Too late for feeding this year,but if your trees have been in the same pots for longer than a couple of years, they probably need either bigger pots or, yes,planting into the ground,they've likely run out of root room...

Thanks bamboo ,I was hoping I could leave them in the pots they’re in.
Makes sense and thank you.

I have recently been told that sulphur chips help Acers with healthy growth, but maybe it’s too late in the season.

Sheilabub - sulphur chips just help slightly with acidifying the soil - they're not a nutrient source. Acers generally don't need acid soil anyway - they just don't like limey soils,they're fine in a neutral ph.

My neighbour runs a nursery solely growing Acers and she feeds with liquid seaweed in the growing season. They are all resting from now till spring. I know she does her first show in Wales in April because this year she had quite a few without full leaves due to that "beast from the east".

That’s interesting Bamboo, and you’re right of course. I knew that really but my thinking was muddled. I was ordering a new Acer from Bluebell nurseries and had a phone call to warn me that A. Jordan wasn’t looking its best: I said I could always give it some Sequestrine, but was advised that sulphur chips are cheaper . . . he gave the impression that they represent a continuous feed!

hmm, well Sheilabub, I'm probably just an old cynic ,but honestly, the twaddle you get told by places that sell plants, even plant nurseries rather than garden centres... my neighbour has come back from Lincolnshire today with a Cornus sibirica variegata that I asked her to look for to put in the gardens here. The nurseryman gave her strict instructions re not pruning it at all this year and selected the one "with the best shape" for her (she knows nowt about plants). I had a job not to fall about laughing - you should see it - its a short central stem (3 inches) with 5 thin branches each about 4 feet long, drooping downwards at the ends cos they're not thick enough to have supported the weight of the leaves.. I bet he's glad to see the back of it, frankly. If he thinks I'm leaving it like that all winter, he's got bats in the attic - wind rock springs to mind, not to mention the branches will be touching the soil after planting. My fingers itched to grab the secateurs to reduce the lengths by half,which I most certainly will do when I plant it tomorrow - he should have pruned it earlier this year in spring.... She''s been fooled because it looks to her like a big plant, but its only in a one litre pot...it'll be fine next year though.

Aargh! I hate stunts like that! Those give all of us pros a reputation like the worst of used car salesmen--apologies to all of you many good used car salesmen out there.

That just shows . . shopping in person can be safer than online. Maddening for you Bamboo :(

Except she WAS shopping in person - I had no such problems with my two online orders during the last 3 months and had I not been happy with something they'd delivered, they would have replaced after a complaint... No, I'm afraid choosing plants in person, if you know nothing of plants, is as bad as buying a second hand car... except for the odd occasion when you find a knowledgeable, honest person at the nursery. My neighbour likes to buy larger plants, but does not realise pot size is a good indicator... and doesn't know what the plant should have looked like anyway. Never mind, it'll be fine next year... its certainly alive!

And yes Tugbrethil, it must be appalliing to hear these stories, gives everyone in horticulture a bad name...but very occasionally, you do come across some honesty and good help, even if they just admit they're not sure or don't know...

You're right, Bamboo - I realised my mistake too late to change it.
And yes of course, most online retailers are perfectly willing to make amends, though why Hayloft recently sent some dry-as-dust and completely dead Rhodohypoxin I've no idea! However I sent them a photo, complete with label, and they have promised to send a refund . . .

Never ordered from them - mostly I use Jacksons online nurseries or Crocus - with the latter, usually only if they have a sale, and boy, have their prices gone up this year...

Yes, Crocus are very expensive - it’s probably because of all that wrapping they use! My best buys this year have been from Dorset Perennials and Knoll Gardens: big, healthy plants from both, so well worth the postage.

I had an acer in a pot and then planted it in the ground and it grew huge, so make sure you have plenty of room if you want to plant them in the ground.

Wow - do you know which variety it was Hywel?

No idea sorry Sheila, I bought it in Woolworths for £1 many years ago :)
I have to keep cutting it back and I am thinking of putting it in a tub for next year (if I can dig it up !)

Thanks for all the advice on Japanese maples.