How can I improve the condition of my acer palmatum?

Hi

I have a lovely acer palmatum d. and it has lost quite a number of leaves towards the ends of the branches, although beneath the old leaves were buds that have since started to emerge. My tree is in the pot i bought it in (several months ago) and is in a sheltered spot almost against the back of the house. It receives sunshine in the late afternoon/evening so it is not subjected to particularly bright sun. However, many of the leaf tips are 'dry and crispy' looking - why is this? Ive read some info on the net and some say overwatering may have caused this but other websites say underwatering will have caused it - i don't know what to believe??!!

Should i re-pot it? Should i try moving it to another location? Should i water more/less (i have recently begun to give it a light watering most days to see if that helps as initially i only watered a couple of times a week. Although it hot weather i watered daily).

Would it be best to plant directly into the ground? - if so, at what time of year? I'm unable to do that at the moment as i'm sorting my new garden out.

Also, how long does it take for things to affect trees? As in, for example, if lack of water was the problem and i start watering it more regularly - how long would it be before the change affects the tree and i see an improvement/deterioration?

I would love some advice as i really don't want my tree to die - it was a gift from my mum and step-dad.

Many Thanks

 

Busybee,
Check the roots to see if they are dry, but it sounds as if your palmatum has been wind scorched.
Is it in ericatious compost they love that? What height is it now and what size pot is it in?

 

Will check roots tomorrow but the soil is pretty drenched due to rain.
It is in the same compost from the GC so i would have thought it would be ericacious (sp) soil. Plus, it drains pretty well cos sometimes i water it and the water just seeps straight out the bottom without really being 'taken up' by the soil - if that makes sense? (i actually picked the rootball up out of the pot one time to check and the edges were not even really that wet considering i had just watered it well) - would it be best to stand it in a tray of water - although i understand they like free draining soil?

The tree is only small - prob about around 3 ft tall and is the weeping variety. The pot size i'm not sure of but i would think around 20cm ish. I will check what you have asked and confirm tomorrow evening.

Does any of that info help?

Thank you very much for taking the time to help me- i'm a novice at this gardening business and easily get things wrong! I really don't want my little tree to die!

 

Plus, i will try to take some pics to show you how it looks - many thanks

 

When water seeps straight out of the bottom, it is usually a sign that the compost is too dry and has shrunk away from the sides. Try watering by placing in a saucer of water for 10 minutes.

In general, its better to put plants into the soil as soon as possible. Plants in pots invariebly suffer from over watering or underwatering. I've got lots of like that. :D

It doesn't really matter what time of year you plant it in the ground, as you shouldn't be upsetting the roots. But better not during a freezing spell or a very hot spell.

 

Peter is correct .... it sounds like the plant has been underwatered
With a plant in a pot it is always easy to check if the soil is too wet or too dry by simply lifting it out of the pot and looking at it

 

Thank you all for your replies - as soon as i get my garden sorted i will plant it in the ground. I will also water it much more - i do think it has been on the dry side. I will stand it in a saucer to let it soak up what it needs.

Many Thanks!!!

 

Mine has got slightly brown leaves but I find t always goes like that this time of year. I have another acer and the chap I got it from was at a plant sale but he was from an Acer nursery and he told me to leave my new acer in the pot for the rest of this year. Put it in my unheated greenhouse over winter making sure the soil was only just moist and then plant it out in spring.

 

Thanks for the advice Kelly! I will certainly do that. Ive recently bought myself a little greenhouse and hopefully my garden will be ready for spring so i can plant it out then!!

Many Thanks

 

Your acer sounds like it's in excatly the same condition as mine busy bee.. I too was wondering about planting directly into the ground. Some good advice there that I will certainly be following.
Kelly