Trident Maple - Leaves showing my lack of knowledge/experience

[DanteDandre]

Hi There,

My beloved trident male is confirming my lack of knowledge and care regarding the species.

My leaves started to show signs of leaf burn as the only available place I have for this plant is in a place that receives the last 3-4hours of partial shade sunlight of the day. The rest of the daylight is reflected.

At first 2% of the leaves turned crispy brown - then a few developed brown leaf tips. To remedy this I put up a shade cloth, then the leaves did something weird and changed to different shades of green?? Showing patches of light green on the same darker green leaf.


Does anyone know what my idiocy have lead me to now? I have other bonsai species but as Murphy’s law would have it - my favorite species (Chinese maple) is the one that seems to be suffering a bit.

I have had the plant in my care for 6 weeks now

Also 60 percent of the leaves have this weird coloring and some are falling - I’m presuming for the fall..


Thanks in advance,

 

[just.wing.it]

That's a deficiency of some kind... Iron or Magnesium or something...
Search for maple nutrient deficiencies, maybe narrow it down...
I had an azalea go yellow like that, and was told to use Epsom salt in the water a few times, and sure enough it cleared right up... Not saying that you should do that, I'm saying that you should research maple nutrient deficiencies.

 

[AlainK]

Are you in the southern hemisphere? I can see big cacti/cactuses on the photos: here, it would likely die if kept outside at this time of the year.

If you mentioned your location in your profile, you would probably get better advice.

Maybe it's partly the result of heat and drought, but I also think just.wing.it is right mentioning some kind of deficiency.

And what do you call "Chinese maple"?...

 

[Clicio]

- my favorite species (Chinese maple) is the one that seems to be suffering a bit.

Well, I don't know this particular (chinese?) maple, but as a owner of some maples in Brazil I have already had some problems with scorching afternoon sun in the summer, not enough watering (they like to be watered a lot), and lack of humidity (well, this is not a problem here in the summer but it is in the winter).
As said, if you put up your location on your profile it helps a lot.

 

[DanteDandre]

Hi guys, sorry for not putting my location, I updated it now.

I am from South Africa, here these (presumably trident maples) are sold as Chinese maples. I tried hard to find the scientific name but with fail. It could even be Japanese but the lanes say Chinese. I love this variety but struggle to find nursery stock of it.

That’s great I will check the water levels or maybe add a humidity tray- it is very dry here and I have only two months before winter.

My plan is to have one of my two (if I can’t find nursery stock) put into a large plastic container and grow it into a two meter tree or shrub so that I can hopefully take cuttings and afford the opportunity to play around with them.

Perhaps it’s a nutrition deficiency, I’m using a product called Nitrosoil - perhaps I’m not using it frequent enough or strong enough.


Yes those cacti are dragon Fruits - they seem to handle this environment strangely enough.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I am from South Africa, here these (presumably trident maples) are sold as Chinese maples.

Welcome to the site!

Living in Johannesburg, you are probably in USDA Zone 9B or 10A.

Depending how hot and dry you are in the summer, you are probably in a very similar climate to those of us here in Southern California. Trident and Japanese Maples can be grown here if you protect them from the sun and drying winds. The leaves will crisp in one day if you have them out in full sun when a hot wind is blowing. I have been successful keeping them under 60% shade cloth all summer long.

How is your water - particularly your pH? Maples like acidic soil, and if your soil becomes alkaline, the tree may be prevented from absorbing critical minerals like iron and magnesium. In our case, our water has a very high pH (8.0 out of the tap) so I fertilize with an acid fertilizer. Based on the apperance of your tree's leaves, I would check your water and your soil to see if you have a pH issue.

 

[DanteDandre]

Welcome to the site!

Living in Johannesburg, you are probably in USDA Zone 9B or 10A.

