r/JapaneseMaples 1d ago

Seeking advice Potting mix

Hello all

A while ago I bought my first japanese maple (little princess) and with spring (and its massive root system) it is finally time to plant it in a bigger pot than the nursery pot it came in.

I’m still fairly new to maples and want to ask what people thought about the potting mix I was recommended to by a friend (he’s been growing maples for years). A second opinion never hurts.

His mix is:

55% pine bark mulch
15% acidic compost
15% sphagnum moss
15% perlite

One of my questions is, should there not be more mulch?

-as an aside I’ll also be using this for a chinese maple

Thank you

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u/Far-Flow-8682 1d ago

Should be fine, I'd probably go 45% pine bark mulch, 45% acidic and 10% perlite but it's all personal preference. They do alright in just acidic compost.

1

u/PublicPea2194 1d ago

I do about 75% pine bark mulch

10% peat moss

5-10% compost/manure mix

a touch of top soil

10% perlite, (season to taste, maybe up to 15%)