e-bay purchased Japanese Maples

I have recently purchased 20 JMs from about 5 different sellers on ebay,1-3 y.o. plants all of them in great condition. Any input on your experiences on e-bay JM purchases? I will try to keep you updated of my first year with them.

freebird, what were the prices and what kinds did you buy? I'm collecting JM's, but I've only purchased from Forest Farm, who I'm really happy with. but I'm always looking to save a buck. hostajim1

Hello Hostajim1, wow, we're not all that far from one another.
I will take pictures this weekend, and post them with names. Hang in there...

Of course on e-bay I have to bid for the plants, prices I've paid were anywhere from $9.99 - $150.00, depending on age, variety, rarity, and my willingness to pay the price. I still have found it much better than any local or on-line nursery. (Price and variety)
The plants have been very well packaged, received them all in a timely manor, put them all in a 1:1:1 mixture of sand, potting soil and bark chips with lg gravel rocks on the bottom of the pots, and I see new growth already. We do get some salty winds here by the ocean, this winter will tell.
Love, Freebird...

freebird, do you keep all your Acer P's in containers? mine are all in the ground in light shade. I have mostly second growth Doug fir. Jim

Babies they are for now, as long as they have the right conditions, they'll do well.

This is Beni Maiko. I sure wish there was a way to post several pictures in a message.


Question #1
Is it important to put rocks on the bottom of pots?

Question #2
How can I protect 40 pots from winter frost on the north wall of my house? Do I wrap them in towels? Or maybe aluminum foil? I really don't want to loose them the first winter.
Freebird


This message was edited Jul 12, 2006 3:27 PM

Acer palmatum 'Tama Hime'

Shin Deshojo staked for central leader

The most expensive one from e-bay, 2 y.o. 'Ever Red' ($150)

'Palmatifolium' with sun scorch. It must have been in a green house prior to shipping.

The only trouble I had run into on e-bay was that I was so new at JMs, that had no idea one plant could have 4-5 common names, often incorrectly so. So, I ended up with 2 of several plants. Haven't figured out what this misstake has cost me. I guess it doesn't matter, I could give the doubles as gifts. I have 42 now (including the doubles). They are so beautiful. I am absolutely amazed. They are going to have to stay in pots for 3-4 years, since I am not staying in this house for too long having such a plant fettish, I need at least an acre of land. So, I pray they don't freeze this winter.

This message was edited Jul 12, 2006 3:44 PM

Freebird, did you first try searching for online sources using Garden Watchdog? Hard to believe you would not find someone reputable with good prices. Hit or miss with eBay and it looks like you spent quite a bit! Good luck. I am becoming a JM freak myself. Have about 7 or 8.

Victor

Victor,
I have looked at prices at numerous JM nurseries on line. I've found that many of them don't have pictures, just call them 1-3-5 gallon plants. I didn't want to take the chance, plus they are not cheap either. Most of the plants were less than $30.00 on e-bay. I bought a very nice plant from a nursery here in town for $150.00, and my dog ate it the next day. I was so bummed, that's when I started to look around on the Internet. I did order from Mendocino Maples 3 little ones, $22-$34, really not all that different than e-bay.
Freebird

This has to be one of the most talked about trees on Dave's as of late, I know it is very popular in the Texas Gardening forum.

What are the characteristics: life span, size?

Edited to say: Silly me, there is a whole forum on JM's and I didn't even see it!

This message was edited Jul 21, 2006 5:17 PM

Dear Tir_Na_Nog,

I think JMs are so much talked about, because they are very expensive, somewhat finicky in that most need morning sun and afternoon shade. They don't like too much water, yet they need just enough. Their soil needs to be very porous, well draining becouse root rot will surely kill them. No fertilizing, which many people screw up at, just a lot of organic material, and maybe some soluble fertilizer, not heat activated, and I think only in the spring!
They are frost weary, and if you've ever seen a few of them over hostas, or in spring or fall, they are breath taking, almost mesmerizing. There are two different kinds. Dwarf, small bush-like, or tall tree-like. Life span? As many years as you can be alive! If I am correct, there is a 2000 year old JM in Japan somewhere.
I've just stumbled across them this summer my self, yet I am already hooked.

Something about JMs is relaxing, deep-soul touching due to their greceful lay-out. Good luck as you read, I've learned a lot as weel reading the JM forum. Love, Paulina

Most of my JMs are doing great, some had dropped their leaves, but have a beautiful green stem, and plump new buds. Looks like some will rebud this year. Some Pics to follow...