Depending how hot and dry you are in the summer, you are probably in a very similar climate to those of us here in Southern California. Trident and Japanese Maples can be grown here if you protect them from the sun and drying winds. The leaves will crisp in one day if you have them out in full sun when a hot wind is blowing. I have been successful keeping them under 60% shade cloth all summer long.

How is your water - particularly your pH? Maples like acidic soil, and if your soil becomes alkaline, the tree may be prevented from absorbing critical minerals like iron and magnesium. In our case, our water has a very high pH (8.0 out of the tap) so I fertilize with an acid fertilizer. Based on the apperance of your tree's leaves, I would check your water and your soil to see if you have a pH issue.

Thank you, I would have no idea as to the PH levels, still taking baby steps into the hobby
The winds here are rather dry and in summer quite scorching. California seems like a really nice place to stay!!

 

[AlainK]

these (presumably trident maples) are sold as Chinese maples.

Huh huh hu...

Kidding aside, from what I can read, there temps don't go below zero (Celsius), hard to keep a tree that needs a dormant period in the "winter".

Frankly you sould try other species. If Acer buergerianum can't go into dormancy, the chance that it will thrive are very low...

Try Acer discolor, etc.

 

[just.wing.it]

Oh yeah, welcome to the Nut House!

 

[DanteDandre]

Huh huh hu...

Kidding aside, from what I can read, there temps don't go below zero (Celsius), hard to keep a tree that needs a dormant period in the "winter".

Frankly you sould try other species. If Acer buergerianum can't go into dormancy, the chance that it will thrive are very low...

Try Acer discolor, etc.

Oh dear

If that’s the case my last resort would be to keep the bonsai super small and force dormancy by putting it in a freezer for 3months..... (sad face)

Acer discolor?!?!?!? What????!!! You solved the mystery that I have been struggling so much with!!!! ?

Thank you!!

 

[DanteDandre]

Oh yeah, welcome to the Nut House!

Thank you, just five replies here in this thread and I have learned more than I did in a months research which is limited to how can I say this politely.... “ill informed, confusing and down right incorrect information”

Thanks again guys. Now that I even have my favorite plants scientific name, I will try putting a cheaper nursery stock in each corner of the garden and even in the freezer if I have to.

Hopefully there is hope for the one I have ?

 

[sorce]

SA! I was gonna guess Texas!
@Dorian Fourie @YukiShiro we got a recent Newb too...but I can't recall the name.

You have Recieved a lot of good info, definitely research fungus, search here with author smoke, there's a good thread.

Not that you have fungus, but knowing in the future will help you FIX an actual problem, rather than thinking it may be stiff like this..

Perhaps it’s a nutrition deficiency, I’m using a product called Nitrosoil - perhaps I’m not using it frequent enough or strong enough.

While a nutrient deficiency is possible, if you ever get to this point where you have questions....it is always best to just water more than you think you should, and seek real answers. No fert no moving no pruning no plucking...just a lot of water until you can figure it out.

Ok.ok....

Now Sorce Help...

#youryardyourgarden
#backwardsworld

All the books tell you your spot right there is pretty good. I argue you MIGHT be better off schticking them on stands right in the middle of the yard out in full sun.
The yellow area looks the best on this picture.
At first glance it seems you are pretty protected from the wind, since it is a rather walled off space...

But we can not ignore fluid dynamics..
https://www.google.com/search?q=flu...ndroid-att-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

And how important it is to our bonsai worlds in so many aspects.

The most important thing to consider, in researching what air is doing in your yard...

ALL THE RADIANT HEAT THAT WIND IS PICKING UP BEFORE IT REACHES YOUR TREE'S LEAVES.

The Black metal fence and posts so close is enough to raise local temperatures by at least a few degrees alone.

The Walls, the entire brick floor, the metal roof, The...MOTHERFUCKING SOUTH AFRICA ! Lol!

Even if your wind is slight, or even none, hell, if it was a constant 20kph you may be BETTER OFF, as it would be cooler then. Just a bitch to water!

