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Acer Firecracker leaves turning green?

RubiksRubiks Posts: 25
in Problem solving
Hi,

My acer firecracker is currently in a pot in my garden. It’s south west facing, gets morning sun and dappled shade in the afternoon, but some of the leaves near the middle/bottom seem to be turning green…

Does anyone have any idea what might be causing it? I think it gets enough water, I rarely see it dried out at least. 

Thanks


Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's quite normal for many red Acers to turn green depending on the conditions and the time of year. 
    In cold weather, or an exposed site for example, there can be colour change.
    If it's not dried out, and it's reasonably sheltered, and otherwise healthy, I wouldn't worry too much  :)

    A photo of the whole plant, and any more info you can offer will help though. Has the soil been refreshed, is the pot suitable, does it need repotted etc.  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    My red acer goes partially green in dappled shade, it’s possible the sun it gets isn’t reaching the bottom leaves. 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - the reds tend to go greener in more shade, so that's a good possibility re the top shading the bottom foliage @Nollie . They need sun to get the best colour.
    Too much can be a problem as well, so it can just be a case of moving them to get the best position. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Still haven’t found the best position for mine @Fairygirl, give it more sun and it fries, looks healthier in dappled shade but the colour suffers as a result! 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Sod's Law eh?  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RubiksRubiks Posts: 25
    Fairygirl said:
    Yes - the reds tend to go greener in more shade, so that's a good possibility re the top shading the bottom foliage @Nollie . They need sun to get the best colour.
    Too much can be a problem as well, so it can just be a case of moving them to get the best position. 
    Nollie said:
    My red acer goes partially green in dappled shade, it’s possible the sun it gets isn’t reaching the bottom leaves. 
    Thanks both. I’ve moved it temporarily to a spot that gets a lot of sun, I don’t have many places to put it at the moment as I really need to tidy it up completely!!

    This is the full plant (don’t judge the state of everything else please :s )

    I bought it last year and put it in the current pot, so I’d have thought it would be ok for a bit longer? 


  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Just as said, any leaves in shade will tend towards green.  A bit of extra sun will soon get them red again.
    AB Still learning

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It looks fine to me  :)
    Should be fine in that pot for a while, but just check the soil moisture regularly, especially in long dry spells, remove the weeds, and you could add a top dressing of bark to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
    If you're keeping it on the hard surface, some pot feet will ensure excess water gets away. Although they like plenty of moisture, they don't like getting their feet permanently wet  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RubiksRubiks Posts: 25
    Fairygirl said:
    It looks fine to me  :)
    Should be fine in that pot for a while, but just check the soil moisture regularly, especially in long dry spells, remove the weeds, and you could add a top dressing of bark to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
    If you're keeping it on the hard surface, some pot feet will ensure excess water gets away. Although they like plenty of moisture, they don't like getting their feet permanently wet  :)
    Thanks, there are some pot feet underneath, they’re just not visible in the picture! I’ll look at getting some mulch for it, just relieved I’ve not killed another plant (yet)  :D
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