read that Miracle Grow will kill this tree Absolutely NO basis to this 'supposed fact'! There is nothing mysterious or magic about MG's forumulation that would make it toxic to Japanese maples. And plants don't care from what source their nutrients are derived - synthetic chemical (like the MG) or from completely organic sources, it's all the same to them. FWIW, I grow almost my entire collection of JM's in containers and they get fertilized frequently with Miracle Gro (or similar "blue water" fert). They do get topdressed in spring with Osmocote, as well as when freshly planted or replanted, but receive supplemental liquid ferts during the growing season as do all my other plants grown in containers. The only concern one might have is that JM foliage is very sensitive and they dislike anything other water on their leaves, even liquid fertilizers or pesticides. Can cause a phytotoxic reaction and damage the foliage. But certainly not kill the tree. That's just a load of hooey!!

Hi ken I believe there is a really good chance that the roots will shrivel to the point of not being able to function and the damage could extend into the roots inside the pot. I am sure when you repot sometimes in the spring you have seen dead roots around the outer edges? from over wintering. I know you have many but I would pop them out only enough to get those roots back in. I just hope all 1500 don't need to be done lol! I can't recall if you cover with leaves, mulch, winter blankets or ..... I am amazed that you tip the way the more southerly (pot) growers do. You must have some die off? Hope not!

Mine stay in small clay pots. I have double glass doors going to the back deck and my winter plants stay there in a large rabbit cage. I have cats so the cage in necessary to keep plants safe.... one of my stupider cats will bite habenera peppers over and over. No lights so they get pretty sick and spindly in January. Days are getting longer so I have new leaves and flowers the last couple weeks! About 3 years on these plants. I have an unused LED grow light but as long as the plants are doing okay I can't see getting that out. Didn't even know I could keep them over winter until I read about it on gardenweb a couple years back. Because of my small pot size I have to use a very very weak water soluable fertilizer. I use the "bloom" builder as it has less nitrogen.

I was so spent by the time I got to lighting that I deferred to my contractor's judgement. I had recessed lights already and we were just going to leave them as is but a leak and other ceiling problems gave way to replacing the ceiling and therefore new cans and placement. We went from 5 6" lights to 8 5" lights. I let him decide the under counter lighting as well and he got them at HD...xenon I think. He said he uses these lights in 90% of his remodels and no one has complained yet. We don't use our current under counter lights that much, so it was one less thing for me to have to research!