I have got a japanese maple in a large pot which needs to be moved, when is the best time to replant it?

Question

can i plant it in a south facing garden or should i just put it in a larger pot

Answer 1

The best time to transplant woody plant material like a tree is in the coldest time of your year.  The trees are dormant and transplant with more success.  Do not try to transplant a woody in the spring/summer when the sap is up.

Answer 2

hi you haven't told us were you country wise so to tell us which season your in

but here a web page that may help you with you question

http://www.bigplantnursery.co.uk/Growing...

Answer 3

Your plant can be planted out now.  The sooner you get it into the ground the better.  You don't want it's roots to freeze this winter.  If you decide to wait until the plant is dormant that is okay too I guess but you don't really need to.  Less shock to the plant if you plan to just put it in a larger pot. In that case I would wait until it is dormant but if you are planting it into the soil you don't need to wait.  If you do decide to leave it in a pot then you should heel it into the soil in the pot as they do in nurseries so that the roots do not freeze.  One reason trees live through the winter is because they have their roots in the soil where it stays warmer than the outside air temperature.    

The new hole should be twice the size of the root ball and about 24 inches deep.  I have noticed that Japanese maples do better in a protected area especially you live in an area with a lot of cold wind in the winter.  The south side of the house would be ideal but I have had success on North sides too as well as in the middle of the yard.  

Answer 4

You need to know your planting zone before transplanting it to the outdoors and you also need to know the hardiness of the tree.  Not all of them have the same hardiness.  Also some cannot tolerate as much sun as others.  The tree should have a tag with planting and growing instructions as well as hardiness.  If not maybe you can ask the garden center where you bought it.  Just remember the further south you live the more chance there is of the leaves being scorched/burned being planted on the south side the further north  it will be facing the challenges of battling freezing weather.

I always remove the tag and place in a envelope especially for all trees and shrubs that I plant and put it in the file drawer.

That also hold true when transplanting.  The rule of thumb is plant in the fall thus allowing the tree to establish a good root system during the winter months.  I would also suggest using bagged soil made especially for trees and shrubs providing the necessary nutrients in the fall.  Walmart has an excellent one but I can't remember the brand name or if it was a walmart brand. or this one

http://www.scottscanada.ca/index.cfm/eve...

FAQ's of Japanese Maple Trees

What is the best winter care for my tree?

Japanese maples can be grown in the landscape in Zone 5 with no special protection. Trees need to be well watered in the late fall and up until the ground freezes. Trees in zones colder than 5 will need to be grown in containers and over-wintered in a cold frame or an unheated porch or garage. In the containers they should be kept moist but not wet.

Light

Full to Partial Shade

Full shade means there is little or no light in the growing zone. Shade can be the result of a mature stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or building. Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn. Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problems; not only is there no light, but competition for water, nutrients and root space.

Partial shade means that an area receives filtered light, often through tall branches of an open growing tree. Root competition is usually less. Partial shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe-like structure. Shadier sides of a building are normally the northern or northeastern sides. These sides also tend to be a little cooler. It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive heat.

http://wheelersgreenhouseandnursery.com/...

Click on your state to find hardiness zone

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzma...

Answer 5

as far as the 'south-facing garden', you need to know if your tree is one that prefers shade or sunlight!..... where is it now?... in shade or sun?...if it's doing well, then match its circumstances when you replant it .... and Pondlady is telling you true.... wait until the first frosts have taken the leaves off the tree, but before any deep freezes, to plant the tree..... the tree will continue with root growth even in a slightly cold period before deep cold.... see that it's soil is kept moist during that time.... and mulch it in good... the mulch will help insulate the soil from the cold so that the roots can continue to grow, and it will help keep the soil moist, too.... do not fertilize the tree at planting.... give only liquid root stimulator if you do anything, and only do it once...

if you're in a warm zone where you don't expect deep freezes, still wait for cold weather in fall.... but  don't wait until early early spring, cuz the maple starts very early with the rising sap and that's not a good time to transplant.....