Kiyohime Mapple help

[adidre]

Hello,

For about two weeks, I've noticed that the tree is starting to dry out from the top, and the phenomenon seems to be gradually spreading. It started at the tips of the leaves. The bonsai is located on a southwest-facing balcony in Brussels, with shade in the morning and sun in the afternoon.
I started giving it blue fertilizer about a week ago. I generally water it every 2 to 3 days when the soil is dry, making sure to water both the foliage and the soil well.
For your information, last year, about a month after receiving it, it had completely dried out, but it came back to life the following spring, producing new buds.
I'm concerned about the current situation and would like to know if you could advise me on how to care for it to help it recover.
Thank you in advance for your feedback and your invaluable help.

 

[bwaynef]

If this was my tree, I'd try watering it more often and work on getting it into an inorganic soil mix at the next appropriate repotting window (spring). That might complicate whatever issue led to it being allowed to dry out last year, but might also allow you to get into the routine of watering every day. Also, consider that after drying down last year, your roots could still be impacted

 

[rockm]

Also consider reducing the amount of afternoon sun. Japanese maples are understory trees in nature. In direct sun in shallow container that heats up sunburn and root death can happen

 

[adidre]

It was perfectly fine one month ago, then it started to dry out and the weather was not so sunny in Brussels (Belgium). I use to water it when the soil got dry only, about every 2 days to avoid overwatering.
I move it now on the side being protected by the shades.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

it has a lot of leaves.. you might need to water twice a day. Or cutting it back some might help.

 

[adidre]

I already started to trim it out.
Why do I need to water more if the soil is not dry? I normally check the soil when deciding whether to water or not. Is that not a good approach related to watering?

 

[Gabler]

I already started to trim it out.
Why do I need to water more if the soil is not dry? I normally check the soil when deciding whether to water or not. Is that not a good approach related to watering?

I would not water if the soil is moist. Water when the soil is starting to get dry (but don't wait until it is totally dry).

I would hazard a guess that your tree's roots are not healthy enough to get enough moisture out of the soil, even though the water is available for the roots to drink. As Rockm commented, excessive heat and dry soil could cause the roots to die back, and they may need more time to recover and regrow. As the summer heats up, the leaves put more and more demand on the injured roots, and the roots just can't keep up with demand. The leaves may dry out and die back as a result.

On top of that, weaker trees are more susceptible to fungus, bacteria, etc.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I already started to trim it out.
Why do I need to water more if the soil is not dry? I normally check the soil when deciding whether to water or not. Is that not a good approach related to watering?

Sorry, I skimmed your post originally.. it sounds like you are on top of watering. Did the browning on the leaves show up after you applied the new fertilizer?
If, so maybe dilute the fertilizer strength by half or a quarter?

Also morning sun is gentler, if it is an option.

 

[zita]

I already started to trim it out.

kyohime hates do be trimmed the axial way.
they like to be cut lateral.