Help! My Japanese purple acer has given up [sad]

[GreedyBitch]

I bought three acers from the Daily Mail (approx 9cm) and two are flourishing beautifully while the third has stopped doing anything interesting and the leaves look almost scorched at the ends. There have been teeny new shoots on random stems for weeks now but they are just stuck there, not growing. Why would two of the plants do so well and the third give up? Should I chuck it away?

[CarCiKoTab]

Don't chuck it just be patient! Only one of the three acers we have, have actually done well. The other two still look like sticks but they are still alive, give it some plant feed or something.

[figgypuddings]

An old gardening trick to revive a sad acer was to bury a fish underneath! Perhaps try a smattering of fish meal and offer the plant some shade.

[upupupandaway]

Acers are prone to leaf scorch as a result of wind or strong sun. Some are more susceptible than others.
Also worth checking if your soil is acid. Have you potted them up in containers? I ask this as they will need ericaceous compost.
Might be worth feeding then sequestered iron, or a product containing this.

[WastingMyYoungYears]

Oops, my Japanese purple acer is in a pot with normal compost - it's flourishing. It really is lovely, even after 3 years < not a natural gardener.

I think my new green one might have leaf scorch though, off to Google...

[upupupandaway]

Most normal compost is acid , however it is not soil based and is lacking in nutrients.
Acers really like a sheltered spot as they can be quite delicate.

[upupupandaway]

50/50 ericaceous compost and John Innes No 3.

[GreedyBitch]

Oh, thank so much for replying, kind people. My acers are potted and are positioned in semi shade. I've used 'top notch' compost which my mum "bought off of the telly - QVC!"

I shall place the despairing acer in a less windy corner of my yard. Thanks again for all advice and suggestions.

What is 'ericaceous' compost?

[Ferguson]

The compost could possibly be TOO rich.

Ericaceous is for heathers, rhododendrons, and acers, etc.

So, get a compost for 'lime hating' plants as soon as you can. You can also water on a 'tonic' for this type of plant.

Is it a cut-leaved acer (disectum)? We have had one in the garden for thirty years.

Here's a link for more information:

www.lovethegarden.com/gardening-growing/ericaceous-lime-hating-plants

[GreedyBitch]

Thanks so much, Ferguson, for your link. I thought I'd post a photo of my acers (a flourishing one next to the rubbish one) as I don't know the answer to your question about whether it is cut-leaved.

[GreedyBitch]

I thought I should mention that the rubbish acer started its life in the exact same sized pot as its blooming cohorts!

[Ferguson]

Glad you've got one flourishing anyway!

No, it's not cut-leaved (dissectum), it's ordinary 'palmatum' (like a 'hand'). But it looks very healthy, and should do well. Protect it in the winter - not too wet, or frozen, or windy.

Unless you particularly want it in a container long-term, it would also be fine in the garden provided soil isn't limy.

(You can get soil-test kits to check pH (acid or alkali) but you probably don't want to go to those lengths!)

Here is a nice Dissectum, so you can try that next time:

www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/74232/Cut-leaved-Japanese-maple/Details

[CuttedUpPear]

Greedy I would say that the pot the small one is in is too small. With all this dry weather it will dry out very quickly in a pot that size, not to mention its roots getting hot.

Repot it in a bigger pot with ericaceous compost and give it a saucer underneath a a water reservoir.