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Acer tree seedling

Last post 17-11-2009 1:10 PM by Silver surfer. 5 replies.

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  • 07/10/2009 04:53 PM
    • NickR
    • Harrow, Middlesex
    • 05 Oct 2009
    • 26
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    Hello,

     I've got a beautiful Acer tree in my garden, its been there for about 35 years I think, so it's quite a bit older than me! Last year, for the first time ever, we discovered a tiny Acer seedling underneath the tree, so I dug it out and planted into a pot so that I could look after it in our greenhouse. Sadly this plant's leaves went crispy and fell off, and it never recovered :(

     But this year I found another seedling, its lost its 2 leaves now, but they didn't go crispy, I think it's just due to the time of year. I really want to help this little seedling to grow into a healthy little tree.

    Does anyone have any advice on how I could do this? Shall I keep it inside the greenhouse for winter, or place it outside? Would it be a good idea to pot it up in some ericaceous compost?, as I just discovered Acers like acidity.

     Any advice would be much appreciated,

    Many thanks,

     Nick
  • 05/11/2009 09:10 AM
    In reply to
    • EvaInNL
    • Holland
    • 25 Sep 2009
    • 61
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    Hi Nick,

     My parents had a couple of acers in their garden and I managed to propagate them without too much hassle. You're on the right track with the ericacious soil, where you're going wrong is digging up the seedling and bringing it into a greenhouse. It's too warm for them. Just dig up the seedling and put it in spot where it gets enough light, cover the soil around it and half of the seedling with fallen leaves and shield it from the elements with a cloche - I had an old wire laundry basket covered with plastic with a little hole in the top to allow the excess moisture to escape - and leave it to its own devices.

    There was a section on BBC Gardeners world just recently where they visited an arborium specialising in acers, can't remember the name though. They might have a website with tips you could check out.

    Good luck!
  • 05/11/2009 12:43 PM
    In reply to
    • NickR
    • Harrow, Middlesex
    • 05 Oct 2009
    • 26
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    Hello :)

    Thanks so much for your reply!

    The greenhouse warmth certainly now helps explain why they failed to do well, I guess I thought I was doing the seedling a favour bringing it inside, but now I know to keep them outside :)

    I'm hoping that the seedling will be ok, it doesn't look great, but it has lost its leaves for now, so hoping it will burst into life in the springtime! It's now outside in a sheltered spot.

    I'll definately check out the Gardener's World episode to try and find the part on the Acer Arborium, sounds really interesting, maybe I could even visit it if its not too far away.

    Thanks again for all of your advice,

    Nick :D
  • 05/11/2009 01:26 PM
    In reply to
    • EvaInNL
    • Holland
    • 25 Sep 2009
    • 61
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    My pleasure Nick, am glad I've finally got some knowledge to share rather than continually ask questions!

    I think the seedlings just need to harden up over the winter and it sounds like you've given it/them a good spot.

    Let me know what happens in spring!
  • 05/11/2009 04:24 PM
    In reply to
    • NickR
    • Harrow, Middlesex
    • 05 Oct 2009
    • 26
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    I'll definately let you know what happens with the seedling, fingers-crossed that I've rescued it now by placing it in the correct environment :) If not then I'll be on the look out for another one (or more), we've had one this year, and we got one last year too, but never had any for the previous 30 years!! Although I must say I wasn't a gardener until 2 years ago, so may not have noticed any acer seedlings! Now gardening and plants are taking over my life, I'm becoming a plantaholic if there is such a thing! hehe :)
  • 17/11/2009 01:10 PM
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    The Acers that were on TV were probably those at Westonbirt Arboretum. The National Arboretum.

     It is in Gloucestershire near Tetbury.

     Mid October is the really busy time, when people from far and wide, flock to see the spectacular colour of the maples in their autumn colours.

    However, it is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. Open every day of the year, including Christmas day.

    Please do not be put of by the word arboretum. Think of it as a zoo, but instead of animals you get trees and shrubs .Many of which are very old, rare or beautiful.

    Put in in your diary as a must place to visit!

    I just wish we lived nearer it so that we could go more often. I love it there.  It has a wonderful atmosphere.

    They even welcome children and dogs.

     http://images.google.com/images?q=westonbirt%20arboretum&rls=p,com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

     

    http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

     

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westonbirt_Arboretum