MEDIUM FOR A MAPLE

[Loretta]

Hi all,

I bought this little maple today...don't know if it's a Japanese or Trident, maybe you can tell. Searched the web for info and it just says free draining mix. Do you think it would like a richer mix with a little compost in it. At the moment it's just a pot full of entangled roots with no medium at all It's a little battler as I saw it 3 weeks ago and thought it was far too expensive for what it was, but today I couldn't resist it...didn't want to see it left on the shelf to die. Also, do they have delicate roots as I have a bit of combing to do I think Please advise tonite as I want to pot it up in the morning
cheers Loretta

[kcpoole]

Are you sure it's a Maple? Lokks like a Liquidambar to me

Either way, all may maples and LA's are are in my 2/3 Diatomite / 1/3 Zeolite mix and love it

Ken

[simo_5]

may i ask, how much did buy it for?

[Loretta]

Hi Ken,
I said to the guy "are you sure it's a maple and not a LA and he said yes... I bought a LA 3 ft high for $18

Ans Simo (I think that's who asked ) I paid $40 for it. The pot is worth $8 so the tree was $32 and if it's a LA I'm pretty angry

cheers Loretta

[simo_5]

im sorry to say it could be an la

[Jamie]

hi loretta, hate to make you angry but its a liquid amber, I have one just like that, sorry...

as for the medium i have used a 50% diat, 40% aquatic mix (richgro) and 10% organic. you may want to keep it in a dappled shade position but should be fine in full sun.

go back and tell old mate you want a free tree, a maple

[Dumper]

La for me.

not fuss with medium. love sun.

john

[Loretta]

Well looks like I have 3 Liquid Ambers now. I will pot it as you say and love it to bits. I bought 2 others for $18 each, they are about 3 ft tall and skinny...so I might put them in the ground for a year. Glenda has one in Mackay and hers turned the autumn colours this year so I will hope for the best in Tnsv. Thanks for your information and now I am still on the lookout for a maple
cheers Loretta

[shibui]

I agree. Looks like liquidamber with the extra small points on the leaves. The smell of liquidamber is pretty distinctive too and should give another clue.
Liquidamber and trident maple can take very hard root pruning without any problems. Japanese maple is just a little less tolerant but can still take substantial root pruning.

[Loretta]

I agree. Looks like liquidamber with the extra small points on the leaves. The smell of liquidamber is pretty distinctive too and should give another clue.
Liquidamber and trident maple can take very hard root pruning without any problems. Japanese maple is just a little less tolerant but can still take substantial root pruning.

Thanks Shibu, I've got a real mess to untangle so it's good to know it can take it.
Loretta

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi Loretta, It is definitely a Liquidambar. Maples have opposite pairs of leaves, Liquidambars have alternate leaves. If the salesperson won't exchange it for a maple or won't refund your money, you should consider taking your business elsewhere.

Cheers,
Mojo

[Loretta]

[quote="Mojo Moyogi"]Hi Loretta, It is definitely a Liquidambar. Maples have opposite pairs of leaves, Liquidambars have alternate leaves. If the salesperson won't exchange it for a maple or won't refund your money, you should consider taking your business elsewhere.

Cheers,
Mojo[/quote]

Hi Mojo
I think I'll keep it and see if something really nice comes of it. But I will mention it to them and let them know I'm not impressed with all the assurity I was given regarding it being a maple...maybe I should have known better myself. Just comes to show we tropicalites know nothing about deciduous trees...never see them Actually when I first saw it 3 weeks ago it just had a few buds on it and the staff told me (We thought it had died, all the leaves fell off it. We're amazed now cause it's got new shoots on it"..
cheers Loretta

[craigw60]

Hi Loretta, you have to think in time frames a bit longer than one year for ground growing, a minimum of 3 years to get good results, some of mine have been in ground for 5 years and may stay there for another 5, its probably best its LA because it will grow much better for you.
Craig

[Loretta]

Hi Loretta, you have to think in time frames a bit longer than one year for ground growing, a minimum of 3 years to get good results, some of mine have been in ground for 5 years and may stay there for another 5, its probably best its LA because it will grow much better for you.
Craig

Hi Craig
Things do tend to grow pretty fast up here (don't know much about LA's though. I just want a bit more thickness to the trunks but not inches, as each year I'm finding it harder to lift them. BTW, do LA's grow from cuttings, if so I could cut them in half and end up with a few.
Loretta

[Loretta]

Hi all, Please advise tonite as I want to pot it up in the morning
cheers Loretta

Well she's been repotted in a nice little autumn coloured pot, no huge rock to take up growing space so now I sit back and wait to see what she gives me. I think she's a special little tree after all the confusion and walking away from her prior to eventually buying. Thanks for all info and advise.
cheers Loretta