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Japanese Maple (Sango Kaku)

tommasserALXbrCUBtommasserALXbrCUB Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi, got a japanese maple a couple of years back and have potted it. Last year the leaves were a bright green colour in the summer (as they are supposed to be) this year they started off a bright green, but half of the leaves have changed red. Both years it has been in full sun as this variation can tolerate it and both years has had plenty of water. I'm just not sure why it has gone red this year and if it is anything to worry about. 

Posts

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I’d say that it’s not a problem as such ,unless you object to the colour .Mine does that most years and mine is 14 years old .Think it’s just the variety .Look for anything unusual like bugs or whatever and keep it watered ,looks fine to me .
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    i think your pot is too small so there is restricted compost and water and it maybe thinks autumn has arrived.   I would move it to some shade and give it a good soak every day for the next week or two and make sure it never gets thirsty.

    I would re-pot it asap in a much larger pot, using a good loam-based compost such as John Innes no 3 with up to 25% MPC for water retention.   keep it in semi-shade and keep it well watered.

    I had one of these in the ground in full sun in my last garden and it was over 3m tall by the time we moved.  I have planted another here, along with several more acers, in a bed along  the north side of a ruined farmhouse so it gets sun until midday and again after about 6:30pm and they are all happy.  I did improve the soil with plenty of compost and manure and kept them well watered for the first 2 years while they established.   They're all happy.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • tommasserALXbrCUBtommasserALXbrCUB Posts: 4
    bcpathome said:
    I’d say that it’s not a problem as such ,unless you object to the colour .Mine does that most years and mine is 14 years old .Think it’s just the variety .Look for anything unusual like bugs or whatever and keep it watered ,looks fine to me .
    No I don't mind the colour at all. Have checked for aphids and any signs of disease and didn't find anything. Thanks for your response! 
  • tommasserALXbrCUBtommasserALXbrCUB Posts: 4
    Obelixx said:
    i think your pot is too small so there is restricted compost and water and it maybe thinks autumn has arrived.   I would move it to some shade and give it a good soak every day for the next week or two and make sure it never gets thirsty.

    I would re-pot it asap in a much larger pot, using a good loam-based compost such as John Innes no 3 with up to 25% MPC for water retention.   keep it in semi-shade and keep it well watered.

    I had one of these in the ground in full sun in my last garden and it was over 3m tall by the time we moved.  I have planted another here, along with several more acers, in a bed along  the north side of a ruined farmhouse so it gets sun until midday and again after about 6:30pm and they are all happy.  I did improve the soil with plenty of compost and manure and kept them well watered for the first 2 years while they established.   They're all happy.
    Ah. I did realise the pot was too small but thought it would only stunt it's growth temporarily, as I was planning on planting it in the ground in the autumn. Would you still recommend re-potting in this case or leave til autumn?
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Yes if you have a slightly larger pot, it would be good to start encouraging the roots to move out. Then when you put in the ground it should establish more rapidly. 
    AB Still learning

  • tommasserALXbrCUBtommasserALXbrCUB Posts: 4
    Allotment Boy said:
    Yes if you have a slightly larger pot, it would be good to start encouraging the roots to move out. Then when you put in the ground it should establish more rapidly. 
    Yes I've got one about twice as big, will re pot this weekend. Thanks!
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