I am just hoping to successfully overwinter them in zone 8b. It is supposed to be a cold one this year.
Love, FreeBird...

freebirdusa35, you shouldn't have any trouble overwintering them, I have been growing them many years and have never lost one in my zone 8, Port Orchard, wash. if you are adding to your collection, check out Forest Farm, they have a very large selection. I added 10 this year, next year I'll probably add that many. good luck

If you find an Emperor 1, it is a wonderful Japanese maple introduced a few years ago by Monrovia. Graceful shape, extremely vigorous, good in both shade and fairly strong partial sun. Mine has more than tripled in height and width since putting it in the ground three years ago. Here's a composite shot. You can judge its growth by the chimney.

Hmm, the photo didn't show up - I'll try again!


This message was edited Sep 18, 2006 12:09 PM

Trying again with the composite photo of 'Emperor 1'

jkom51, that's a nice AP, but check out Ukigomo, Beni shishihenge along with others I have found that are really show stoppers. there are only so many reds you can collect. hostajim1

Congratulations on your new JM's, freebird-- they look very interesting....I had no idea there were people who collected them --much less 40 or 50 of them!

And I want to learn more about them-- is there a nursery website with lots of good explanations on it?

I have four Japanese Maples that were here when we move in, but now I want to see what kinds they are (and how much they cost!!-- I can't believe the $$ you are talking about!)

Thanks for all the pics and info. t.

tabasco, there are several venders that carry them that are listed in Daves Garden, personally I use Forest Farm in Williams, Oregon they have a great catalog and a very large list of JP Maples, (AKA) Acer Palmatum in an amazing array of leaf shapes and size, colors, dwarf. tall. 2 that I like the best are Ukigomo (floating clouds), Beni Schihenge. also check out the JM forum on daves garden. good luck on your search. Jim

Thanks, hostajim, for the info--(And please be patient for one more newbie type question)

What makes certain Japanese Maples so cherished and expensive?

Is it kind of like hostas--new introductions and difficulty of propagation? New colors? Length of bloom(?) season?

Just wondering....

Thanks. t.

tabasco, well I think it's because they are all grafted on hardy rootstock, and have several years of growing time for a JP to become saleable. and of course the leaf colors and growing habit. in the nurseries they have limited exposure and selection, there are some speciality nurseries that carry a larger selection, but not many. there is one Japanese nursery close to me, with a very large selection, but they are selling for $100 to $600, so I get most of mine through the catalogs. I can buy a 3 foot JP for $30 to $50 plus shipping from Forest Farm. Oregon has huge wholesale nursery farms. in the Willamette valley it's farm after farm of nursery stock. good luck, Jim

Thanks, Jim, for your good answer. I will follow-up on the JM forum for more info. t.

freebird, you can make a collage of your pictures and post all of them in one pic. cg

Hey Cegoins,
How do I make a picture collage? I was asking this question on another forum, but couldn't figure it out. I have a Macintosh, and the software I was suggested did not work. I'd love to post some more pictures.

Many of my plants have lost their leaves, a bit early I think, due to the stress of mailing, and potting / new environment. Some had showed some gorgeous colors, otherwise the leaves just dried off. The stems remain full and green, and there are healthy buds in place of the fallen leaves. I think they'll be fine in zone 8b. The smallest pots, the less than one gallon sizes, I am going to burry to ground level for insulation.
So fahr just a little powdery mildew, and a snail chewing on one plant.

We had two separate occasions of freeze so far, and my potted JMs made it. They are against a north facing wall shielded by 6 foot wooden fencing about 4 feet away, not much light, but they are budding & standing strong.
FreeBird!

I have lost one JM, Fjellhelm. But all the others are budding and leafing out gorgeously. I am so happy. I did manage to kill two bonsai though over the winter, left them outside too long. Pictures to follow as spring aproaches. 1 loss out of 50 is 2%. Not bad

freebirdusa35, sounds like you wintered over everything well. I found a JM grower in Oregon on my way thru Grand Rounde, Wash. he doesn't advertize or anything, for newly grafted I paid $10, I kept those in my greenhouse over winter. and for 1gal 3' tall I paid $13. I'm going to check it out again in May. I didn't have much room in my trunk last time I was there. but this year I'll make room. Jim

I wonder how he can charge so little. I'd love to find some new and interesting JMs, but I don't have much garden space, so I'll stick with the 49 for now. I am just happy they can handle our winter without a greenhouse.

freebird, he's a retired hobbiest in an out of the way place. so I guess he thinks it's fair. I'm not going to clue him in. when I go there I'll make up a list of what he has. I'm thinking it was less than 30 varieties. you have quite of few, more than me. I'm doing some clearing that I should have more room for more. but I want them to be something exceptional, Jim

hostajim,
I have yet to see which ones are exceptional (of the ones I do have). Meaning; survival in pots close to the western oceans with several freezes annualy, spring & summer color, & sun tolerance. (God they are all exceptional to me. Just an amazing little living creatures they are.) Love, Paulina