Acer problems

Hey everyone, me again. Looked outside today and saw some problems with my acers. Some are red. Basically, sudden wilting in some of the foliage, coupled with brown, dry areas of the leaves. Most interesting is that some trees have several healthy leaves, but the ones at the apex are drooping and wilted. On friday I will re-pot into a different soil. Trees get morning sun but not afternoon sun (past 12:30). Thanks.

Over saturated root zone is my guess. I would try to slip them into a nice free draining mix.
-Jay

I think on friday I'm going to go out to pep-boys or home depot and get a bag of the floor liquid absorber I've heard some people on here are using

I think or lack of water
or the roots are damaged

Home Depot won't have anything -- unless they have some Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil. At Pep Boys, you want Oil Dri. Better yet go here: http://www.turface.com/ and find a distributor in your state.

Meanwhile, only water your tree when it is dry. Although it flies against expectations, new growth often wilts when it gets too much water (when the roots are so saturated they cannot function).

cmd,

Something like Dry Stall would only hold the moisture in but what you need is to allow the water to be moved out of the pot. If I were you I'd order a good bonsai mix from a reputable bonsai dealer.

Good luck...
Norma

One photo almost looks to me like the apex leaves are burned....sun or chemicals or? Others more informed will know. I use only a mix of turface (sieved particles only that are larger than my .125" screen) mixed w/ same size fir bark and granite. It drains so well I find I cannot over-water. Lastly, as Mr. Lewis remarks new growth can look wilted if the roots are damaged or "waterlogged". At the same time, new growth on my maples can wilt if suddenly subjected to more direct sun than usual. Good luck and best regards - Tim

Could be wind, sun or frost damage. With a location of Northeast, we cannot hope to help you. More details of location and circumstances are needed.

Kev Bailey wrote:Could be wind, sun or frost damage. With a location of Northeast, we cannot hope to help you. More details of location and circumstances are needed.

As Kev says, a location is beneficial in helping you. I believe you told us in a previous thread that you live in the Philadelphia area? Perhaps you could confirm that by putting it in your profile so it shows under your avatar. That way people who didn't see your original thread will know too. A name would also be good as I feel as if I'm talking to a postal code and it seems a bit rude.

Seems like an easy out, but when I have odd problems as you are running into here, I think of returning the trees to their natural habitat--back in the ground. It seems to help moderate watering issues. Maples as a rule dont take too kindly to full sun, so dappled or light shade is appropriate.
Going into the ground also speeds their development in terms of trunk and branch caliper. Just a thought.