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Rescuing a very poorly acer

snavezil76snavezil76 Posts: 20
in Problem solving
I recently read the excellent book The Plant Rescuer and was inspired to have a look in my local Wilko. There were some very sad plants there, and I managed to pick up a couple of spider plants (5p each), a clematis (10p) and an acer which was reduced from £12 to £1. The spider plants and clematis are showing signs of new growth (I think they were just suffering from being overwatered) but I don’t know what to do with the acer. It’s currently indoors on a windowsill, I don’t want to put it outside until it’s looking a bit happier. The soil was wet but not overly so, and I’ve allowed it to dry out a bit. It’s definitely still alive but all the leaves have dried up and fallen off. Can anyone advise me of the best way to rescue it? I realise it might not have much chance of survival but I want to try. (I tried to add a photo but it’s not working for some reason - I’ll try to put one in the comments).
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  • snavezil76snavezil76 Posts: 20

  • snavezil76snavezil76 Posts: 20

    Put up a pic - sorry, not sure why it came out sideways!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Sideways photos are an annoying feature' of this site I'm afraid.
    I think it should be outside, somewhere with good light but in the shade, keep the soil just moist using rainwater if possible - then cross your fingers.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • snavezil76snavezil76 Posts: 20
    Thanks Pete. I was worried that putting it outside would shock it - it was right inside the store with no natural light! I can definitely find it a place in the garden, though rainwater is very scarce at the moment - there might be a tiny bit in the water butt. I’ll definitely keep everything crossed for it!

    Should I prune it at all or would that make matters worse? It’s very leggy.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I would also put it outside in the shade and just keep the soil moist. I'm not sure you will see much regrowth of leaves, if any, at this time of year but in spring it may make a comeback. We had a large one completely dessicated large year and in spring, after a little tidy up, you'd never know it.  
  • snavezil76snavezil76 Posts: 20
    thevictorian said:
    I would also put it outside in the shade and just keep the soil moist. I'm not sure you will see much regrowth of leaves, if any, at this time of year but in spring it may make a comeback. We had a large one completely dessicated large year and in spring, after a little tidy up, you'd never know it.  
    Oh that’s brilliant to hear! Thank you. I was really expecting everyone to say it’s got no chance. I’ll pop it outside now and see if there’s any change.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    If the soil was as you say, 'wet, but not overly so', it might have been left dry for a while before someone thought to water it. If the leaves have dried that seems most likely given the weather we are having. It won't be happy indoors, it needs to be somewhere cool and shady outside, sheltered from drying wind. Make sure that the pot can drain freely and then give it a generous amount of water every time the surface begins to feel dry and keep your fingers crossed. With luck it should produce some new leaves before too long. In spring, when you see new buds, you can think about re-potting it into a slightly larger pot :)
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited August 2022
    I'd leave it be while it's poorly.
    Acers have a habit of loosing sap when pruned unless they're completely dormant (late Winter usually). Thin branches are ok to prune, but pruning any proper branches can cause a lot of sap loss - but that's info for another time when it's growing well in your garden.
    Somewhere in your garden that's bright but shady will help it recover.

    PS - it'll appreciate the dregs from your water butt - full of good bacteria

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • snavezil76snavezil76 Posts: 20
    Buttercupdays said:
    If the soil was as you say, 'wet, but not overly so', it might have been left dry for a while before someone thought to water it. If the leaves have dried that seems most likely given the weather we are having. It won't be happy indoors, it needs to be somewhere cool and shady outside, sheltered from drying wind. Make sure that the pot can drain freely and then give it a generous amount of water every time the surface begins to feel dry and keep your fingers crossed. With luck it should produce some new leaves before too long. In spring, when you see new buds, you can think about re-potting it into a slightly larger pot :)
    Thank you :) Its outside now in a north facing corner, which is sheltered and reasonably bright but also shaded from any direct sunlight. I think the soil was drier than I realised, because I just gave it a drink from the water butt and the water ran straight through. I’ll keep a close eye on it and make sure it doesn’t dry out.
  • snavezil76snavezil76 Posts: 20
    edited August 2022
    Pete.8 said:
    I'd leave it be while it's poorly.
    Acers have a habit of loosing sap when pruned unless they're completely dormant (late Winter usually). Thin branches are ok to prune, but pruning any proper branches can cause a lot of sap loss - but that's info for another time when it's growing well in your garden.
    Somewhere in your garden that's bright but shady will help it recover.

    PS - it'll appreciate the dregs from your water butt - full of good bacteria
    Thanks Pete, I was thinking the same regarding the pruning. It’s just had a drink from the almost empty water butt - fingers crossed we get some decent rain soon!
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