Proceeding with Japanese maple seedlings

[kbguess]

Hi, I am new to bonsai and to the forum. I have done quite a bit of reading the past week or so and have a couple of questions.

I have a number of seedling Japanese maples that I acquired in the spring. They are pretty rootbound in 3X8 pots.

I would like to grow them on for future bonsai. I live in Z6 Iowa with clay soil.

Would you
1. Plant them in the ground
2. Plant them in a raised bed with a better soil mix than the native clay
3. Grow on in something like an Anderson flat
4. Something different

Do roots get corrected next spring at planting time?

Thanks for your help,

Keith

 

[capnk]

Keith,
How many do you have to play with?
Are they all the "same"?
If you have a lot, then you might consider multiple seedlings through a tile.
Chris

 

[kbguess]

Chris,

I have about 25. The are Buchholz seedlings and quite variable. This link shows seedlings typical of what I have

http://florawonder.blogspot.com/2012/07/truly-awesome.html

I like the tile idea & I think I'll make a raised bed with some on tile and some not.

Thanks, Keith