IMO....

Don't water your leaves to prevent fungus...

Do water THE SHIT out of your trees, the brick, the roof, the walls....if at all possible.
If not....you must correct EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CAN!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Nitrosoil appears to be a fertilizer and it should say on the label the NPK percentages—you might be over feeding it. As for water pH are you on municipal water or groundwater? If municipal they they can tell you the pH they treat to. If groundwater is it from a limestone aquifer, sandstone, fractured rock, or sand? If limestone you probably have a fairly high pH. The discoloration could be chlorosis due to high a pH and you can adjust that using fertilizer designed for acid loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and tohers—ask at a local nursery or check out the shelves at a large hardware store.

 

[DanteDandre]

SA! I was gonna guess Texas!
@Dorian Fourie @YukiShiro we got a recent Newb too...but I can't recall the name.

You have Recieved a lot of good info, definitely research fungus, search here with author smoke, there's a good thread.

Not that you have fungus, but knowing in the future will help you FIX an actual problem, rather than thinking it may be stiff like this..



While a nutrient deficiency is possible, if you ever get to this point where you have questions....it is always best to just water more than you think you should, and seek real answers. No fert no moving no pruning no plucking...just a lot of water until you can figure it out.

Ok.ok....

Now Sorce Help...

#youryardyourgarden
#backwardsworld

All the books tell you your spot right there is pretty good. I argue you MIGHT be better off schticking them on stands right in the middle of the yard out in full sun.
The yellow area looks the best on this picture.View attachment 186056
At first glance it seems you are pretty protected from the wind, since it is a rather walled off space...

But we can not ignore fluid dynamics..
https://www.google.com/search?q=flu...ndroid-att-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

And how important it is to our bonsai worlds in so many aspects.

The most important thing to consider, in researching what air is doing in your yard...

ALL THE RADIANT HEAT THAT WIND IS PICKING UP BEFORE IT REACHES YOUR TREE'S LEAVES.

The Black metal fence and posts so close is enough to raise local temperatures by at least a few degrees alone.

The Walls, the entire brick floor, the metal roof, The...MOTHERFUCKING SOUTH AFRICA ! Lol!

Even if your wind is slight, or even none, hell, if it was a constant 20kph you may be BETTER OFF, as it would be cooler then. Just a bitch to water!

IMO....

Don't water your leaves to prevent fungus...

Do water THE SHIT out of your trees, the brick, the roof, the walls....if at all possible.
If not....you must correct EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CAN!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

ThNk you for the huge effort, yes you make a lot of sense

 

[DanteDandre]

Nitrosoil appears to be a fertilizer and it should say on the label the NPK percentages—you might be over feeding it. As for water pH are you on municipal water or groundwater? If municipal they they can tell you the pH they treat to. If groundwater is it from a limestone aquifer, sandstone, fractured rock, or sand? If limestone you probably have a fairly high pH. The discoloration could be chlorosis due to high a pH and you can adjust that using fertilizer designed for acid loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and tohers—ask at a local nursery or check out the shelves at a large hardware store.

Thank you, it’s municipal but here the water ph will change quite dramatically and the service is unreliable ?

 

[DanteDandre]

SA! I was gonna guess Texas!
@Dorian Fourie @YukiShiro we got a recent Newb too...but I can't recall the name.

You have Recieved a lot of good info, definitely research fungus, search here with author smoke, there's a good thread.

Not that you have fungus, but knowing in the future will help you FIX an actual problem, rather than thinking it may be stiff like this..



While a nutrient deficiency is possible, if you ever get to this point where you have questions....it is always best to just water more than you think you should, and seek real answers. No fert no moving no pruning no plucking...just a lot of water until you can figure it out.

Ok.ok....

Now Sorce Help...

#youryardyourgarden
#backwardsworld

All the books tell you your spot right there is pretty good. I argue you MIGHT be better off schticking them on stands right in the middle of the yard out in full sun.
The yellow area looks the best on this picture.View attachment 186056
At first glance it seems you are pretty protected from the wind, since it is a rather walled off space...

