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acer dropping leaves

AconiteAconite Posts: 24
in Problem solving
I have had this acer for years, it was ignored in a pot in a south facing garden in Yorkshire. Last year it lost all its leaves as were away for several weeks and it was hit by drought and hot weather - all the leaves went to crisp and dropped off - brought the remaining twig  to the South-West, put it  in a North facing garden in June  and watered it and it produced a whole new set of leaves.
This year it was looking fantastic - much bigger and lots of leaves, however every day there seem to be about 6 healthy leaves on the grounds around it.
It may be that it always did that as was ignored, just wondering if, in retirement, I am taking too much notice of it, watering it too much, fussing over it ?? I don't want it to lose all its leaves again. 
Should I repot it? Last year I just renewed some of compost around it - help!


PS how do I turn the photo round? was OK on computer

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I'm not an acer grower so cant give you the more detailed cultural info, but it needs a much much bigger pot ... as a matter of some urgency!  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Hi there, yes, it does need a much bigger pot.  I suggest you use an ericaceous compost combined 50:50 with a John Innes no 3 compost.  This gives a slightly acidic root medium which they prefer and makes water retention better.  They don't like too much water, just enough to keep the compost moist.  I think you might find it will be happier with limited exposure to direct sunlight particularly between midday and 3.00 pm when it is at its strongest.  Acers also can be quite sensitive to wind, causing dessication of the leaves, so try to place your pot somewhere sheltered as well as shaded.  You should find that your plant will perk up quickly once you get the right growing conditions. (Ideally it would prefer to be in the ground if you have a suitable spot.)   Have a look at the video in this link, another useful GW source! Plant an Acer in a Pot - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine (gardenersworld.com)  Hope this helps.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • AconiteAconite Posts: 24
    thank you both - agree re the pot!  just looking back at some pictures of it last summer and realise it has grown rather a lot, reckon it likes the spot , just now objecting to the lack of space - will go and look for new pot ASAP + ericaceous + JI 3 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited June 2021
    Don't over pot it - just slightly bigger than the one it's in. Use a soil based medium, and you can add a layer of bark or gravel after it's well watered in. That helps with moisture loss, but also looks good with Acers in pots. 
    Those ones are actually quite robust, and enjoy some sun to colour up well, but not early to mid day if possible. Wind can dry out foliage as quickly as heat/sun, so keep it in a less exposed site to help with that. Ideally - dappled shade if you can manage it.
    The weather this spring was quite difficult for many plants in lots of areas of the UK, so don't worry too much about it. 

    Just keep it watered, especially in dry spells, let it recover, and it should be fine again.  :)

    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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