Help

[Oxo01]

So i bought 2 acer plants few months ago.
One is in approx 7 ltr pot the other in 3 litr, the biggest is about 4ft at high

I kept them in the pots they were delivered in as was not root bound by looks of it.

I've only been watering when dry using finger test.

Last time I watered them was about just over a week or bit more ago I think.

They both look healthy have lots of the red leaves on although a few a bit shriveled.

However I was recently looking at how to protect them in winter.

I pulled the big one out of the pot and found the roots ok still but it was soaking wet at the bottom.

They have good drainage as I've tested them and they are on stands with wheels so not on the ground at all.

I've covered the top of the soil a bit the last few days due to lots of rain to prevent more wetness and i figure what's best to do now.

I need to put mulch on tops which should help but what should I do about the soggy bottom before this. ?

Should i try and take a bit of the soil its in off and put some dry in to try and dry it out a bit ? But that would maybe mean disturbing the bits of roots. Then mulch it ?

I was thinking i will be lucky if they survive the winter as never had them before but this looks like I wont get past xmas if they die of root rot !
Appreciate best way forward.

In my experience, they don't like pots.

I'd plant out ASAP if I were you

@Notinmylifethyme
I cant yet as garden is bare and clay soil.

I am confused. Your protecting then for winter? So they are outside. Yet you are watering them in Autumn?

Honestly you are doing too much. Just stick them in the garden in their original plastic pot (if in an another decorative pot then need to place it on a brick or some feet so it can drain).

Acers are hardy. Stop messing with them and leave them alone. They will be fine. 👌

I've got Acers in pots. They were a couple of quid each from Lidl years ago. I repotted them into larger clay/terracotta pots after a couple of years and they have been fine ever since. I have never mulched them for winter. They are in a fairly sheltered, shady spot beside the shed and a large Photinia.

I scrape off as much of the compost as I can each Spring and top dress. My usual mix is 5 parts fresh compost, 2 parts topsoil, one part horticultural grit and a handful of blood, fish and bonemeal. The grit is essential for long term plants in pots for drainage.
.

Thanks @Todooloo
Yes i watered them few weeks ago as they felt dry then but didnt water them that much to make it so soggy at bottom.

( Probarly was due to rain ) then I realised it was wet when I looked at the roots few days after.

The original pots have been put in very slightly bigger ones, good drainage etc and they are on plant holder with wheels. So off the ground.

I dont want to put them in the ground at mo as the clay makes it really hard to dig deep enough.

So I just want a way to dry it out besides not watering it more .

Thanks for info @ Redrosesposies
Yes plenty keep them in pots.
Mine are dwarf ones so wont get too big.
My plan was maybe put in garden once I had it redone or keep these in pots and plant different th8ngs in ground but couldnt get a landscaper to do total makeover (long story).
Just got someone few days ago to have a look but now i just cant face a total garden makeover now its raining all the time and winter etc.

Ok great! We have found the issue.

The plant stand below the decorative pot is pointless (you can have it if you want but it’s not achieving harm nor good).

The plastic pot needs lifting from the base of the decorative pot.

That is all. It will dry itself as long as it can breathe. Do not water. Do not faff or try to dry it. Do not mulch it. Just raise it and put in sunny to partial shade spot and leave it alone.

Thanks @Todooloo
The pot inside decorative pot is raised as well .
I only put it on wheeled stand as it was very hot some days and I didnt have a lot of shade at all as garden is / still is bare basically and it is heavy / bulky as thought i was getting garden redone !
So all I need to do is leave it alone 😂

@Vikolb Thank you for info
Yes i was doing well since I got them or so i thought.

Agree that putting mulch on a already soggy plant isnt a good idea

Going to have to knock something up as no shelter anywhere at mo.
Garden is either a sun or wind trap !

I used the large garden umbrella untill recently but got too windy so took it down.

Although I still have a garden swing which is covered ( i had a cat box on it as Kiki loved to go in it if it rained / in winter but she died in Sept )

I was going to dismantle it as old and never used by humans so I may sit pots on there for now but not cover it completly to enable air flow.

I will update accordingly lol
Thank you

Er... they are in pots, they can't climb out and go looking for water if it hasn't rained enough. Doesn't matter what time of year it is, you still need to check whether outside containers need watering.

I have been a professional gardener for 20 years. The only pots I water are bedding in summer or rain shadows (ie. Under the eaves of a house north facing) and severely shrunken hydrophobic pots. If the soil mix is correct then you really don’t need to water pots in autumn; even bedding let alone perennial pots.

I'm sure you're right... if the soil mix is correct, as you say. But that won't necessarily be the case, so people still need to check anyway.

The clay in my garden is so hard, I can't dig, I bought a huge drill bit and use an electric drill to loosen the ground when I need to put anything in.

Works for me.

Op, have you got some gravel between the plastic pot and the decorative pot? This will give space for any excess water to sit without touching the roots

@CharnwoodFire I put small stones between them ensuring no blockages.

Water is draining well out of both.
I think it just so wet after lots of rain So found it hard to dry out despite not watering them .