Collected Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)

[RKatzin]

The Vine maple is usually the highlight of our fall colors, but this year was a very poor showing due to an early fall freeze. Almost all deciduous trees just browned out and I had to remove all leaves on my trees by hand. Looking forward now to the beautiful spring emergence of this species.

 

[NHATIVE]

Did you have any more photos of this through fall? I wanna see how things went.

Definitely missed getting decent photos of color this year, but here's the one I got. Leaves seemed to stagger off and brown at the tips quicker than expected, but I think the weather here may have had something to do with it. Either way it grew strong this year.

 

[NHATIVE]

Update : buds swelling and decided to go for a repot. Super strong growth this summer, and needless to say the roots not only recovered, but exploded in growth. With an already shallow root system, it wasn't hard to get it into a shallow pot.

Initial wiring was done sometime after leaf drop. Will try for better pictures soon.

 

[NHATIVE]

The rain and hail passed for a quick sun burst this afternoon so I went and grabbed a better photo.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Nice efforts, nice pot!

I do think the tree is planted too high for effective watering. I’ll be interested in seeing how you develop the nebari.

Looking forward to hearing more about how your tree progresses.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[NHATIVE]

Nice efforts, nice pot!

I do think the tree is planted too high for effective watering.

Looking forward to hearing more about how your tree progresses.

cheers
DSD sends

Thank you for the comments! Interestingly enough I originally had it set lower, but wanted the nebari to show running down the soil surface a bit more, as it flares at a downward angle, so I raised it up a touch.

They are really resilient trees and grow like weeds around here so I feel hopeful it will do well, but that is a great observation that I truthfully didn't take into consideration. Would you advise any techniques for compensation? I definitely still consider myself novice, and appreciate the opportunity to learn.

Thank you!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Sure thing.

Normally when a tree is planted high like this the water tends to run off and down, rather than in and out.

This usually happens when a tree is left in the pot a long time, rather then by design. In fact I have a couple two needle pines I just received. I’ve included a photo to illustrate what I’m talking about.

If you have to keep the tree planted high, which might not be a great idea, water slowly and thoroughly. Wait 10 minutes and return to do it again. Be sure water is flowing freely out of the holes on bottom. However the situation will only get worse over time.

As far as the nebari goes, so folks, many in fact, say nebaris are made, not grown. You might want to look up the Ebihara method for nebari development. Check it out.

Cheers
DSD sends

This Tree seriously needs a repot!


The bottom of the pot is bulging downwards!

 

[Forrestford]

Cool tree, I've gone down the Vine Maple rabbit hole... Any pics in leaf?

 

[NHATIVE]

So I had this same chlorosis issue happen last year. The water out of my tap has a very high pH (average 8.5-8.8), and last year started adding pH down solution at each watering. It definitely helped, but not definitely. This year have been adjusting the pH, and it is once again showing signs of chlorosis. I am also noticing lime buildup on the pot and nebari. Could these be correlated?

The tree is very strong otherwise, but I'd love to get this sorted out... Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Hmm…. It’s usually not about pH it’s about dissolved solids esp calcium carbonate. Btw your tree should be out in the rain right now and our rainwater pH is usually about 6.2 out here.

A couple things that are running through my mind right no…... What’s your media…? What fertilizer are you using on this tree?

Anyways, off the cuff I’d recommend using Miracid and also Osmocote Plus. Start with a spray bottle full strength Miracid mixture on the leaves for say 3 days per week for a couple weeks. Follow up with the ferts after week one. Then Miracid every other week unless things get hot, then skip until normal Seattle temps. Remember the Osmocote Plus is only good for 2-3 months usually unless you can get a commercial grade.

Also check out this thread esp @Leo in N E Illinois comments

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Sorry. Here’s the link…

Reading the Tree Leaves

I took some photos of some of my leaves. I don't have the horticultural knowledge to diagnose my problems, so I am posting here in the hopes that BNutters can let me know what information these leaves are trying to tell me. Not all of these trees are going to progress with me beyond my first...

www.bonsainut.com

DSD sends

 

[NHATIVE]

Hmm…. It’s usually not about pH it’s about dissolved solids esp calcium carbonate. Btw your tree should be out in the rain right now and our rainwater pH is usually about 6.2 out here.

A couple things that are running through my mind right no…... What’s your media…? What fertilizer are you using on this tree?

Anyways, off the cuff I’d recommend using Miracid and also Osmocote Plus. Start with a spray bottle full strength Miracid mixture on the leaves for say 3 days per week for a couple weeks. Follow up with the ferts after week one. Then Miracid every other week unless things get hot, then skip until normal Seattle temps. Remember the Osmocote Plus is only good for 2-3 months usually unless you can get a commercial grade.

Also check out this thread esp @Leo in N E Illinois comments

cheers
DSD sends

Thanks for the reply! It's currently planned in a lava mix with Douglas fir bark mixed in as well. Fertilizing with biogold. I've been using a KDF/Carbon in line hose filter in addition to the pH down solution.

I just tested the pH of the water after filtration, filtered with pH down, and filtered with pH down coming out of the pot. Results are 8.5, 6.0, and 6.2 respectively.

It has also been out in the rain all winter and spring and has only been getting watered occasionally as soil surface dries.

I'd like to find a solution that can address the problem at the watering stage, but also if the problem can be remedied at the soil level, would like to address it that way next spring at repot.

For what it's worth I just got some miracid and fertilized with that, will see if that helps.

 

[NHATIVE]

Update :

Due for a repot after two years and wanted to change soils. 100% akadama planted on a locally collected slab. Looking forward to this growing season and hoping the soil swap, updated fertilizer and watering regimen, and fungi/bacterial inoculation will aid in some of the chlorosis issues this tree has been experiencing in the past.

 

[Potawatomi13]

I do think the tree is planted too high for effective watering.

Consider how tree on slab is situated in same or usually worse situation. With diligent watering/proper substrate these can do very well.

 

[Potawatomi13]

The bottom of the pot is bulging downwards!

! Repot repot REPOT

 

[jradics]

Olympic National Forest is a magical place. Can’t believe you can get permits to collect... so cool! Congrats on the interesting looking tree and wish it well.

Y'ALL GET PERMITS?