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Acer losing leaves and changing colour - please help

mansi25jd1k1X9tmansi25jd1k1X9t Posts: 30
in Problem solving
Hi. My Acer has recently started losing leaves and changes colour. I know changing colour is normal perhaps but could you see my picture and tell me if I need or worry especially as losing leaves! Don't want to kill another one :(

It has been in a part shady area and I water and feed regularly.

Posts

  • mansi25jd1k1X9tmansi25jd1k1X9t Posts: 30

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It sounds like you have it in a suitable position, so that narrows it down a bit.

    Is it planted in a suitable ericaceous compost?
    What are you feeding it with and how often?
    Is the pot on feet to allow good drainage?
    Rainwater is much better for them than tap water for watering/feeding

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They don't need lots of food. They do need to be in a soil based medium though, not just compost. That isn't enough to sustain any shrub long term.  :)
    In pots, the soil needs refreshed each year too.
    As said- they need moisture but they also need good drainage. They won't appreciate sitting in wet conditions all the time, any more than they like being dried out.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mansi25jd1k1X9tmansi25jd1k1X9t Posts: 30
    I got this earlier this year and potted with multi-purpose compost. I water with tap water when it doesn't rain. The pot has good drainage too as water does flow out after watering. Does the plant look like it's dying and needs fixing or Acer losing leaves this time of the year like mine is, is considered normal??
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Acers prefer an acidic environment, so ericaceous compost would be much better.
    Ideally a John Innes ericaceous compost as that will have a greater soil content for long-term planting. Multi purpose compost is not for long-term planting for the likes of trees etc.
    You don't say what you're feeding it with or how often?
    Are you sure enough water comes out of the bottom of the pot?

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    edited July 2021
    I use a mix of ericaceous and John Innes 3. Mine have been in pots for 10 years and done well. The red purple one is now a 6 ft tall and 4 ft wide, the green leaved one is a smaller variety and is now. 4.5 ft high and 3m wide. So they can do well in pots. I feed them once a year with blood fish and bone in spring and fresh garden compost on the top layer. 

    Multi purpose isn't really suitable for them. Imo

  • mansi25jd1k1X9tmansi25jd1k1X9t Posts: 30
    Thanks for the comments I'll repot with the suggested soil. I feed it every 2 weeks with miracle grow water soluble feed....I have a feeling I'm doing it all wrong :(
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    They don't need that much feed.
    I'd switch to giving it seaweed extract about once a month while it's in leaf using rainwater if poss. Otherwise Miracle Grow once a month and rainwater if poss.
    Then you'll be doing it all right :)
    good luck

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Don't worry - just get it in the right soil mix, and lay off the food.  It'll pick up. :)

    It's very easy to kill with kindness when it comes to plants, but many need virtually nothing. Like @Bijdezee I only use a bit of B,F& Bone in spring when repotting or refreshing shrubs of any kind in pots. That's all they get apart from a bit of  watering in dry spells, and I don't even have to do that very often here. 
    Rainwater is certainly good if you don't live in a soft water area like I do  :)
    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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