Why does my acer have flowers??

[Milky Bar Kid]

Just a quick question for the tree people out there. I have a dark red coloured acer that I have only had for about 6 months or so now that looks similar to this, only smaller:



I thought it was a fairly normal tree living a happy life in it's pot out on the patio, but now I am confused. On one of it's two main branches (it's only a little tree) it has decided to sprout small red and white flowers. The thing that confuses me is that I see lots of these trees whilst I am out and about for work, but have never seen another with flowers on it, just the usual leaves.

So, is my tree weird, or are they meant to do this? Or do I have a female tree, if there is such a thing?

[Simpo Two]

Dunno. My cordylines do the same thing.

I'd just sit back and enjoy them



One thing - in some plants flowering can be a sign of senescence - ie the plant is not well or dying, and flowering is a last-ditch attempt to propagate before it conks out. Hopefully this is not the case with a tree, but you say it's in a pot, which makes it more prone to drought and frost.

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 28th April 20:28

[dirkgently]

Waits for the move to computers,gadgets and stuff

[Shaolin]

I have 4 acers, 3 are Japanese 2-5 feet high and one is about 30 feet high. All but the smallest currently have flowers.

You probably haven't noticed them on others or they are too small - all perfectly normal.

[Simpo Two]

Your acer has reacher puberty!

[Granville]

Can anyone sugest a good way to train them in to a nice shape?

[FlossyThePig]

Granville said:

Can anyone sugest a good way to train them in to a nice shape?

What's a nice shape? Left alone they will grow into an Acer tree shape unless it's in a windy spot then it will be wind blown tree shape.

Using bonsai techniques: trim roots and branches, wire wrap trunk and branches, bend to desired shape. After fifty years you can have a minature to be proud of.