Suebot - You will definitely have to amend that soil. Japanese Maples demand excellent drainage and acid soil. As a first step, I would suggest removing the soil to a wheelbarrow or something and lining the bottom with a layer of gravel to help improve the drainage. Then, to the soil I would go ahead and add the peat moss (helps w/acidity) as well as a lot of coarse sand and maybe some organic compost or composted manure. As for how much of what to put in, you may have to experiment (or ask your local nursery) to get the drainage you need. I've included a link to an article that tells you how to test the drainage of a small amount of the mixture (as well as a good fertilizer regimen). I would start out with a mixture of half soil/half sand with some peat moss and compost thrown in and go from there. I hope all that trouble doesn't discourage you from planting a Japanese Maple! That article you posted mentioned some good cultivars, but my favorites have to include 'Dissectum' and 'Waterfall.' Just remember that cultivars with perennially purple leaves need more sun than I think you can offer, but green cultivars will make up for it by putting on a breathtaking Autumn display! I think your container would overwinter well outdoors. With the right soil mixture, I think it will reward you for many years to come. Oh, and no matter what you ultimately decide to plant in it, can you post a picture of it when it's done? You've piqued my interest and I would like to know how it turns out for you. Sorry for the long post! I tend to be a bit long winded sometimes! --Joe Here is a link that might be useful: Potting Japanese Maples

Thank you everyone for the questions and advice!! Both trees are in my backyard, not in containers but in this I would call a raised bed?! The previous owner loves gardening so I think the orange tree probably got quite a few years in it while the lemon looks pretty young to me. Since I took over a year or two ago, I fertilized about twice a year with those MiracleGrow sticks for citrus. The trees receive a lot of pine needles from several huge pine trees on a slope behind the orange tree, however, I have not tested the soil PH. I'm in zone 10 and my yard unfortunately is facing northwest which I believe resulted in less sunlight and colder temperature in the winter. Below I've posted some pics of the trees: Here is a link that might be useful: Meyer and Lemon Trees

Well, with regards to my last post I just want to say thank you to all of you who bothered to give me advice, and that my plant is now sprouting leaves! Thanx 2 ALL; I guess I just needed to give it some time--apparently. :)

My Electrolux has settings between 0 thru 9 and with half steps in between those numbers, IE 4, 4.5, 5~~~~~etc. I can't recall the last time I needed one of those "Half steps". Changes in temp that you make happens faster with induction, as you don't have to wait for the gas burner, and its grates to heat up or cool down to the changes you just made. Also you can always go to the "Exact Temp" that you want, (time and time again with induction), IE "4" will always be the same temp, where as with gas, and the way the knobs are marked, (or more the case, "not marked"), it's hard to set the temp to "exactly what you had it set to", last time you used it. Of course the above isn't really a "Big Deal", as just about all cooks look at the "action in the pan", and adjust the temperature based on what's going on inside the pan, alto those that use gas may peer underneath the pan, just to get the temp in the "ball park range", but what's going on inside the pan is what really determines the heat settings, for both gas Induction and even conventional electric. What I would do, is google Induction griddle, or induction capable griddle and see what you can find, and find reviews on same. With gas or induction, a "Quality Pan or griddle" in this case, is More Important that the source of the heat. (IE a cooking vessel that transfers heat evenly and fast), is going to do more to get your pancakes "even", than will the choice of heat used. I say that based upon using just "El Cheapo" aluminum pans on my gas cooktop outside, where as I mentioned, I have to keep stirring continuously, versus using better pans, (All Clad knockoffs)" with the induction. I have tested for the evenness of temperature across the better pans, plus no constant stirring required when I use the better pans. I think the copper in the "All Clad Knockoffs" (Emerilware) contributes to the even heat distribution across the pan. OK, I just followed my advice as far as googling for "Induction compatible Griddles", and I found this thread, which You may find "useful". http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/827956 Hope this helps! Gary