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Acer Moonrise buds opening only on one side

jamesharcourtjamesharcourt Posts: 465
in Problem solving

I wondered if anybody recognised this problem I have with a potted Acer Moonrise. 

It seems that only one of the two main branches is bursting bud, but the other side’s buds don’t look unhealthy or dead, but they just don’t seem to be opening.  The branch also has a different surface appearance but not an obviously dying look.


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Posts

  • windypaulswindypauls Posts: 2
    I also have this problem, only half the buds have opened on one side of the Acer?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Do you have a photo @windypauls? That will help with any advice.
    Also any info about how it's growing, where, etc   :)

    Acers can be vulnerable to wind and sun if they're too exposed, which can cause damage. If they've gone short of water at certain times, that can affect future development of foliage too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @jamesharcourt You say the branches have a different surface appearance. Is the branch with the leaves new growth, if so that could be why.They are vunerable to cold winds and we have had a lot of those. My thought would be see how it goes. Others may be able to give more advice.
    @windypauls Welcome.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The original post is from 3 years ago @GardenerSuze, and I don't know if  he's posted since. That query must have slipped through the net.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Fairygirl Thank you. I guess this could be a problem with lots of Acers this spring. We have been in the same weather pattern for weeks. The sun is warm for the time of year with continued cold winds. The water butts are empty. The joys of gardening, bring on the next challenge.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • jamesharcourtjamesharcourt Posts: 465
    Hey guys I should update on this really. 

    I found out what the problem was here and it turns out the tree (as most Acers are) is grafted and that a branch had grown from the rootstock below the graft union…

    Since Moonrise and standard palmatum (the rootstock variety) leaf out at different times this accounted for the problem. In the end I cut off all the growth from below the graft union and now I have a very beautiful Moonrise!

    Hope everybody is well:-)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Good that you were successful with it @jamesharcourt.  :)
    It's a common problem, because of the graft. Often, the top dies completely and the rootstock takes over. It's hard to see from your original pic though.
    There's a mature one near me which has both - the top growth is perfectly healthy, but the growth from the rootstock has appeared too and it's now a 'double shrub'  :)

    I think there will be a lot of Acers this year with a bit of dieback @GardenerSuze. Any long dry spells, or windy ones, can be very tricky if plants are in the wrong place.
    We still have enough rain here, despite it being the driest winter I can ever remember. It hasn't been as windy either. Always easier if potted, as you can move them into a more sheltered spot though. Some are more vulnerable than others too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @jamesharcourt Thankyou for your reply after such a long time. Pleased to know your acer is doing so well. The right position in the garden is the answer to growing them successfully.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • jamesharcourtjamesharcourt Posts: 465
    @Fairygirl yes the picture is deceiving because the branch with leaves is coming from the rootstock but the point at which it was emerging is obscured ... also it was one of those pretty seamless graft unions where it's actually tricky to tell where the join is (a good one, in other words!) ... the Moonrise is quite late to leaf out ... the leave still aren't fully lifted here in chilly sussex on may 2nd !

    @GardenerSuze I've found that many will acclimatise to their position but need to leaf out in that position to be happy.   Generally though, morning sun positions - they love that the most.  Or late afternoon.  The full blast of midday and early afternoon sun works best for the purplse and the Deshojo types ... the green or variegated numbers tend to insist on a shady period in the middle of the day to look their best.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - the foliage emerging can be different re timing, depending on variety, and of course - location @jamesharcourt . Acers here have been in leaf much earlier than usual due to our very mild winter. They would normally be around late April into May to start getting underway.
    The green/yellow ones tend to be affected more by frosts and then morning sun, than the reds, just as with rhodos and camellias being affected with their new buds/flowers. 

    Even the trees and hedging here have been in leaf earlier. They normally don't start getting 'green' until very late April, early May. The hawthorn hedges are fully green , which is a month early.
    Very weird, and a bit unsettling now.  :/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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