Let's Talk about Gardens

@gingerw I have a Japanese maple that I tucked in by the deck. Two winters ago a lot of snow accumulated on our metal roof, and when it slid off it broke branches on the maple. So I'm training branches with bonsai wire, to fill in that space. Damage is part of the bonsai look, often done intentionally. But snow sliding on it wasn't part of the plan.

Taking your tree out of the pot and trimming the roots could give it a chance at life. Maybe it needs a bigger pot, but not necessarily. Being root bound could be part of what's stressing it. You could leave some of the dead wood and make it part of its character. Pardon the rambling.

Have fun with it. If you kill it, it doesn't sound like you're attached to it.

Jim

Not much experience with Japanese maples or potted trees in our cold climate as the roots would freeze out, even in the shed. I do know Jim is right - trees have large root systems, to confine them you need to prune both root ball and branches to control growth.

I have 1/3 acres of mostly perennial gardens and a small bit of lawn, as well as many seasonal pots - I call it my park.

No gardener, but I do hire a nephew or my young neighbors seasonally for the heavy hauling and spreading of mulch, putting in landscape timbers, etc. We do have trimmers do our trees every couple years - I won't let hubby and the chainsaw climb anymore. My daughters and son-in-law do any heavy digging when trees/shrubs need to come in or out, and help put the cover the pond in fall & get it ready in spring - my hands won't deal with moving all the rocks I arrange around it, wrestle the sculptural fountain, etc. My husband handles the lawn, low tree trimming and keeps the underground sprinkler system going. And of course, I have my seasonal diggers helping thin the plants.

Mostly I just plod along 2-3 hours each day from April through October -keeps me fit and out of trouble. It was actually only a few years ago that I actually gardened a day every week for another woman in addition to handling all of my own work - how things change!

I'm trying to get everything in shape in the next month, before i have thumb surgery, so I can just sit on the patio and enjoy while I spend 2-3 months regaining use.
Sue

What about a hanging basket? You can get one in a variety of sizes and materials.
I cheat-I buy 2 hanging arrangements (in the green plastic hanging pot) and remove the hanger and put it in my porch pots. Just an idea.

@gingerw I used to have a Japanese maple. I love it because it changes color in the fall and really pretty. Don't know what you mean by stressed. I'm not a gardener like alot of you are, but if there are green shoots coming out, it probably is not dead. Can you put it in the ground?

Hi Sue,
Who has a Japanese Maple? I think they are big trees?
No, do not let your husband trim trees. I hire tree trimmers every other year. Too dangerous after a certain age to start climbing, especially with a chain saw.
“I open up” yard chores in March/April, and wind stuff down in October.
Also close down water feature until spring.
Where do you live? You mentioned cold weather. Are you on the east coast?
Hope your thumb surgery goes well. Is it arthritis?
I have a rare form of arthritis, that is controlled by diet.
I had one attack many, many years ago. That was enough for me.
Take care,
Funcountess

Hi Sue,
Who has a Japanese Maple? I think they are big trees?
No, do not let your husband trim trees. I hire tree trimmers every other year. Too dangerous after a certain age to start climbing, especially with a chain saw.
“I open up” yard chores in March/April, and wind stuff down in October.
Also close down water feature until spring.
Where do you live? You mentioned cold weather. Are you on the east coast?
Hope your thumb surgery goes well. Is it arthritis?
I have a rare form of arthritis, that is controlled by diet.
I had one attack many, many years ago. That was enough for me.
Take care,
Funcountess

@funcountess I am the one with a Japanese maple in need of attention. It is in a container along with some perennial bulbs. I think on the south side of the house, off the deck, will work for planting. There are some tall trees in next lot so it shouldn't get too much sun, and the house will probably break some of the winds that come through. I will try to save it, but not too worried it it falls under my brown thumb spell ;))

@sueinmn I ordered the Straw Bale Gardening book! Whoo-hoo! Waiting for it to come, so I can study it and see about getting started on at least a single bale.
Ginger
Ginger

Hi Ginger,
Yes I know you are the one with the Japanese Maple. Someone sent me a message about the Japanese Maple. I told themGinger had the tree, not me.
How is the orchid cactus doing?
Take care,
Had a lot of rain today. Very unusual.
Funcountess