First Attempt - Container Grown "Sharp's Pygmy" Japanese Maple zone 5b
Hi all,
I've decided to try and make this Acer Palmatum the main stay on my balcony; instead of spending a bunch of money each year on annuals, hanging baskets and such.
I've never owned a deciduous tree before, and I'm concerned about the continuous overwintering of the tree in a container; without a garage or any unheated space.
Since I bought it at the end of this Summer, I've decided to leave it in the nursery pot until Spring, and mulch it as a pot in pot set up with a 3.5mm plastic wind break.
So...... What I've done, is, obtained a rather large pot and some insulation (which I'm not sure will make a difference).
So I insulated the outside of the pot, and put a layer in the center around where the tree will set. Then I put mulch in the center up to where the bottom of the tree will be, then filled the rest of the pot up to the top.
From here, I inserted some garden stakes around the outside of the pot, pushed the tops through holes cut in the plastic, surrounded the tree and secured the ends of the plastic with staples. This way, the plastic can be slid up & down on the stakes.
I'm going to keep it in the corner over by the chimney.
I want to repot it into this same large container next year, I'm just not sure how to maintain it, other than root pruning the tree every 2-3 years; which will be a huge job.
Does anyone have any experience doing this? If so, suggestions welcomed.
Thanks,
Rob
Comments (12)
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Japanese maples
Comments (34)Happy to weigh in. I previously lived in Maryland Z7 for 5+ years b/f moving to PNW, and became Japanese Maple fan, growing several varieties, including Shishigashira, Waterfall, Tamakeyuma. I believe in a hot climate (Maryland), Japanese Maples do best with limited wind exposure (some type of screening really helps), and some (but not too much) sun exposure--from 3 to 6 hours would be ideal. When U get more sun (8 hours+), in a hot climate U R askin for leaf burn & stress. Stress factors (excess heat & drying wind) become more critical with the laceleafs/dissectums, which have more surface area exposed with their thin leaves (and R thus, more susceptible to leaf burn). In exposed spots in a hot climate, I would stick with larger-leafed varieties (whether green or red). I would plant a laceleaf/dissectum in more-favorable, sheltered spots (180% or more) of wind-screen protection with some sun, but limited sun exposure. I had great success with a Tamekuyama dissectum, situated against the house (and shielded on another side by bamboo), so his wind-shielding was probably 270% or so, with 4-5 hours of morning sun. Remember, though, this was probably near ideal situation for this maple, but he seemed very happy, and handled the tuff drought-ridden MD summers well....See MoreOnce again...Japanese Maples in Colorado??
Comments (17)Well, darn. I like the lacy-leafed varieties. I guess I won't waste my money. Or rather, if I do plant one, I'll have it in a large container and wheel it indoors over the winter. Or plant it somewhere very protected and realize that I may not have it for a long time. Another really interesting maple I saw at the Denver Botanic Garden is the paperbark maple (Acer griseum). I'm definitely going to include that for my gardening project whether or not I try any Japanese maples. The leaf shapes aren't as attractive to me as the Japanese maples. But the bark is very cool and they do seem to have colorful leaves in the fall. Also, they are more cold hardy than Japanese maples. It looks like they too might need some protection from wind and some attention to their moisture requirements. Since we had an extended period of temps below -15F this winter with under -20F overnight, I definitely consider us to be a solid zone 5....See MoreJapanese snowbell - anyone with experience growing in zone 5?
Comments (23)I’m a (very) latecomer to this conversation, however however, I stumbled across a lone specimen at a local garden centre 15 or so yrs ago. I had no idea what sort of tree it was or it’s growing requirements, (I was drawn to it on account of it’s heavenly fragrance - literally followed my nose to the thing:). Anyway, in our profound ignorance, we planted it at my mum’s house under a very large/old sugar maple (in Ancaster, Ontario) and the tree continues to thrive in that spot to this day:). I’ve been looking for a specimen for my own garden for years now without success. Does anyone know where I might locate one (Styrax Obassia/Large Leafed Japanese Snowbell specifically) in Ontario? if not, can you pls let me know the best tome to harvest the seeds so i can try to grow one for myself? Many thanks, Lisa O, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada....See MoreFirst Attempt - Container Grown "Sharp's Pygmy" Japanese Maple zone 5b
Comments (2)I am not very familiar with attempting to overwinter a JM in a container in your cold zone but I would tend to err on the very conservative side. Zone 5 is considered borderline for even inground plantings of JM's so extra caution is certainly warranted. The root systems of Japanese maples are very sensitive to cold - anything below around 25F can cause significant damage. Obviously, a Japanese maple in a container will be exposed to much colder temps than one planted in the ground with a vast insulating soil mass surrounding it and that increases with the elevated exposure of the balcony. I think huggorm's suggestion of the heating cable is an excellent next step and one that I would most definitely pursue. I truly believe you will need that additional source of heat to keep your little tree safe over winter....See Morehalocline
8 years agoZachS - If you're ever up by Wadsworth & Morrison Road, go west (the only way you can) on Morrison Rd, in about 1/4 mile on the right (North side of the street) there's a Buddhist temple (it's easy to miss). You can just pull in & park, get out & walk around,They have some nice JP's in raised beds and a pretty cool setting.
Robhalocline
8 years agoI just looked at my nurseries newsletter, and it was talking about WRAPPING the trunks of young trees. I know they have a fabric for that. Is it necessary for my tree?
Rob
ZachS. z5 Platteville, Colorado
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agohalocline thanked ZachS. z5 Platteville, Coloradohalocline
8 years ago
dale92539 Riverside Co SoCal
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agohalocline thanked dale92539 Riverside Co SoCalhalocline
8 years agoZachS - I decided to check out the O'Tooles down on S. Federal today and pick up some of that Tree Wrap. It's quite a bit different than the one on Colfax. I dug through just about every JP they had, they had a few for only $50, and a cool weeping variety for $129. (Ever meet their cat?) I ended up taking home a new "Kleims Hardy Gardenia"
I imagine that they utilize the fenced in area in the parking lot during the summer. Thanks for the tip!
Rob
ZachS. z5 Platteville, Colorado