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What is happening to my Japanese Maple

Carolina Girl (Zone 8b)

last year

last modified: last year

We’ve had plenty of rain so no water shouldn’t be an issue. And, some limbs look fine with no browning or dropping of leaves.

any ideas?

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

last year

@Carolina Girl (Zone 8b), don't worry if your tree is not planted in the ground. It doesn't have to be :-) My entire collection of Japanese maples - 17 of them - are ALL growing in containers and have been so all their lives. The oldest is going on for 30 years.......

Japanese maples are highly suited to container culture.

(btw, the leaf issue is NOT anthracnose! ;-))

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Comments (9)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
last year
Have you checked the soil for moisture? Rain may not be enough for a container with that tree canopy above.

tj
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Agree 100% with tj. This is a lack of consistent water.
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Carolina Girl (Zone 8b)
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
thanks for responding!

We’ve had heavy rain the last week. The dirt in the pot is moist. there is also a large root that has come through the bottom of the pot. Ive also made a point to water this tree regulary when we’ve not had rain.

i noticed the leaves turning brown 2 days ago. this has happened fast.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
"i noticed the leaves turning brown 2 days ago. this has happened fast."

Okay...that's somewhat concerning. Insufficient watering can cause random drying and browning but rarely that rapidly. And since you have confirmed by testing that the soil is adequately moist, that is unlikely to be the cause anyway. I don't wish to alarm you but it could be something more sinister, in which case you will know soon enough :-(

It does seem like an undersized container for that size tree. How often do you repot and root prune? Now is not a good time to consider any replanting, in the ground or a larger container. And especially a plant which is undergoing some distress. Just keep it well watered (but don't drown it) and include a dilute liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks.

Report back in a few days time to let us know how it's going. I'm keeping my fingers crossed :-)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Just a point of clarification. The occurrence of powdery mildew has nothing to do with overhead watering.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
is the root out the bottom of the pot large?? .. is the pot hole strangling that root ... if it is.. then its really on ONLY what moisture is in the pot ..

that is a HUGE tree in a relatively tiny pot... and since you say its filled with dirt.. i suspect that you are also unaware potting MEDIA does wear out ... and since medias one job is water management.. when it wears out.. wait for it.. the plants suffer for lack of proper water ...

i would figure its a pot and media issue.. long before i would move to disease if bug issue ...

all of us have asked you to check the pot for moisture.. and you just keep telling us it rained ... ok .. good luck...

why is it not in the ground ...

ken
Carolina Girl (Zone 8b)
Original Author
last year
From my post above: “Ive also made a point to water this tree regulary when we’ve not had rain.”

I haven’t repotted because the tree is so big and the root has anchored the pot to the ground. I cant move it at all.

i may have to chainsaw it out of the pot (fiberglass? Foamy plastic?).
C R
last year
Japanese maples might be suited for pots but they do not like to be dried out. If it is root bound and anchored to the ground with roots, there is probably not enough soil in the pot to keep the roots from drying out, even if you have been watering it.

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