Katsura Post leaf wilt/defoliation issue

[81Libra]

Hi,
I’ll start by saying I’m super new to bonsai I am gradually learning how great this community is and how shared ideas, thoughts and opinions have made me that much more endeared to bonsai.

I bought a Katsura back in late April and really fell in love with the cultivar. When I got the try it looked to be in great shape with very thin yellow leaves, pushing nice long healthy shoots. It came potted in fairly course river sand, coco husks in an 8” (W) x 5” (D pot. I live >4k feet above see level. However it gets very hot in summer (90s-low 100s). It would get morning sun for 1-2hrs then shade. I was watering twice a day. After a couple of weeks the leaves started showing signs of stress. Then I started to see moderately sized black spots on leaves with wilting. I ended up loosing a bunch of leaves and also defoliated a bunch that looked bad and it ended up being close to total defoliation. I decided to repot (out of season) because it didn’t seem to be draining well. The soil was very tight and compact and did a very light root prune due to root bound. Used a simple clay pot roughly same size, in Aoki blend. In mid May I did get a small weak 2nd flush at the crown. But it’s been well over 2 months and I’m still not seeing a second flush on the mid and lower branches. Any ideas on if I will ever see new leaves on these branches or am I SOL? Reallly don’t want to loose these branches, or forbid, the whole tree. Any ideas or thoughts? Cheers!

1. Before defoliation- 4/16/24
2. After def and repot- 5/15/24
3. 2 weeks ago- 7/10/24

 

[rockm]

Location, location, location...We need to know where you are to help effectively--provide geographic location (state, region--doesn't have to be specific) in your avatar to the left.

Also is this tree being kept inside?

Repot and defoliation and excessive watering would seem to be suspects to me anyway. Watering twice a day may or may not be good. That depends on what the tree needs. Black spot would indicate to me that the tree was being overwatered. Best thing to do is to monitor the tree's watering needs--soil shouldn't be constantly wet. Should dry down a bit--like an inch into the top of the soil. A few hours of sun in the am, shade in the pm. Get it outside if it's inside.

 

[81Libra]

Location, location, location...We need to know where you are to help effectively--provide geographic location (state, region--doesn't have to be specific) in your avatar to the left.

Also is this tree being kept inside?

Repot and defoliation and excessive watering would seem to be suspects to me anyway. Watering twice a day may or may not be good. That depends on what the tree needs. Black spot would indicate to me that the tree was being overwatered. Best thing to do is to monitor the tree's watering needs--soil shouldn't be constantly wet. Should dry down a bit--like an inch into the top of the soil. A few hours of sun in the am, shade in the pm. Get it outside if it's inside.

Thanks for your input rockm. I live in Southern Colorado, USA. I keep the tree outside. Have you ever had a JM not have a second flush of growth after defoliating? On my Tridents, they seem to pop a new growth like crazy after defoliating, almost instantly lol.

 

[Paradox]

IDK but I was always told that Japanese maples werent to be completely defoliated because it is really risky to do that to them whereas tridents can take it like a champ and just keep growing

 

[81Libra]

IDK but I was always told that Japanese maples werent to be completely defoliated because it is really risky to do that to them whereas tridents can take it like a champ and just keep growing

Paradox, yep, I believe I’ve heard that as well. I’ve heard a healthy trident can be defoliated 2 or even 3 times a season but not simultaneously. My Katsura lost a bunch of leaves on its own and I defoliated a moderate amount mainly because they were unhealthy and probably would’ve lost them anyway. I guess all I can do is limit the stress and get better at knowing when to water and how much sun and keep my fingers crossed. Being new to bonsai, I didn’t realize how much it would suck to get a sick tree. Way worse than I thought. I’m also learning that patience can be a good friend. Cheers for your advice.