Repot trident maple in summer?

[Jeppy83]

Hey guys,

I just bought a trident maple a couple weeks ago. It’s current only small and I want to thicken the trunk. Can I repot it into a bigger pot so it can grow thicker. It the start of summer here in Australia. Is there any issues repotting now into a bigger pot?

Thanks

 

[Shibui]

Generally not a good idea to interfere with roots of temperate species while they are actively growing. It can be done but needs care and great conditions afterward. For best results, avoid repotting in the growing season.
However,
It is possible to 'slip pot' any time of year. Slip pot is moving the tree to a larger pot with minimal root disturbance.
There are some things to be aware of when slip potting:

• new potting mix should be similar to what's there. Roots do not like moving across a boundary between very different soil types. Water also doesn't travel well across such boundary which can leave the inner root ball either too wet or dry.
• If existing root ball is tight, tease out some of the circling roots so they are ready to move into the new media. cutting/breaking a few outer roots is OK.
• Plants often do not do well when moved from a small container straight into a much larger one. If the roots can't fill the new soil problems can develop. Best to move up just a pot size or 2 at a time.

 

[Jeppy83]

Thank you so much that’s very informative

 

[Jeppy83]

Generally not a good idea to interfere with roots of temperate species while they are actively growing. It can be done but needs care and great conditions afterward. For best results, avoid repotting in the growing season.
However,
It is possible to 'slip pot' any time of year. Slip pot is moving the tree to a larger pot with minimal root disturbance.
There are some things to be aware of when slip potting:

• new potting mix should be similar to what's there. Roots do not like moving across a boundary between very different soil types. Water also doesn't travel well across such boundary which can leave the inner root ball either too wet or dry.
• If existing root ball is tight, tease out some of the circling roots so they are ready to move into the new media. cutting/breaking a few outer roots is OK.
• Plants often do not do well when moved from a small container straight into a much larger one. If the roots can't fill the new soil problems can develop. Best to move up just a pot size or 2 at a time.

Thank you so much