Potted Japanese acer

shell.p6016FAzlFkGW · February 2023

Hi I have had 4 acers for approx 10 years they always look lovely in bloom.
But for some reason one of them seems to have lost it's branches in middle of plant. Any ideas , ???

Joyce Goldenlily · February 2023

It looks as if the tree does not have enough soil or room in the pot. A tree of that size needs to be in a much larger pot or in the open soil. The dry summer will have killed off a lot of potted plants, a tree that size would need a lot of water every day, twice a day, and some shading. Acers do not like full sun, it scorches the leaves.

shell.p6016FAzlFkGW · February 2023

Thanks for your reply, these were actually repotted 3 sizes up from 2year ago, they have always thrived, for some reason it's just one that's gone bit bare, but will consider another bigger pot , had these since they where very small, would hate to lose them now .

.

Fairygirl · February 2023

Are you refreshing the soil regularly? I expect you are if you repotted, but it isn't a good idea to go up too many sizes when doing that. A soil based medium is needed - neutral to acidic, and good drainage.
Do you mean there's just some dead stems/branches in the centre? They will naturally lose some in the centre as they grow out, and some weaker or damaged ones will just drop off. It all looks fairly ok to me to be honest, but maybe I'm missing something Have those heftier stems/branches got viable growth further up? I mean the ones nearest the fence.

It doesn't look like v. wilt - but it's hard to see from that photo.

shell.p6016FAzlFkGW · February 2023

Yes always top up with proper soil and feed, and yes there are new growths appearing on all outer branches, just doesn't seem to be any middle growth, maybe I just going to have to wait and see what summer brings, I can't plant in garden as my garden not big enough, but to be honest they did thrive after repotting, I wondered maybe if it been the very hot weather and wind we had last year, fingers crossed I hope not poorly, thank you for your reply

Fairygirl · February 2023

Winds and hot, dry weather certainly isn't great for them, but if you're keeping them well hydrated during summer, it might just be some wind damage on already weaker stems/branches. Keep an eye on it - and if you have a more sheltered site for it, that will help. They're essentially woodland plants, so some shade is best , especially during the worst heat of mid day sun

One thing I would do is - clear all the moss and weeds from the surface, and add bark or gravel as a mulch. That will help keep weeds at bay, and also looks better aesthetically

shell.p6016FAzlFkGW · February 2023

Yes I will do that, maybe send up to date photo in the summer too, thank you so much for your advice.

shell.p6016FAzlFkGW · July 2023

Hi last year i posted a photo of my poor looking acer, i did say i would send update on progress a little late but happy it seemed to recover.

Fairygirl · July 2023

That's great @shell.p6016FAzlFkGW - glad it recovered nicely for you

shell.p6016FAzlFkGW · July 2023

Me too, really thought i had lost it, they were only tiny when first planted and that was quite a few years ago, still a little bare in the middle, but fingers crossed it keeps keeps on going,

bertrand-mabel · July 2023

We like you had one that look on its last legs. In a pot so we moved it and thought that is it. It is now a wonderful acer and in the autumn the colours are like fire.

Potted Japanese acer

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