5th element
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I have a trident that last year gave me great fall color. This year it did not, just light orange and browns. What may have caused this change in color?
Trident color
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cmeg1
Imperial Masterpiece
I know light exposure and type of fertilizer can affect color.
Also temperature can effect color at certain times.
When the leaf petiole starts to break down ,the juices and energy that the leaves produce from photosynthesis start to get trapped in the leaf and cannot flow back down the outer layers of leaf and stem and back down the bark because the leaf petiole(stem) is starting to fail .So that is why they get trapped there and change color.(generally speaking).
At this time is when you want sun and just enough water to keep it alive.Too much water at this time keeps the tree pumping and the juices cannot stay trapped in the leaf.
Also at this time you can extend this critical period by keeping the leaves dry and frost free to really extend the process.When the leaves are in a state of decay they last much longer if not exposed to rain.
Frost just kills the leaf and ends it all.
Sunny days and cool nights seem to help this process of color along with only slightly moist soil and dry leaves.
I extend the process with protection from rain under clear polycarbonate pannels.And have trees small enough to put in a storage container next to the house to keep away frost.
Also temperature can effect color at certain times.
When the leaf petiole starts to break down ,the juices and energy that the leaves produce from photosynthesis start to get trapped in the leaf and cannot flow back down the outer layers of leaf and stem and back down the bark because the leaf petiole(stem) is starting to fail .So that is why they get trapped there and change color.(generally speaking).
At this time is when you want sun and just enough water to keep it alive.Too much water at this time keeps the tree pumping and the juices cannot stay trapped in the leaf.
Also at this time you can extend this critical period by keeping the leaves dry and frost free to really extend the process.When the leaves are in a state of decay they last much longer if not exposed to rain.
Frost just kills the leaf and ends it all.
Sunny days and cool nights seem to help this process of color along with only slightly moist soil and dry leaves.
I extend the process with protection from rain under clear polycarbonate pannels.And have trees small enough to put in a storage container next to the house to keep away frost.
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MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
I have a relatively large Japanese maple that went from bright red/orange last year to yellow this year. The only difference between then and now was exposure to sunlight. It received less of it this year. It really does make a difference and what is neat is that you are able, to some degree, manipulate your colors. Unsure if the difference can be as dramatic in tridents but I'm sure affected by the amount of light they receive all the same. The given of course is that the tree must be healthy and have leaves in good shape.
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jk_lewis
Masterpiece
You'll find the reason here. http://scistarter.com/blog/2013/09/why-tree-leaves-turn-red/.
Little or nothing to do with fertilizer or, really, cold weather.
Little or nothing to do with fertilizer or, really, cold weather.
Jason_mazzy
Chumono
jkl, the plant horticulturist from the McMillion Greenhouse in CLT stated fertilizer late in the season reduces and inhibits fall color, especially free nitrogen. Do you agree with that statement? Why or why not?
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
I'm not qualified to argue the point. Send an email to the author of the article I cited, and see what they say. But this is the first I've ever heard of this in all my years of working with plants.
