moon grower, all contributions would be welcome. Just need to find some decent photos from somewhere though.

Great...