First, forgive me, I only started bringing home outdoor plants in the last year and a half. My Maple's leaves have started to curl and get crunchy in varying degrees, mainly at the ends of the branches and worse near the bottom of the tree. I probably didn't get the worst example with my attached photo but the worst in a few small areas is dark, curled and crunchy. When I scrape the branches near the ends it it green underneath. I bought this maple a year and a a half ago. It is 6 years old and has always been in the pot it is in now. I have kept it on our patio out of direct sun and tried to keep it out of the wind as well. We watered twice per week when it was really hot in the summer and then over the last month have been watering once per week. I wrapped the pot up for winter but a bit late as we had that one cold week. Is it watering? We just watered it yesterday. I'm so in love with this tree I'm worried. What can I do and if needed, who could I call to come and help me?
Hi Allison and welcome to the maples forum. Firstly, maples lose their leaves in Autumn, so this is nothing to worry about. Doing the scrape test on a branch shows its alive. Secondly, it is best to repot every 2 years in some good free draining compost. Maples need good drainage to thrive. I carry out my repotting every early Spring before leafing out. Use a good quality compost and add some horticultural grit, that will do it fine. If you can get hold of horticultural potting pine bark, then add some into the compost mix aswell. Do not plant too deep, make sure the trunk is clear of soil etc. Garden ctrs and nurseries have a habit of planting too deep, and as time goes by the trunk rots. Re watering, I start to slow down watering pots as the maples head towards Winter sleep.October onwards where I live. They just don't need very much at all when dormant. But it is important to water pots regularly from Spring onwards. Once a week is fine unless you get extreme warm temperatures, then every other day would be needed, (mid Summer). Positioning of your maple is also important, morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. Maples are an understory tree, so do not do well in hot direct afternoon sun. Hope this helps
Some of the lower leaves are worse than this photo, much more curled up, so I thought something might be wrong. It's my first attempt with an outdoor tree. Thanks so much for the support.
I suppose New Westminster is in BC, canada, right ? Many people around where you live grow "Japanese maples", like yours, and they have gorgeous trees ; For the first autumn/winter, put it outside against a wall that keeps some heat from the house and the possible sun so it gradually adapts to your local climate (we all have "micro-climates"). But in the ground, they can stand -20° C. When potted, of course you must be careful, especially if you live in an area where frosts can last for days or weeks. Is that the case where you live ? Do you know anyone in your vicinity growing "Japanese maples" ? If so, it would be a good opportunity to exchange with your neighbours... Any full-size picture ? And never, ever put a saucer where water can stay under the pot ! The roots will rot, sooner or later, and the tree will die.
