Acer seedling from Osakazuki

Cellski · Post by **Cellski** » April 26th, 2015, 4:01 am

Hi,
I planted an Osakazuki $59 from Plants Plus out the front of my house 3 years ago, last year at the end of winter i re-mulched the front garden with Green wizard pine bark and in spring i had a baby maple with 2 leaves growing under a Port Wine Magnolia. I was very supprised as i only remember seeing a couple of seeds that disappeared as the seasons changed not having a chance to collect them. ive just left it alone all this time and it still only has 1 pair of leaves, i would have thought at least another node would have grown.

Im thinking of collecting the seedling when it is dormant this year or maybe allowing it to grow another season in the ground before i remove it, because it is so small i dont want to shock the seedling to death, at the same time it cant grow on top of the base of a Michelia figo hedge.

Any suggestions?

Daluke · Post by **Daluke** » April 26th, 2015, 7:59 am

If it's your garden, I'd leave it. He was happy germinating there why risk losing it by moving it.

I was in the same boat, but had 10 growing. I lost two.

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » April 26th, 2015, 10:24 am

Cellski wrote: ...at the same time it cant grow on top of the base of a Michelia figo hedge.

Any suggestions?

Can you define "grow on top of the base" or put up a picture? It sounds to me that it's not in any dirt... And that may be the reason it's not growing!

They need some dirt for food (nutrients) and if they can't get those = dead tree...

Cheers
Elmar

Cellski · Post by **Cellski** » April 26th, 2015, 11:31 am

Here is a photo of the seedling taken today

This Figo is planted in the ground in a 35cm plastic pot then mulched over so you cant notice.
@CoGRedeMptioN, i think you are right the maple doesnt really have a chance to grow

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » April 26th, 2015, 2:24 pm

I'd wait until dormant and then dig up the Figo (or at least loosen up the ground) and try to gently get the Trident out - it's what I would attempt!

Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong!

Cheers
Elmar

shibui · Post by **shibui** » April 26th, 2015, 8:09 pm

Competition from the other plants and a lack of nutrients will slow the growth. There should be no problem transplanting the seedling. I usually just pull them gently by the stem because you actually need very few roots for them to transplant ok. I would do it this winter. If you leave it another year it may get bigger but then you will need to dig further to get it out which will be more difficult with the other plants around and besides in a pot you will be able to feed and water better so it should actually grow better than where it is.

Also remember that even though there is an osakasuki nearby this seedling is NOT osakasuki. Any seedling is a random new combination of genes so it is a completely new variety, even if it has some characteristics of the parent. I can't see what trees are near your place but this seed could also have blown in from another garden nearby.

AusBonsai