Acers

[stevie-p]

i have some nice acers in my garden..but would like to take a few cuttings as they cost a fortune to buy..anyone know how please?

[isca]

sorry mate. you cant take cuttings from acers unless you graft them on to another trees root stock which is pretty tricky and a bit it and miss to say the least.

Thats why they're so expensive.

[andyjevs]

They will root from cuttings but they have something like a 2% strike rate.

Either sow some seeds or buy small plants...they're pretty quick growing once established

[isca]

not sure about that chief. Not one of the books i have says that they can be done from root cuttings and ive got bleedin loads cause i garden for a living. still if you've managed to do it then nice work.

cheers

[andyjevs]

I was a propagator for 4 years and i thought i'd have a go at some. The were softwood/greenwood cutting taken as early as possible in spring and put under mist with undersoil heat.
Out of the 50 odd cuttings i took, only a couple rooted.

They were tip cuttings not root cuttings either but yes, it can be done.

[logman]

The most reliable method of propergation for the gardener is to sow the seed 'keys' as soon as ripe, if sown in the spring, it may take til the following spring before they germinate.

Softwood cuttings can be achieved if taken in spring with A. palmatum and A. palmatum Dissectum group and if succsesful, will root in 8-10 weeks and ready for planting out in two years. Good Luck..

[stevie-p]

thanks everybody. looks like im back to the garden center think il stick to daffs...:(

[andyjevs]

If you fancy growing some from seed, they're pretty easy and come pre-stratified (cold treated). Once germinated, they do grow pretty quick and a good sized tree can be reached in 5 years.

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/moreinfo .asp?pe=DBFAJADBQ_+acer+palmatum+%3D+having+5+lobes+ie&a mp;cid=211

[clevis]

save up and buy one, its much more likely to be successful. buy yellow maples much cheaper and striking than the palmatum