But we can not ignore fluid dynamics..
https://www.google.com/search?q=flu...ndroid-att-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

And how important it is to our bonsai worlds in so many aspects.

The most important thing to consider, in researching what air is doing in your yard...

ALL THE RADIANT HEAT THAT WIND IS PICKING UP BEFORE IT REACHES YOUR TREE'S LEAVES.

The Black metal fence and posts so close is enough to raise local temperatures by at least a few degrees alone.

The Walls, the entire brick floor, the metal roof, The...MOTHERFUCKING SOUTH AFRICA ! Lol!

Even if your wind is slight, or even none, hell, if it was a constant 20kph you may be BETTER OFF, as it would be cooler then. Just a bitch to water!

IMO....

Don't water your leaves to prevent fungus...

Do water THE SHIT out of your trees, the brick, the roof, the walls....if at all possible.
If not....you must correct EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CAN!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

Yes the yellow are is the best place, however that is the place my father in law keeps his dragon fruits ?

 

[queenofsheba52]

Hello DanteDandre!

You might want to obtain some pH test strips to test the acidity of your water. Here in the USA, a package of test strips can be purchased from Amazon. If you can't obtain the test strips, a local nursery or even the Chemistry teacher at a local school should be able to test your water.

Good luck and keep learning.

 

[sorce]

Yes the yellow are is the best place, however that is the place my father in law keeps his dragon fruits ?

They must be kept dry? The dragonfruits?

I think your spot there may work with tiny adjustments.

A shade canopy brought over the edge of the roof a bit could seriously keep temps down around the fence....

Of course...you can do like me and just keep the trees tough enough to enjoy the conditions!

Sorce

 

[Dorian Fourie]

Hi There,

My beloved trident male is confirming my lack of knowledge and care regarding the species.

My leaves started to show signs of leaf burn as the only available place I have for this plant is in a place that receives the last 3-4hours of partial shade sunlight of the day. The rest of the daylight is reflected.

At first 2% of the leaves turned crispy brown - then a few developed brown leaf tips. To remedy this I put up a shade cloth, then the leaves did something weird and changed to different shades of green?? Showing patches of light green on the same darker green leaf.


Does anyone know what my idiocy have lead me to now? I have other bonsai species but as Murphy’s law would have it - my favorite species (Chinese maple) is the one that seems to be suffering a bit.

I have had the plant in my care for 6 weeks now

Also 60 percent of the leaves have this weird coloring and some are falling - I’m presuming for the fall..


Thanks in advance,

Hi Dante

Welcome to the page.

Where in JHB are you based as what works for me, may not work for you.

Trident maples can be very fickle and it depends on the air movement, hot, cold, soil you have it in, have you or havent you fertilized etc etc etc. You say you have only had it for 6 weeks so it could also be that it is adapting from the area that you got it from.

Are you part of a club.? If not, join one ASAP. You will be with like minded individuals who would be able to look at your maple and advise first hand as to what it could be. Also you will gain hands on knowledge that nothing on the internet can provide.

 

[DanteDandre]

Hi Dante

Welcome to the page.

Where in JHB are you based as what works for me, may not work for you.

Trident maples can be very fickle and it depends on the air movement, hot, cold, soil you have it in, have you or havent you fertilized etc etc etc. You say you have only had it for 6 weeks so it could also be that it is adapting from the area that you got it from.

Are you part of a club.? If not, join one ASAP. You will be with like minded individuals who would be able to look at your maple and advise first hand as to what it could be. Also you will gain hands on knowledge that nothing on the internet can provide.

Thank you, I’m in the Bedford View area. I see my tridents have sort of pause in their (presumably deteriorating state) and put out a few leaves. The maples and oaks in the streets seem to be on their last grip of their leaves-