Acer in Pot problem

[Robinia]

Pt. 1 - due to posting probs....
I've had an acer in a pot for several yrs & I'm pretty sure that (even though it's on little feet) it's put roots down through the drainage hole which is now blocked & causing waterlogging. pic taken earlier this yr

[Robinia]

Pt. 2

I wanted to get it out of the pot anyway but have found out that the best time is just before it comes into leaf. That in itself is a prob as you see it's a bellied pot, so someone stronger than me will have to saw round & down through the roots if that's possible.
However it's starting to look a bit distressed, so would you......


leave it until next spring but keep surrounding ground damp & not water the pot?
or
get it out now by digging & sawing etc?
or
smash the pot off it? (which would be a shame - acer and pot were both gifts).

[horty]

Hi Robinia, Don't stop watering your acer, if I was you I would get it out of the pot now - it really depends if you care more for the plant or the pot, if it was me I would save the plant (bit of a plant addict me), it will be a pig of a job to get it out of your pot, but trying to get it out is preferable to not watering it! If you get it out or smash your pot, just make sure you keep it watered in the 1st year as it will be root bound and even if you tease out the roots, it will take some time for them to spread out. I expect you know that acers like a sheltered spot. Good luck with it. H.

[WendyS]

First buy a bigger pot if you don't want to plant it direct into the ground, ensuring that the mouth of the pot is wider than the base and has no restricting rims and get a good supply of fresh compost. Water the plant well before you smash the pot. Even exposing the roots for a short period in this heat will cause stress to the plant. Fill the new container with fresh compost and mix in some granule-type fertiliser and some water retention crystals which will help the compost retain moisture in this heat. Then smash the pot, teaze out the roots and pull away some of the old compost before replanting.
Once this is done try and keep the plant in a shady spot for a few weeks until it has recovered. If necessary, mist the leaves night and morning and if this scorching heat continues, cover it with agicultural fleece or an old net curtain. Mature acer plants are expensive to buy so it's worth taking care over its replanting.

[Robinia]

Thanks both of you - yes it's got to be done one way or another, I just wanted a bit of encouragement. I think it's going to be a three man job....well, two women & one man actually. mmm, maybe I shouldn't have said that haha!

horty - have you requested to stay green forever? seems like a long time now.
What I meant about not watering was not actually watering into the pot where the water is being trapped but all around the base of the pot, as the roots it's put down will take the moisture from the ground. More fool me for standing it on soil - you live & learn...hopefully. :o)