AusBonsai

Hi all I was hoping someone could tell me why the tree on the left did not leaf out as well as the one on the right both in same mix same conditions same fert used both treated the same .
Has lots of buds but just doesn't want to seem to open
Both defoliated at the same time with in 2 days of each other .... Defoliated as all the leaves were burnt up in the hot wether we had for that hot week about a month ago
Any info would be appreciated ..

I am no expert trust me.

But what I have read on this forum, the strainer that the Japanese Maple is growing in, puts the growth structure into the roots, not the foliage.
Try matching the pots, closed in.
Ref: Swamp cypress posting using strainers to promote the root growth to get a tree further ahead very quickly.

In saying that and I give you the ref: to read for your self.

This would have to apply for most plants.

Sorry but that's not it it was in a shallow bonsai pot and I slip pot into this about a week ago hoping to put some vigour into it .

Interesting Meagi I too am interested to find the answer as well, I may come across similar circumstances later down the track (bonsai years.

I see what else I can find further a field.

Be very interested to get some thoughts on this one. I did a decent reduction on a JM about 6 weeks ago and it budded within a couple of weeks but very few have extended out.
Trying to move it around into more direct sunlight (up until midday anyway) thinking that it might have been a bit sheltered.....

Hi Meagi,
Could it be the tree in the bonsai pot responded to the added warmth the pot provided,?

My understanding is that one should only defoliate healthy trees. I believe that a tree in poor health may even sure from such a procedure.
This would lead me to guess that the tree which is struggling was perhaps not in the best health or did not have the suitable stored strength to successfully undertake the procedure.

Thanks all boics the tree that did not leaf out was in bettèr condition than the one that did .. I was hesitant to do it even the one on the right .... I did the one on the left first and after less than a weeek it started to bud swell so I thought the one on the right would be fine ..... Then the one on the left slowed right down !!
It's got me beat all my other maples are back budding and leafing rapidly !!
I have tried sunning feeding it nothing put it in Differant locations in the yard .
Only thing I can think of it maybe root bound but I know from experience to not touch roots on maples till dormant or they will surely die .... I was hoping some one could name a fert or tonic that I could feed it to snap it out of this stage .

Hi Meagi,

Just give it a rest, put it in a semi shady position, out of the hot winds and keep the water up to it! In this crazy weather conditions we've currently got makes most of the Japanese Maples struggle. Don't cut of any more burned leaves - they protect the buds underneath!!!

Again, just give it a rest - Japanese Maples have got a "mind" of their own! Good luck!

Cheers, Rudi

Hi Meagi,
A couple of questions mate.
Did you check to see if there were any Curl Grubs?
What fertilizer did you use?

Regards Ray

Meagi, my theory is:
tree in bonsai pot and good mix = adequate drainage.
tree in colander and good mix = outstanding drainage.

I would suggest that the environmental difference between the 2 pots is to blame, airflow through the potting media would be drastically different, the tree in the colander would have been more dehydrated and the buds would not have been as able to cope with re-foliation as the tree in the bonsai pot.

Cheers,
Mojo

Mojo Moyogi wrote:Meagi, my theory is:
tree in bonsai pot and good mix = adequate drainage.
tree in colander and good mix = outstanding drainage.

I would suggest that the environmental difference between the 2 pots is to blame, airflow through the potting media would be drastically different, the tree in the colander would have been more dehydrated and the buds would not have been as able to cope with re-foliation as the tree in the bonsai pot.

Cheers,
Mojo

The man lives

Im with mojo on this and i second this weather sucks. hopefully this cool change on the weekend will see the last of it!

raewynk wrote:I am no expert trust me.

But what I have read on this forum, the strainer that the Japanese Maple is growing in, puts the growth structure into the roots, not the foliage.
Try matching the pots, closed in.
Ref: Swamp cypress posting using strainers to promote the root growth to get a tree further ahead very quickly.

In saying that and I give you the ref: to read for your self.

This would have to apply for most plants.

Hi rae,
The point you raise about the roots and foliage isn't quite right. When a tree develops good roots that will reflect in good growth. The colanders are for good drainage and a number of other benefits. They are not just to get more roots.

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Sorry but that's not it it was in a shallow bonsai pot and I slip pot into this about a week ago hoping to put some vigour into it .

This is a quote from Meagi 8th February.

The problem started before even going into a more open pot.

As many people will know I have been growing trees in Colanders for over 20 years. This has never been a problem. A sick tree is the result of something else.

Regards Ray

Thanks for the correction RayM I'll get it soon. And I'll change feet again.

Sent from my GT-S5300 using Tapatalk 2

raewynk wrote:Thanks for the correction RayM I'll get it soon. And I'll change feet again.

Sent from my GT-S5300 using Tapatalk 2

Hi Rae,
Mate, bonsai is a dynamic hobby/art form, we never stop learning. The things we now know and the quality of Australian bonsai has increased exponentially.

Regards Ray